Hundreds of people attended a vigil in Nottingham to pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Crowds flocked to Old Market Square on Sunday evening (September 18) to remember the monarch on the eve of her funeral.
The event, organised by Nottingham City Council, started at 7pm with a performance by the Hucknall and Linby Mining Community Brass Band, which was accompanied by photos of the Queen's visits to Nottingham. These included her opening Queen's Medical Centre and the University of Nottingham's Jubilee Campus, as well as trips to the city for her Silver, Gold and Diamond Jubilees.
The vigil, which included speeches from council leader David Mellen and faith and community leaders, was capped off with a minute's silence at 8pm. Among those paying tribute in the crowd on the night was Michelle Bennett, of Rise Park.
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"I'm here because of the fact she was Queen for 70 years and I wanted to pay my respect," said the 52-year-old, who was present alongside her husband Gary. The customer assistant added that she would be travelling to London for the funeral tomorrow.
"We'll be somewhere across the procession, I just want to be there really, again to pay respects. Since I was a little girl I've like the royal family. The whole thing's been emotional but it's brought the country together in a weird way."
Faith Gakanje-Ajala, who was also present, said: "I have come to pay my tributes." The 54-year-old, who came to the UK as a political refugee from Zimbabwe, added: "I feel part of Britain, I am a benefactor from the Royal Family as a Rayne Fellow so I want to give back.
"I am here to really cry with the British people. This is the time to thank God for a great life and to celebrate it."
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