The multi-day event has been systematically divided into six parts with my thoughts and feelings meticulously documented.
1 In loving memory of Her Majesty!
2 The Crown can never be Headless!
3 Home, for one last time!
4 The Grand Preparation!
5 Goodbye Buckingham, Goodbye Home!
6 The Acceptance!
In loving Memory of Her Majesty!
I woke up from an afternoon nap that left me with a headache. Although I don't typically nap during the day, working long shifts for the past three days caused me to doze off. Upon checking my phone, I received a message from a dear friend who lives in the States that made my heart race. "Is it true that the queen has passed away?"
I spent the next few hours visiting various news sites and scanning the news. The overwhelming emotions that I experienced were unknown to me. To clear my head, I went for an evening walk. Everywhere I looked, there were images of her majesty, which made the atmosphere feel solemn and left me feeling restless.
Then it dawned upon me; an aspiring journalist, the biggest story ever, the overwhelmed feeling, made a connection. Instantly, checking my account, the weekly wage coming on Friday was mentioned there. I got my strength, booked the tickets for the next day and departed to London to document this photo series.
People gather outside Buckingham Palace to pay their respect.
A man waits in the crowd with the letter and flowers, to pay his respect to his beloved Queen.
A little girl talks to a reporter dressed in black with a bouquet in her hands.
A Paddington bear kept in memory of the queen among the flower bouquets. It vividly reminds of the comedy sketch done by the queen with the Paddington bear for her Platinum Jubliee.
A cameraman recording a pile of flowers outside Buckingham palace.
A lad selling roses at Green Park, London.
A heartfelt message to the Queen by an 11-year-old.
A grateful message to the queen by a kid. The horses and corgis are drawn with the queen reminding of her unconditional love for the same.
A grateful remembrance to the queen.
The Crown can never be Headless!
After the queen's demise, the first order of business is to proclaim the new monarch. The former Prince of Wales Charles has now succeeded as King Charles III. On Sep 10th, after the official proclamation of the new monarch, the flags were put at full mast for over 24 hours before flowing back to half mast. The once Buckingham Palace, home to the queen for 70 years, was now His official home. The Queen served the Crown till her last breath and now it was his duty. No time to grieve his beloved mother, the priority is to take on her legacy.
People cheer as the royal convoy emerged from Buckingham palace.
A lady shoots a video of the royal convoy as it passes through the crowd.
The crowd greets their new monarch on the first glimpse of 'His Majesty' King Charles III.
The crowd waves to King Charles III inside a 1950 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV state limousine as the royal convoy passes. This car was built 72 years ago for Queen Elizabeth when she was still a princess. Originally it was in Edinburgh green colours with several modifications made by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, as it was their private car. After Princess Elizabeth succeeded on the throne, this became her official state car, repainted in the sovereign’s colour scheme of royal claret and black.
Home, for one Last Time!
It was my third day witnessing these moments. The time was half past three, the skies were grey, and it was pouring down heavily. The crowd was slowly increasing. The whole atmosphere was very sombre often interrupted by the passing evening traffic. The Queen was coming back to her capital. And for the one last time to her home, to her Buckingham Palace.
After lying in state at St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, the Queen's coffin left for Edinburg airport, with the RAF Globemaster C17 taking off at 6 pm and landing in RAF Northolt around 7 pm. Police from all over the UK were stationed in London. They have been doing very long and tiring shifts. While interacting with one of the officers, I asked how tiring it might be to stand for so long. His reply was if I am standing, so are you. We all are here for her. It is for her majesty. It showed me the admiration the people had for their queen, and the zest of it was visible in each face present in the crowd.
In absolute silence, the only noise that could be heard was rain and the occasional passing of the police bikes. In my words, I could describe the feeling as a tear-drop. For much of the Brits and the world, she was the only monarch known. Everybody in actuality knew that this day will come, but nobody anticipated seeing this day. She was a symbol of stability and constant for the British and most people admired her as a motherly figure. I was looking forward to a much sombre moment when she will finally pass, maybe some crying. I was a little tense that the capturing sound of my camera might upset someone, but what I witnessed next shook me.
As the roaring sound of BMW bikes of the Metropolitan Police Special Escort Group was heard, the signal was loud and clear that their beloved queen was coming. The once silent crowd erupted into claps and cheers turning the whole atmosphere into a spectacular grand welcome. It dawned on me that this moment was not lugubrious. Yes, the crowd was sad that the queen died, but they were celebrating her remarkable life. The queen was returning to her palace for the very last time, and it should be a grand one. 'Hip Hip hurray', the crowd was clapping and cheering.
On a very personal note, I was shaken from the core by what I just witnessed. My initial impression of the whole scenario was very different. I was expecting a very solemn atmosphere when the queen will pass. But I was wrong. It showed me the power of a personality known by every living individual. She used to say, 'I have to be seen to be believed.' And that day I saw her, physically she was in her coffin but her aura was reflected in every eye present in that crowd.
The love the people showered on her that day made me realise, maybe this is what we try to achieve in life; requisite respect and admiration at the very end. It is difficult to say about everyone, but I have that desire hidden somewhere inside me and witnessing that event might have triggered that emotion. 'You all right?' The voice of the officer standing near me stopped the crowd chanting 'Hip Hip Hurray' in my head. 'I'm good, Thankyou', was my reply and I just walked away from that place.
People waiting in the rain.
This once-busy road leading to the Constitutional Hill will be empty for the queen's convoy to pass.
A man clicks a picture of the crowd on his phone.
As the queen's convoy is soon arriving in Buckingham, the police are making sure to keep the route empty.
The Metropolitan Police Special Escort Group.
This hearse has been designed by the Jaguar-LandRover and the royal household. It is believed that the queen has herself given the final approval for the design of her hearse. It is designed to give the public a clear view of the coffin with wide windows, a back window, thin panels and a clear glass top with spotlights to illuminate the casket.
The Royal Hearse and the convoy passed to the Constitutional Hill with the final stop at Buckingham Palace.
The Grand Preparation!
The Mall getting ready for the Royal Procession.
The Mall getting ready for the Royal Procession.
The Mall
An event of such magnitude requires the media to be at their absolute best. As soon as the queen expired, 'Operation London Bridge' triggered the media outlets in the UK and the world. BBC, UK’s public broadcast service, has been secretly practising the broadcast of the queen's funeral for 30 years, yet it has to be executed on short-time notice. And they did a perfect job. This perfection came with extreme dedication, hard work and passion of the media people.
A BBC Journalist takes notes of the royal procession; minute details are necessary for the perfect coverage.
The camera and the cameraperson for the coverage of the Royal Procession
A man talks to BFMTV, France.
International media from various countries were present. A journalist and a camera person from BFMTV, France.
TVEO Television Latina.
Standing in long and tiring shifts, still keeping the morale of the crowd high.
Standing in long and tiring shifts, still keeping the morale of the crowd high.
A volunteer!
The crowd showered their claps and cheers for the volunteers.
A volunteer!
A police horse appreciation picture.
Preparation in Wellington Barracks for the Royal Procession.
Preparation in Wellington Barracks for the Royal Procession.
A mother looks at her son as he is busy watching the horses in the Wellington Barracks.
Ice cream time!
A father carries his little son on his shoulders.
Goodbye Buckingham, Goodbye Home!
As the rain stopped, the clouds started dispersing to make way for the rays. The Buckingham started illuminating as the sun shined. It was at its regal best to commemorate the royal procession for the queen. It will be her final departure from her home, bidding her adieu.
Rupert Frere, an award-winning British Army Command Master Photographer.
A person sits under a tree reading a book, detached from the crowd. The queen served her people till her last breath, with death coming to her as her retirement. This picture signifies the 'calmness of the person ' as her retirement while the 'commotion of the crowd' is her busy life.
At 2:22 pm, as the Scot Guards and the Grenadier Guards started playing the funeral march, the Royal Procession proceeded with the Metropolitan Police officers on horses.
The procession was followed by the Life Guards.
The procession was followed by the Life Guards.
The lifeguards were followed by The Scott Guards and the Grenadier guards playing the funeral march. The whole tempo of the march was at 75 beats per minute, which is ideal for a sombre ceremony.
The band of the Scott Guards and Grenadier Guards played the funeral march.
Captain Amy Cooper riding on the veteran horse Lord Firebrand led the procession to the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Seven black horses drew the gun carriage carrying the queen's coffin.
To the side of the coffin were the ten Pall Bearers who were former serving armed forces equerries to Elizabeth II. They were at her side in uniform throughout her reign, supporting her at engagements and organising her public diary. Also, ahead of the coffin walked the royal staff of the queen.
The Queen's coffin rested upon the gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. It was draped in the Royal Standard, representing the Sovereign and the UK, with the Imperial State Crown gracing on top.
King Charles III and Princess Royal Anne walked behind the Queen's coffin, the brother and sister behind their mother.
The Prince of Wales, William and the Duke of Sussex, Harry, the two brothers walked together behind their grandmother's coffin.
The Acceptance!
Cardiff Castle.
Welsh Patriotism was on a high note with the proud waving of the welsh flag.
The excitement to see the new King!
Heddlu De Cymru
Heddlu De Cymru
Heddlu De Cymru
Heddlu De Cymru
Children from various schools were present with high enthusiasm to welcome the new King!
A silent protest against the monarchy.
A silent protest against the monarchy.
Australia in Wales!
The arrival of the King!
The King makes his way on the 1978 Rolls Royce Phantom VI through the narrow but lively St Mary Street. This state limousine has been with the royal family for over 40 years.
For the Perfect Glimpse!
