Former England football captain David Beckham has now passed the Queen's coffin after queuing since 2am this morning to attend the Lying In State. Speaking about joining thousands in the queue, the ex-Manchester United star added: “I thought by coming at 2am it was going to be a little bit quieter – I was wrong.”
He stood with members of the public who had lined the long walk to Westminster Hall for more than 12 hours to pay his respects. Wearing a dark suit and black tie, Beckham added: "We can all see with the love that has been shown, how special she is and how special she was and the legacy that she leaves behind.
“It’s a sad day, but it’s a day for us to remember the incredible legacy that she’s left. So this day was always going to be difficult, and it’s difficult for the nation, it’s difficult for everyone around the world, because I think everyone is feeling it, and our thoughts are with the family and obviously with everybody here today.
“Because it’s special to be here, to celebrate, and to hear the different stories that people have to say.”
When asked whether he had any anecdotes about his experiences with the Queen, he told ITV News: “Probably the most special moment for me was when I received my OBE. To receive my OBE, I took my grandparents with me, who were the ones that really brought me up to be a huge royalist and a fan of the royal family, and obviously I had my wife there as well.
“To step up, to get my honour, but then also Her Majesty, to ask questions, to talk, I was so lucky that I was able to have a few moments like that in my life, to be around Her Majesty.
Speaking about paying tribute to the Queen on the football pitch, Beckham said: “Every time that we stood there when we wore those Three Lion shirts and I had my armband and we sang God Save Our Queen, that was something that meant so much to us.
“Every time that we did it, it was something special."
To pay your own tribute to Queen Elizabeth, click here.
