Paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

I think we are all heartbroken at the death of our beloved Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8 September.  Whilst we knew it was inevitable, at the age of 96,  it was a shock when it came and like many people I have been watching TV coverage of the tributes.

I decided to go to Buckingham Palace this morning to pay my respects (before my normal Saturday destination!)

as I walked through Green Park towards the Palace, signs of the equipment needed to keep the world's press on air and on line, multiple generators

first glimps of Buckingham Palace with the Royal Standard flying to indicate the King (wow, it does sound odd to say that)  is in residence.

 

the white tents of the world's media , they've obviously been there since Thursday

it was still only about 7.30 am  but already a crowd of people arriving with flowers and tributes.

they have moved the previous several days flowers to areas in Green Park, due to the volumes.  they soon moved the barriers back closer to the Palace gates.

the BBC wee recording interviews with some of the public

I hung around for a bit.  the atmosphere was hushed, reverent and quite surreal.

then I got a What's App message from Kirsty who I work with, she'd spotted me on BBC news!!  

the Victoria memorial,  today not thronged with people but behind barriers

and lots of flowers have been placed around the statues 

I put a longer zoom on to get closer

I suppose it had to be done

just along from the Palace gates a few flowers had been left not behind barriers  so I could get a closer look.

some people were photographing the messages but I thought that was a bit off (unless they had left them)  

lots and lots of sunflowers 

guards on duty as usual

then I crossed the road and walked round the other side of the Victoria memorial

flowers had been poked into the gates of Green park

looking across to the Palace

the crowds are building up

my favourite radio station, Radio 5's tent 

Nicky Campbell on the left,  I listened to later on in the morning

the flowers are looking gorgeous this year

then I walked along the Mall - big Police operation in progress ready for the King's Proclamation at nearby St James Palace, which was taking place in about 3 hours time - so no, I didn't stay!

It would have been a moment of history of course, but I wasn't going to stand in a queue for that long

there are no benches along the Mall

so I headed up the Mall 

and then through Horseguards Parade

past Admiralty Arch

and across Trafalgar Square - fountains off in respect

I walked through the streets (thank goodness for maps on posts along the way)

until I got to Piccadilly Circus  - the famous big advertising displays are still on, but a huge photo of the Queen on a nearby building,  

which I'd seen on TV and wanted to see in person.

Part 2 of my Saturday - the normal one - will follow shortly.  

I jumped on the tube and headed off..