North East MPs have been among the tens of thousands of people who have visited Westminister Palace to pay their final respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
There have been reports of some people queuing for up to 14 hours, to see the late Monarch’s coffin lying in state, with the queue itself stretching back miles through London.
A number of famous faces including former England captain David Beckham have been seen waiting to pay their respects, while there has even been some controversy as MPs have been reportedly able to skip the queues while others continue to wait in line.
North East MPs Chi Onwurah and Ian Lavery have both confirmed they travelled to the capital to pay their respects.
Image: UK Parliament
Chi Onwurah, who is Newcastle Central’s MP, said: “I was very privileged to be able to see the Queen lying in state. I went to pay my respects both on my own behalf, as a Member of Parliament who swore an oath to the Queen and who has huge respect and admiration for her life and work, and on behalf of the people of Newcastle Central, most of whom would not be able to attend.
Mr Lavery, who represents the Wansbeck constituency in Northumberland, said: “On Wednesday I travelled down to London to visit the Queen’s body lying in state in Westminster Hall.
“I believed it was important to go on behalf of the people of Wansbeck as their representative in Parliament who would have loved to show their respects to the queen in person themselves, but who for one reason or another could not make the journey on such short notice.”
“It was very solemn, very moving, both beautiful and austere, very powerful.”
Image: UK Parliament
Catherine McKinnell, who represents Newcastle North, took to social media to share her thoughts on Wednesday.
She wrote: “The proceedings today were beautiful. The Queen now lies in state in Westminster Hall with a round the clock watch from her guards, and from the public who come to pay their respects.
“I said my goodbye today. It was an honour to be able to share in this very moving occasion.”
