Sarah and Harry, from Kingston-upon-Thames, drove into London on Monday to take their place behind the barriers lining Cromwell Road, where the mood is one of quiet anticipation. The couple, who declined to give their full names, said they were “gutted” because they had not seen the Queen in state. For Emily, a 24-year-old secondary school teacher who recently moved to England from Australia, the funeral procession is “the perfect opportunity” to mourn. He told the history students that they “live in such an amazing time”. Foreign residents and visitors have come to join the crowd in the capital. Diaksha, 36, and Kamlesh Sukdheo, 35, from South Africa made their way to Hyde Park, instead of the conference they had come to London for, to watch the funeral on the big screens. “It’s a historic event, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Diaksha said. “The example he set for all of us, of how to behave with family and the world, is inspiring,” added Kamlesh. The Queen’s death has given the Johannesburg couple pause to consider the legacy of the British monarchy in their homeland. “She is also our monarch. she is legendary, she has ruled for 70 years.” Four Chinese students at the University of London, who did not give their names, have come to Hyde Park. “We just wanted to pay our respects and try to understand your country’s history,” said one. Navishad Majothi, 56, has come from Manchester. He remembers seeing King Charles when he was Prince of Wales at the Queen’s silver jubilee in 1977. “What a moment that was,” he said. He came to Britain aged six from Uganda as a refugee with his family. “We owe her a lot,” he said.
