Queen's funeral: Nobody does it like the British, say tourists

Judith Williams and Stella Tefry from Staffordshire said there had been a "rush of warmth" for the Royal Family

People in North Yorkshire have been reflecting on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

The streets of York were busier than many places, mostly populated by tourists, as the funeral took place at Westminster Abbey in London.

Meanwhile holidaymakers in Scarborough joined local residents to watch the funeral at the Spa.

Karl Hague, who lives in the seaside town, said it had been "a moment in time special to everyone".

The Queen's "lifelong sense of duty" was remembered in her state funeral service at Westminster Abbey.

The Dean of Westminster, who led the service, expressed gratitude to a congregation of 2,000 people including world leaders and royalty.

The Very Rev David Hoyle spoke of the Queen's "unswerving commitment to a high calling over so many years as Queen and Head of the Commonwealth".

Tourists in York said they were sharing in the feeling of communal sorrow following the death of Queen Elizabeth II

Leeds, Sheffield and Hull all hosted large screens for people to gather to watch the funeral as a community.

But streets were eerily quiet in the morning as stores remained closed and workers stayed at home.

In York, Sami-Jo, 31, working for City of York Council on Goodramgate, said: "Usually Goodramgate is one of the busiest streets with lots of people coming and going, but today it's dead, just really quiet. All the pubs are really quiet too."

She added: "Before work I went to York Minster where everybody's laid flowers, so I looked at those and said a prayer, then I sat for a while watching the funeral and contemplated what it means.

"It's a massive change for the country, the biggest change in my time and for the majority of people - and a big change for the Royal Family. It's a big shame."

City of York Council worker Sami-Jo said there were mostly tourists on York's streets which were unusually quiet

On Little Stonegate in the shadow of York Minster, Judith Williams, 74, from the village of Yoxall in Staffordshire, said she had been surprised at the impact of the Queen's death and funeral.

She said: "It's been phenomenal. I didn't expect to feel as emotional about the death and the funeral of the Queen as I did.

"I'm proud of her and I'm proud of the way the country has honoured her - such fabulous pageantry, nobody does it like the British."

Floral tributes in Dean's Park, York

Stephen Clarke, 66, visiting the city from Perth, Australia, said: "I thought the funeral was immaculately choreographed."

He said he thought the British were "probably the best in the world at doing processions and memorials".

"We watched the ratings towing the gun carriage and all the regiments taking part and the pipes, such a solemn occasion, incredibly well organised," he added.

Rachael Hammond from Pateley Bridge in North Yorkshire and Stephen Clarke from Australia said the funeral had shown the vital role of the monarchy

Rachael Hammond, 59, from Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, admitted feeling mixed emotions as she praised the Queen's "life of service and dedication".

She said: "I've been a bit conflicted. It's obviously sad and the Queen was an amazing woman who led an amazing life, an incredibly privileged life, but also a life of service and dedication to the country.

"The Queen was the best example you could possibly have of a monarch, but it's also a bit tricky knowing about the wealth and the divide between rich people and poor people."

Many tourists said they were heading to York Minster to sign a book of condolence

Meanwhile Stella Tefry, 77, from Staffordshire, who was heading to York Minster to sign a book of condolence, said she felt there had been "such a rush of warmth for the Royal Family".

"We've recorded the funeral so we can watch it when we get home and wandered around York soaking up the communal feeling," she said.

After watching the ceremony at Scarborough Spa Jennifer Sykes said it had been "a very important part of history"

In Scarborough, Jennifer Sykes, on holiday in the town from Castle Donnington, said it had been "a challenge" to keep her children quiet during the service, but thought it had been "important for us to be here for the day".

"My eldest daughter is six and she's been learning a lot about it in school, and it's a big part of history and it's nice for her to be here," she said.

Scarborough locals George Wardell and Hayley Towell said "it was an important thing to be here today"

Scarborough residents George Wardell and Hayley Towell said respecting the monarchy was one of the "central facets of being British" and to have stayed at home would not have felt the same as "that sort of communal respect you can share with people".

Hayley said: "It's just a sign of respect for both of us, it wouldn't be the same if we were at home."

Heber Hargreaves and Sandra Kiely said there would not be another occasion like the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II "for a long time"

Heber Hargreaves and Sandra Kiely had travelled to Scarborough from Clitheroe in Lancashire for "a very special occasion that we couldn't afford to miss".

"As a mark of respect to the Queen we had to be here and this is a very good venue to watch it," Sandra said.

Karl Hague from Scarborough said the Queen was "owed a few minutes of everybody's time"

For Scarborough local Karl Hague it was "a moment in time that's just a little bit special to everyone".

He said: "We felt we should come down and spend a couple of minutes, because she gave a lifetime to the general public, why shouldn't we spend a few minutes thinking about her?"

Chloe Hague, Sonny Hague and Kaitlyn Byram of Scarborough Sea Cadets

Meanwhile, summing up the thoughts of some of the younger generation, Chloe Hague, 13, Sonny Hague, 14, and Kaitlyn Byram, 14, all members of Scarborough Sea Cadets, said Queen Elizabeth II had been "the only monarch that we've ever known throughout everything".

Kaitlyn said the three had "wanted to support the Queen and give our respects".

"It was really nice seeing all the different Naval Cadets that were down there in London, it was really good," she said.

A complete guide to the Queen's funeral

Today, the door swings shut on the Elizabethan era

Obituary: A long life marked by a sense of duty