Brighton stops as city witnesses Queen's funeral

Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin was escorted from Westminster Hall, where thousands had paid tribute in the past few days, to Westminster Abbey at 10.45am.

Swathes of people lined the streets to catch one final glimpse of the beloved monarch – but the scene in Brighton was a stark contrast.

The streets were bare, a smattering of people dotted along the city’s pavements. It felt like 7am on a Sunday – though electric billboards with the late Queen’s crest allayed any confusion.

Flags in Brighton were flown at half mast, while the air was thick and eerie, and a solemn feeling had fallen across a usually bustling city centre.

People were paying their last respects in the Royal Pavilion’s gardens – a few shedding quiet tears.

Ashley Probert with children Bella and Ethan, and brother John Stewart (Image: The Argus)

Since her death, flowers have been left for the Queen in the gardens, many with heartfelt messages.

One tribute read: "You did your duty for 70 years. Now it's time to rest in peace Ma'am with your beloved Philip".

Ashley Probert and her two children, Bella and Ethan, were visiting Ashley’s brother, John Stewart, in Brighton.

They had made a last-minute trip to mourn the Queen, placing flowers at the site.

“We are here for a wedding,” said Ashley. “But we really wanted to come here to pay our respects also.”

Floral tributes continue to gather at the Royal Pavilion (Image: The Argus)

Royalist or not, today was certainly an occasion that captured the city, and country.

Just three shops were open on North Street, while the odd bus drifted by – not the bustling Monday we are used to here.

The owner of souvenir shop Brilliant Britannia, who did not want to be named, said today is "just like any other day really".

He said: "It gives me chance to clean the shelves and get things ready while it's quiet."

But this was not any ordinary day.

Brighton's Churchill Square bus stops were very quiet this morning (Image: The Argus)

Horatio’s on Brighton’s Palace Pier, one of just a handful of bars in the city to open, was showing the Queen’s funeral on its big screen, usually reserved for sporting events – although today’s atmosphere was far from one of jubilation.

Usually a place of happiness and laughter, the pier was clouded with light grey skies as the calm sea gently lapped at the shore.

The beach, too, was desolate with just a handful of people on the pebbles.

Troskie and Naomi Botha travelled from Kent with their children, Esther and Jojo, to watch at the pier.

It was Naomi’s birthday, but she said it was important to catch the Queen’s funeral.

Others to pay their respects were Robert and Muriel Crayford, who had cycled from Worthing to witness the event on the big screen.

“We’re not royalists,” said Robert. “But we really do respect her and all that she’s done for our country throughout her reign.”

Robert and Muriel Crayford (Image: The Argus)

A few hundred people had packed into the outside seating area - and rather un-Britishly, the weather held out.

Some had arrived from 8am to secure the best seats, others clad in Union Flag attire, though all sharing a period of reflection, a moment of stillness and respect for their Queen.

George Vorgic in his Union Flag jumper said the Queen was "more of a mum to me than my own mother".

The service began at 11am and the area fell silent.

George Vorgic arrived at 8am (Image: The Argus)

The Queen’s coffin arrived at Westminster Abbey and was carried inside by the bearer party of Grenadier Guards ahead of the state funeral service.

The short procession from Westminster Hall, to the sound of bagpipes and with Big Ben tolling, took around eight minutes.

As the coffin entered, the Choir of Westminster Abbey sang lines, known as The Sentences, from Revelation 14:13, set to music written by William Croft and used at every state funeral since the early 18th century.

The service at Westminster Abbey concluded and many people stayed for the pier’s coverage, which will last until around 7pm.

People began chattering and sharing their happy memories of Queen Elizabeth and her 70 years on the throne.

Flags at half-mast at Brighton's war memorial (Image: The Argus)

Millions watched on television or flocked to London for the state funeral.

Peta, 59, a teacher from Bexhill in Sussex, said she came to see the final part of the Queen’s coffin procession with her sister, Pat, 57, from Bagshot in Surrey, to “be part of history” and on behalf of their elderly mother.

Speaking at the Long Walk in Windsor, Peta, who did not wish to give her last name, said: “I needed to be part of history being made and to be able to say goodbye to the Queen.

“I felt I needed to say goodbye not only for me but for people who couldn’t be here today.

“My mum is 90, so she couldn’t come and would have loved to come, so we’ve come on her behalf.

The big screen at Brighton's Palace Pier was well attended (Image: The Argus)

“I found the whole thing very emotional. I didn’t expect to be as upset as I was.

“We were literally at the front by the barrier.”

Others described the funeral as “emotional”, “overwhelming” and an “amazing spectacle” as the Queen’s coffin was led from Westminster Hall to the Abbey for the service earlier this morning.

While another said: “What an amazing tribute to an incredible woman. We were lucky to have her rule over us. We’ll not see the like of her again.”

Walking back through Brighton after the funeral, the air felt lighter and clearer as our ten days of mourning come to an end.

And while the Queen’s reign may well be over, her send-off will certainly live on in the memories of all those there to see it.