A Mancunian devastated by the death of the Queen plans to travel 815 miles to attend her funeral. Robert Frazer, 35, who was raised in Manchester and now lives in Zell am See, Austria, is to fly to London on Saturday.
He plans to get up at 4am the next day to avoid queues and see the Queen lying in state. Then he will watch the funeral live in a public place on Monday.
Read more:
Robert, a holiday resort manager, says he 'spent a fortune' on a hotel in central London to ensure he doesn't miss the ceremony. He said: "I want to make a real physical gesture of how the monarchy is important to me. It's easy to write comments on websites, but actually going and doing it feels significant.
"Also, this is a unique moment – there's not going to be anything like this or on this scale ever again. I am going there to witness actual history."
Robert, who says he's been a monarchist all his life, said he was 'shocked and bewildered' when learning of the Queen's death. He added: "The monarchy is fundamental to who we are as a people and tells a tale over 1,000 years old.
"The Queen herself embodied diligence and duty and reminded us of our better selves and her quiet reserve kept up our national character when we didn't always live up to it ourselves. She was the anchor holding us down in a stormy sea.
"I will probably start early as possible on Sunday morning, maybe even as early 4am, as I am aware the queues to see the Queen lying in state will take many hours. I am hoping to meet up with friends back in the UK to find a public place to watch the funeral itself on Monday, I hope that there will be screens erected somewhere."
A state funeral for Queen Elizabeth will take place at 11am on Monday the 19 September at Westminster Abbey.
We have turned off comments on this article, but you can share your tribute in our online condolence book.
READ NEXT:
- Emotions, aches and steely determination in the great British queue to pay tribute to a beloved Queen
- How the Queen's funeral is hitting Greater Manchester's under-strain pubs and restaurants
- Meghan and Harry fans touched by public show of affection during ceremony for the Queen
- Princess of Wales' sweet gesture to the Queen as royals pay their respects at Westminster ceremony
- British Airways cancels flights during Queen's coffin procession as more travel disruption expected for funeral
