‘Things won’t be the same’: Manchester mourns death of Elizabeth II

Four-year-old Ernie Everall lays flowers for the Queen in St Ann’s Square, Manchester, on Friday. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

The streets of central Manchester were unusually quiet on Friday as the city came to terms with the death of Queen Elizabeth II. People expressed sadness, with many saying they were surprised at how much the news had affected them.

Julie Iveson and Paige Eastwood travelled from Preston to sign the book of condolence at Manchester Cathedral. “I know she was 96 but we weren’t ready for this news,” Iveson said. “She was a friend of Manchester, and Mancunians collectively share so many fond memories of her.”