David Beckham couldn't hide his emotions as he finally filed past the Queen's coffin to pay his respects to the late monarch. The former Manchester United and England star joined the hundreds of thousands of other mourners who have queued to pay their last tributes to Queen Elizabeth II.
He was among those joining the line on the second full day the public were able to enter Westminster Hall. The public were allowed to start paying their respects to the Queen from 5pm on Wednesday following a procession from Buckingham Palace.
Today, Thursday, marks a week since the Queen's death was announced. Buckingham Palace announced at around 6.30pm on September 8 that the 96-year-old, who had recently celebrate 70 years on the throne, had died peacefully at Balmoral, her Scottish Highlands home, that very afternoon.
There has since been an outpouring of grief as the country entered a 10 day period of national mourning. Among those those to speak out following the announcement of the Queen's death was David. The sporting star, who was honoured with an OBE by the Queen, said: "I’m truly saddened by the death of Her Majesty, The Queen. What an outpouring of love and respect we saw for the Platinum Jubilee for her life of service.
"How devastated we all feel today shows what she has meant to people in this country and around the world. How much she inspired us with her leadership. How she comforted us when times were tough. Until her last days she served her country with dignity and grace. This year she would have known how loved she was. My thoughts and prayers are with our Royal Family."
And his wait to see the Queen as she lies in state began at 2am on Friday morning (September 16). He went early to try and avoid the crowds. However, he was spotted by fellow well-wishers, with pictures of him circulating on social media before he was interviewed by ITV.
David, 47 who is married to former Spice Girl Victoria, looked emotional as he made his way down the steps inside Westminster Hall. He appeared to wipe away a tear as he approached the side of the coffin before taking a moment to pause. He then bowed before moving on with the rest of the crowds who had also paid their final respects.
He had earlier told ITV news that he was their to represent his family and said if his grandparents were here, they'd too want to wait to see the Queen for the final time. A keen royalist, due to his family's keen love and interest in the royal family, said he felt “lucky” to have spent time with the Queen and remembered the moment he was made an OBE.
"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,” he told ITV News. Because 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."
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