As we make our way along the Embankment, giant screens show scenes from foreign tours undertaken by her Majesty, throughout the various decades of her reign.

Having reached Westminster Bridge, we pass into the grounds of the Palace of Westminster. Here the eyes of the world are upon us, as TV crews with a forest of satellite dishes, follow our every move.as we begin the long zig-zag walk, back and forth across Palace fields, inching ever nearer to the entrance of Westminster Hall.

By now, the only light is coming from the camera floodlights. As we continue our zig-zag walk, we approach the final security checks. We have finished all our food, drunk all our water, thrown away all our rubbish. We have gone through ‘airport – style’ security.

All is quiet, all is calm. We enter and climb up the steps into Westminster Hall. The harsh lights are left behind. Here, the soft light from a myriad of chandeliers illuminates the scene as we gasp, and look down into Westminster Hall. Her Majesty, lying in State, seems to welcome us to enter into her presence. We descend slowly, each lost in our own thoughts. We each pass so close to her coffin. Each of us is given the time to stop, to bow, to curtsey. However we choose to pay our final respects.

Those who have passed her Majesty before us, and with whom we have journeyed to this point together, now wait for us to pass. There are no words really to say how we all feel. We disperse into the night.

Our Queen has served us all for seventy years. The very ‘least’ we can do, is walk through the night to say our final  farewell and ‘ thank you your Majesty’

May you rest in peace.