Queen Elizabeth II
There aren’t many breaking news stories in the media landscape that are both a shock and also highly-planned, but the death of Queen Elizabeth II was always going to be a perfect example.
Hushed rumours had been spreading earlier on the 8th of September that something had happened, before the first official announcements were made that doctors were concerned for the Queen's health. An official statement on health is virtually unprecedented, so we knew it was time to take things seriously. Congregating at Buckingham Palace, it wasn't until just before 6.30pm that gasps broke out as the flag slowly moved down into position, marking the end of the 70 year and 214 day reign of Queen Elizabeth II. A few moments before, I’d photographed the phone screen of the person next to me, suddenly holding more relevance as it showed the date and time.
It may have been due to the high concentration of young tourists present but visible signs of emotion were hard to find, with most just taking photos of the flag, while some just stood and stared, processing the enormity of what had just happened.
Only moments after the announcement was made, a striking rainbow appeared over the Queen Victoria memorial outside Buckingham Palace.
Within a short time, the official written pronouncement was carried to the railings and tied in place, for the public to see. Briefly sectioned off to allow members of the media to get images, the crowds were soon allowed through, surrounding the sign for hours to follow, phones held high in a bid to get their own photo. Chants of "Snap and move" broke out as those waiting to see became impatient with the people at the front taking too long.
As the light faded, the torrential rain arrived. Those standing on the Queen Victoria Memorial sheltered under umbrellas, looking towards Buckingham Palace for the next part of the breaking news story to happen. Behind them, rows of London taxis lined up on the Mall to show their respects.
As I drove home that night, I became aware that every single digital advertising board had been changed. Living in a city where advertising is pushed into our eyes with such intensity, it was striking to see this coordinated display of mourning. It would be the first of many over the coming days.
So much has been written about Queen Elizabeth II since her death that I’m reminded why I chose to pursue a career in images over words. A quiet reserve embodying the fading English spirit of “not making a fuss”, she always struck me as someone who wasn’t just comfortable with her position, but had attained and mastered that skill a long time ago, choosing now to use her energy putting others at ease. As London waited for the return of the Royal family and the coffin containing the late Queen, I had a chance to look back through my archive at some of the moments that I had the chance to photograph.
On leaving an event in 2017, the Queen turned to face myself and fellow photographer Pete Maclaine, and broke out with one hell of a cheeky grin.
Queen Elizabeth II erupted in laughter as the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins found himself locked out of his car after bidding a lengthy farewell, following a State Visit to England in 2014.
In 2009, Queen Elizabeth II met US singer Lady Gaga following the Royal Variety Performance in Blackpool. An exceptionally surreal experience.
In 2021, Prince Philip passed away. Occurring during a period of strict Covid-19 measures, the Queen travelled alone to the chapel in Windsor Castle. It seemed such a desperate shame that she would have to face this while at a distance from her family.
At the conclusion of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, much to the shock and pleasure of the gathered crowds. It was a genuinely moving moment to see this little old lady, waving to the crowds, in what we all suspected would be her final appearance at the historic location.
Back to 2022, an early morning start saw hundreds of troops rehearsing the procession that would carry the coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where the Queen would lay in State.
The story moved from Balmoral as the new Monarch’s plane landed at RAF Northolt. Rushing back to my car, I was invited inside by a resident to edit as the news broadcast live coverage of the car travelling to London. Rushing between key moments and fixed positions, it’s easy to forget to document how events are observed by the general public.
Hours before sunrise, members of the armed forces paraded through the streets of Windsor, in a final rehearsal ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s committal. Brass bands marched towards the Long Walk to get into formation, as groups of revellers wrapped up their evening encounters and residents leaned from the windows, surrendering to the negligible chance of sleep.
The public’s last chance to see the coffin carrying the Queen came the following Monday, as it was transported the short distance from Albert Road to the Castle Gates and out of view for the private stages of her funeral. Lining the stretch, members of the armed forces rehearsed positioning and stationary drill movements. As the empty hearse approached, heads lowered and checks were made to ensure chins were touching chests.
As the sky lightened, the members of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force returned to Victoria Barracks. After standing in formation, the assembled personnel were dismissed to rest and eat breakfast, in a sudden burst of informality. Bearskins we’re now carried on rifles, icy fingers were compared and the rush to store ceremonial clothing before breakfast began. Seeing the different branches of the British military relaxing and eating together is a rarity and another small reminder of the magnitude of the event to come.
Returning to RAF Northolt, people filled the pavements as far as the eye could see, all waiting catch a glimpse of the coffin as it passed. I know that everyone likes to film moments on their phones but it’s sad that they wait for hours then look at their phones as events happen, leaving them with shaky footage of something they didn’t see, that they may never watch again.
With the coffin now in Westminster Hall, the queueing could begin.
Inside the hall, the hushed sounds of shuffling steps was only broken every twenty minutes by the tapping of a stick on the stone floor to mark the changing of the guard. Watching the people in the queue, it was surprising to see so many walked past with barely a glance towards the catafalque. With wait times of well over ten hours at times, it all seemed to be over in a flash for some.
As the queue ended, I was shocked yet also somehow unsurprised that the final person in the line had rejoined immediately after passing through the hall that morning.
“I felt it didn’t do the Queen justice so I wanted to go round again”
As the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II arrived, attention was split between the service in Westminster and the Committal in Windsor.
As my position was on a rooftop within Windsor Castle, I spent the previous evening with the well-wishers outside the gates as they came to lay floral tributes and read the messages left by others. As in London, queues soon formed to enter the Long Walk, stretching back through the town.
The following day, the funeral took place with every photographer listening for updates as the ceremonies took place across the region. Hours passed as we all waited for the moment that made our link in the chain of the day’s momentous event.
Working from the same location as for the funeral of Prince Philip, I had the luxury of knowing what to expect so was able to place a remote camera in one spot while manually working with three others. As I waited, a lady who had come out of the building to witness events mentioned that her husband’s role in the day was to manually turn the winding gears from a room beneath the floor of the chapel, lowering the Queen’s coffin into the crypt. The world has so many moments that would be an honour to document.
The funeral procession passed and the flower-strewn hearse carrying the Queen disappeared from view. Glancing back, I noticed the row of cars following behind. As the convoy turned the corner, the car carrying Prince George and Princess Charlotte was catching the reflections of the guards standing to attention along the route.
As Queen Elizabeth II’s 96-year life of ceremony and pageantry ends, for others it is only just beginning.
Rest in peace, Elizabeth Windsor.
