David Beckham said he arrived in line very early.
London:
Former England captain David Beckham said it was “emotional” to pay his last respects to Queen Elizabeth II yesterday after he queued for hours all night to visit the coffin. hers.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star stood among tens of thousands of people traveling through London towards Westminster Hall to say goodbye to Britain’s longest-serving monarch.
Queen Elizabeth’s death caused a wave of emotion across the country, as people lined up for hours to pay their respects to the king, who died on September 8 at the age of 96. reigned for more than 70 years.
Her coffin is lying in its original state at Westminster Hall ahead of her funeral on Monday.
Queuing was temporarily halted on Friday after a park at the end of the line along the Thames reached capacity, the government said, with expected queue times now up to 24 hours. .
David Beckham, 47, was seen wearing a dark suit and tie as he finally made his way past the late chairman’s coffin.
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, bowed toward the catafalque, then bit his lip before leaving Westminster Hall.
“It was very emotional, and the silence and the feeling in the room are difficult to explain,” the football icon told reporters after stepping over the coffin.
“We are all there to say thank you to His Majesty for being kind, caring, reassuring throughout the years.
“She is our queen and the legacy she left is incredible.
“To lead the country the way she led our country, in the amount of time that she did, with the respect she … has earned all over the world – not just in our country – speaks volumes.”
Beckham was made an officer of the British Empire in 2003 and personally received the medal from Queen Elizabeth.
Beckham said he arrived in line at 2am hoping to avoid the main rush but was thwarted in his plans.
The former footballer also said that every time the national anthem is played at England matches, it is very special.
Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral will take place on Monday at Westminster Abbey in London, with more than 2,000 guests, including heads of state and government from around the world.
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