SOLIHULL stood still on Monday, September 19, in their homes, pubs, churches and theatres to watch Queen Elizabeth II’s final journey.
Streets stood silent as thousands across the borough tuned in to watch the procession from Westminster Hall to a state funeral at Westminster Abbey then onto Windsor for a committal service to say one final goodbye to the country’s longest reigning monarch.
Residents got together at public gatherings, in each other’s homes or opted to watch the historic event alone or with their families.
The funeral saw British pomp and ceremony at its finest with a public service at Westminster Abbey before a private burial ceremony, off camera, for members of the Royal family in Windsor.
More than 60 people gathered in The Core to watch Britain’s first state funeral in almost six decades – the last one being for Winston Churchill in 1965.
Some shops, supermarkets and restaurants across the borough closed or partially closed as a mark of respect for the Queen.
Over the weekend there were a number of services held to remember Queen Elizabeth.
On Sunday, the Mayor of Solihull attended a special service alongside other Councillors at St Alphege Church to celebrate the Queen’s life ahead of the national minute’s silence at 8pm.
The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Ken Meeson, said: “I was grateful to be able to attend the St Alphege Church service on Sunday and take time to reflect on Her Majesty’s life and death with other parishioners and colleagues from the Council.
“I understand those who chose to take up our offer of watching a screening of the state funeral from Westminster in The Core were also very appreciative of opportunity to witness this solemn service with others, as we all took time to pay silent tribute to The Queen who had served this country so well for 70 years and who was finally laid to rest on Monday.”
Solihull Council began removing the flowers at the floral tribute left in Solihull and Chelmsley Wood on Tuesday, September 20.
It said any messages will be retained and added to the Council archives, while the flowers will be composted, in line with the rest of the country.
