Crowds gather in Worcester to watch Queen's funeral

A crowd of about 200 people met in Cathedral Square in Worcester on Monday to watch the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II on a large screen.

All ages gathered to pay their respects to the Queen watching soberly as the service enfolded – even as rain showers fell briefly – rising for the national anthem and two-minute silence as the ceremony came to a close.

The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, who died the nation’s longest-reigning monarch on September 8 aged 96, took place at Westminster Abbey and was attended by around 2,000 guests including members of the Royal Family, dozens of world leaders and other dignitaries.

Marie Bradley, 37, from Ronskwood, who watched the funeral service in Cathedral Square with her mum Janet, paid tribute to the “beautiful and inspirational” Queen.

READ MORE: Worcester streets empty as city falls silent for Queen’s funeral

“It has been a sad couple of weeks for us in our house to be honest, but today is such a big event for everyone, it’s so historic, and we wanted to pay our tributes in what way we could.

“She was so lovely. It’s funny to think she has just been there all through my life, through everything and we never even met her.

“It’s nice to see so many people turn up here and the service was just so beautiful. Really touching. It was a really fitting send-off.”

Crowds had gathered in Cathedral Square in the hours leading up to the start of the service while the rest of the city centre remained silent with streets and most shops empty.

READ MORE: Community gather at the Alma Tavern for the Queen's funeral

John Manley from Warndon said it was important for him to pay his respects, calling the Queen a “wonderful and caring leader.”

“The Queen is part of mine and our country’s history and coming here today is the least I could do,” he said.

“The Royal Family is very important to me. It’s part of what makes us British. She always showed compassion and she showed us what was right, and she was good to us.”