Death of Queen Elizabeth: Thousands of Britons and tourists mourn outside Buckingham – Watch video

Thousands of people gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London with tears in their eyes and spontaneously sang “God Save the Queen” as news of her death broke.

A double rainbow loomed over the London skyline shortly before the crowd fell silent as the flag was lowered, a sign that the Queen is no longer alive.

“We grew up with her always being there,” said counselor Margaret Parris, tears streaming down her face. Paris made the 20-mile (32 km) journey to the Palace after hearing earlier that the Queen was unwell.

Elizabeth died peacefully at her home in Scotland, aged 96. Her eldest son, Charles, 73, is now king.

The mood in the square outside Buckingham Palace was very different three months ago when the Queen appeared on the balcony to greet huge crowds enjoying her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Today, anguish turned to shock when her death was announced. Londoners and tourists flocked to the gate to read the official announcement.

Gradually, thousands of people began to arrive, many carrying flowers.

“I felt that history was being made here and rushed to the palace. A very special moment for my vacation,” said Nabil Dokrat, a tourist from South Africa.

The residents of Edinburgh, in Scotland, also had the feeling that this was a historic moment. “It’s one of those days when everyone will be asking, where have you been? Like, where were you when Kennedy was assassinated? Where were you on 9/11?’ explained Laura McGee, a 37-year-old lawyer. “I think people appreciate, whether they’re royalists or not, that she served the country amazingly and for many years,” he added.

In Buckingham, 22-year-old student Adam Wilkinson-Hill arrived with an armful of white lilies, on behalf of a group of friends who couldn’t be in the capital. “It’s a huge shock to the nation,” he said.

RES-EMP

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