THE Impartial Reporter spoke to some Fermanagh people who travelled to London to join with people from across the United Kingdom who wished to pay tribute to the late monarch, and to be part of the historic moment

It was a sombre and emotional experience for Catherine Lindsay as she travelled to London with her mother and sister to pay their final respects to Queen Elizabeth II.

Enniskillen woman Catherine, her mother Diannah Gott and sister Alex McKee were in London last weekend queueing for more than 12 hours to see the late Queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall, and then heading to The Mall the next day for the funeral.

When her mum brought the idea of going to London up, Catherine knew she had to go.

“I went with my mum and sister. My mum is a real Royalist – she has been to [The Queen’s] Silver, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees [events] because her brother lived in London and they used to go to The Mall to all of these things,” explained Catherine.

“They were talking about it on the radio, and mum said, ‘I’d love to go the funeral’, and I said, ‘I was thinking you probably would’, and she said, ‘Do you fancy coming with me?’, and I said I would love to go. And then my other sister decided she would go too.

“I had never experienced anything like that. It was very surreal.”

And while it was a very sombre experience, Catherine said there was great camaraderie from those who had made similar journeys to London, making the long wait along the River Thames that bit more enjoyable.

Looking back at seeing Her Majesty’s coffin and then being there in London for the funeral, Catherine said: “I would say the funeral itself was more emotional than the lying in state.

“Going into the lying in state, it was very silent, and you knew you were there paying your respects. It felt surreal walking past [Her Majesty’s coffin]; you felt really nervous when it came to your point to come up.

“When you go out after you have done it, you do give that one last look back in again. And the crown [atop the coffin] was just shimmering.”

Of the day of the funeral, Catherine continued: “You could feel the goose pimples on your body. It was very surreal but very sombre.

“It was emotional, at the part when the funeral procession passed us on The Mall.”

Jenny Humphreys, Enniskillen

“I am a real Royal fan. I have seen quite a few of the Royals through the years. I travelled to Windsor for The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations in May, 2016, and was so privileged in 2012 when I saw her at the opening of the South West Acute Hospital.

“When I heard the news of our Queen’s sad passing, I knew I would have to go to London to pay my respects.

“I booked flights for Wednesday (September 7), with Rev. Lorna Dreaning and her daughter. We arrived in central London on about 9.45am.

“The crowds were massive, but we managed to take up our position at Horse Guards Parade at about 10.45am.

“As we waited for the procession to come, we shared our memories of the Royals with the people beside us, etc.

“At 2.22pm, as her coffin set off from Buckingham Palace, the crowd automatically went into silent mode, and most bowed their head.

“You could have heard a pin drop as The Queen’s coffin, carried on the State Gun Carriage, went past us about 2.40pm.

“The Scots Guards playing the funeral march and the drum beat made it more sombre.

“I felt so privileged to be there. It was an unforgettable experience, with everlasting memories. We will miss her.”