On 8 September 2022, Queen Elizabeth II died. It represented the end of
an era that was almost incomprehensible in its span, from a time when
Britain was an imperial power recovering from the destruction of World
War II to the modern day. Her reign comprised the whole living memory of
the vast majority of the UK’s citizens.
When her death was announced, the UK entered an immediate state of
mourning, both official and unofficial. Crowds flocked to Buckingham
Palace, perhaps to await further announcements or perhaps just to be
among other people at a time of uncertainty. The atmosphere was palpably
of history taking place, but also of confusion – an expectation that
something should happen, but without a clear understanding of what.
A mourner draped in a Union Flag waits outside the gates of Buckingham Palace on 8 September 2022, the day of the Queen’s death.A mourner waits to lay flowers at the gates of Buckingham Palace.A police officer guards the gates of Buckingham Palace as mourners lay flowers.A child lays flowers at the gates of Buckingham Palace.Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace, waiting for news of the Queen’s death.Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace, waiting for news of the Queen’s death.London’s iconic black cab drivers line up along the Mall, pointed towards Buckingham Palace, to pay their respects.A screen at Waterloo Station displays a commemorative notice about the Queen.
In the week after her death, floral tributes to the Queen were so
numerous that a special area of Green Park had to be laid out to store
them. The volume of tributes reached its height on 19 September, the day
of the Queen’s funeral.
A journalist reports from the floral tributes area on 19 September 2022, the day of the Queen’s funeral.A woman examines some of the floral tributes to the Queen.A young boy dressed as one of the Queen’s guard views some of the floral tributes to the Queen.Childrens’ drawings of the Queen and Paddington Bear.Paddington-themed gifts and tributes were particularly popular, referencing the Queen’s appearance with Paddington in her recent 70th Jubilee.Corgis were also popular, being the Queen’s favourite pet.An illustration from a child of the Queen.Just part of the sea of flowers and cards left in tribute to the Queen.
On the day of the funeral itself, central London came to a complete
standstill.
Union Flags line the Mall, looking towards Buckingham Palace on the day of the Queen’s funeral.The Mall, blocked off at Admiralty Arch, with the Union Flag at half mast.Whitehall, blocked off by police, looking down towards Parliament Square.Police motorbikes block Whitehall outside Horseguards.Following the Queen’s funeral, a Chelsea pensioner chats outside a pub.
