Brits shed tears with flags at half-mast as grief hits holiday hotspot Benidorm

Brit tourists in Benidorm shed tears and paid respects by a Union Jack at half-mast with an unusually sombre mood at the Spanish holiday hotspot.

Some sat in the sun with a beer and reflected on the news coming out of the UK following the death of the Queen on Thursday.

One Union Jack flew at half-mast in the city centre while a wreath was also placed at its foot.

Other tributes included an electronic billboard which read ‘Queen Elizabeth 1926-2022' and the royal coat of arms. A Spanish police officer was seen saluting and then placing a wreath below it.

Usually bustling with life with fun and laughter, there was a more serious feel among the British tourists.

Tourists in Benidorm were seen shedding tears after hearing the Queen had died (SOLARPIX.COM)

A man could be seen standing staring at the British flag while a woman wiped away a tear as she looked at her phone.

It is not unusual to see Union Jacks flying by bars in Benidorm to attract Brit customers but this time some had a black ribbon.

Spanish media was full of coverage of the Queen’s death as was the case in countries around the world.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain joined other European royals in paying tribute to their distant relative.

There was a sombre mood among tourists having a beer in the holiday resort (SOLARPIX.COM)

Posting a letter to King Charles III on the Casa Real Twitter account, Felipe said he would 'dearly' miss his Aunt Lilibet.

Felipe sent his condolences to the new King and said the British Family were 'in our hearts and thoughts'.

He wrote: "Your Majesty, dearest Charles, deeply saddened by the sorrowful news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, your beloved mother.

Many people stopped to look and reflect at Union Jacks flying at half-mast (SOLARPIX.COM)

"I would like to offer Your Majesty and the British people, on my behalf and on the behalf of the Spanish government and people, our most heartfelt condolences."

The King and Queen of Spain also wrote the late monarch a similar letter of sympathy last year following the death of Prince Philip.

Dutch and Swedish royals also paid tribute to the Queen.

And elsewhere around the world flowers were laid and tributes paid from the Eiffel Tower going dark in Paris to the Christ the Redeemer - overlooking Rio de Janiero shining red, white and blue.

This weekend, the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror celebrate the life of Her Majesty the Queen with a commemorative special filled with all the key moments from Britain’s longest reigning monarch. Be sure to pick up your copy of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror to get both pullouts.