A million people descended on London for the Queen's funeral. Like me, they never got close — but they were still a part of history.

Maria Noyen,Hannah WilliamsSep 20, 2022, 01:03 IST

People attempt to capture the funeral procession for Queen Elizabeth II.Maria Noyen/Insider

I was among at least a million people who descended on London for the Queen's funeral.
2,000 VIPs were invited into Westminster Abbey but the crowds outside paid their own tributes.

On Monday morning, I made my way to Westminster Abbey for the Queen's funeral – but like millions of others who came to London for the occasion, I never got close.

This is the closest I got to Westminster Abbey.Maria Noyen/Insider

The funeral for Queen Elizabeth II took place at Westminster Abbey, London, on Monday nearly two weeks after the monarch died "peacefully" at her residence in Balmoral, Scotland. She was 96.

On Monday morning, I made my way to Westminster Abbey for the Queen's funeral – but like millions of others who came to London for the occasion, I never got close.

The funeral for Queen Elizabeth II took place at Westminster Abbey, London, on Monday nearly two weeks after the monarch died peacefully at her residence in Balmoral, Scotland. She was 96.

VIP guests like President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were among 2,000 people who actually attended the funeral.

Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, Sophie Grégoire, First Lady Jill Biden, and President Joe Biden at the Queen's funeral.Christopher Furlong/Getty Images, Samir Hussein/WireImage

Other notable attendees included the Queen's family. Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their eldest two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, were also at Westminster Abbey to pay tribute to her.

Everyone else, however, was redirected away from Westminster Abbey. I overheard a few people nervously wonder if they'd be able to get a glimpse of the historic moment.

Members of the public were redirected away from Westminster Abbey.Maria Noyen/Insider

Any expectation I had of getting a closer glimpse of Westminster Abbey ended quite quickly when event organizers told me and thousands of others to make our way to places like St. James's Palace and The Mall as the abbey itself was inaccessible to those not personally invited to the funeral.

I opted to go to The Mall, a road connected to Buckingham Palace. As I arrived, thousands were already lined up. Soon after, the funeral began playing on speakers.

Thousands attempted to get as close as they could to the barriers to see the procession.Maria Noyen/Insider

Chances of getting close to the barrier were slim given just how many people had come to London for the funeral. More than a million were expected to be there, which made the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II the biggest police operation to ever take place in the UK, Wired reported.

But even though I was among those who weren't able to see the inside of Westminster Abbey, it still felt like we were part of a moment in history, especially when the funeral service began playing on large speakers placed throughout The Mall. The crowd largely fell silent to listen.

At The Mall, I also saw some who looked like they'd been waiting for hours, and others – like these people carrying suitcases – who appeared to have casually strolled by.

Some people looked like they casually strolled through, while others had waited for hours.Maria Noyen/Insider

Having only been there for a few hours at this point, I sympathized massively with anyone taking their opportunity to lie down on the grass. From conversations I had later in the day, I came to understand that some well-wishers had arrived overnight to pay tribute to the Queen at her funeral.

At The Mall, I also saw some who looked like they'd been waiting for hours, and others – like these people carrying suitcases – who appeared to have casually strolled by.

Style was another way people paid tribute. An Italian man I spoke to wore a Union Jack emblazoned suit — he said he came to give thanks to the Queen on behalf of Italy.

Union Jack outfits were out in abundance.Maria Noyen/Insider

"I have many suits like this but today it's the perfect dress," Teddy said.

Style was another way people paid tribute. An Italian man I spoke to wore a Union Jack emblazoned suit — he said he came to give thanks to the Queen on behalf of Italy.

Given how many people had gathered for the occasion, there was a massive police and armed forces presence.

There was a huge military presence.Maria Noyen/Insider

Amid members of the public, there were soldiers wearing military uniforms, policemen, and security staff attempting to ensure that spectating the Queen's funeral went off without a hiccup.

Over by St. James's Palace, I came across people who had formed a small community overnight. One woman told Insider she'd made friends for life.

Over by St. James's Palace were groups of people who'd camped overnight to save their spot.Maria Noyen/Insider

Anita Atkinson, 65, told Insider she'd made "friends for life" with the people she camped overnight with for the Queen's funeral.

"This is a brilliant atmosphere," she said. "What the Queen is doing even in death is devotion to duty and bringing people together.

Anita Atkinson, 65, told Insider she'd made friends for life with the people she camped overnight with for the Queen's funeral.

This is a brilliant atmosphere, she said. What the Queen is doing even in death is devotion to duty and bringing people together.

Atkinson, who said she headed to camp outside for the funeral at 9 p.m on Sunday, said she also owns the world's largest collection of royal memorabilia — made up of 12,777 pieces.

Anita Atkinson said she owns the world's largest collection of royal memorabilia.Maria Noyen/Insider

"My own collection started in 1976," Atkinson said. "Before I came away, I had 12,777 different items and a few hundred spares."

Atkinson, who said she headed to camp outside for the funeral at 9 p.m on Sunday, said she also owns the world's largest collection of royal memorabilia — made up of 12,777 pieces.

After the funeral ended, everyone did their best to get into a good viewing spot to view the procession of soldiers, royals, and the Queen's coffin draped in the royal standard.

Some people tried to get a better look at the procession by standing in bushes.Maria Noyen/Insider

A crowd of people I passed making my way to Buckingham Palace thought that standing among the trees would help them get a better view of the procession, which took place once the funeral ended.

After the funeral ended, everyone did their best to get into a good viewing spot to view the procession of soldiers, royals, and the Queen's coffin draped in the royal standard.

A crowd of people I passed making my way to Buckingham Palace thought that standing among the trees would help them get a better view of the procession, which took place once the funeral ended.

I also spotted some kids pulling off incredible balancing acts in an attempt to see the funeral procession.

Kids balanced on tiny poles in an attempt to see the funeral procession.Maria Noyen/Insider

While some kids needed help from their parents to stay on top of the skinniest-looking poles, others looked totally at ease.

Five hours later, the Queen's funeral procession crossed The Mall. Everyone around me, people of all generations, did their best to capture a moment in history.

The moment the procession passed The Mall.Maria Noyen/Insider

Sure, the majority of people who were at The Mall didn't get the perfect shot of the funeral procession or the royal family. But with everyone I spoke to, it seemed that wasn't the reason they were there in the first place.

Together, with their smartphones out, a million people experienced a moment in history collectively – one that I'm sure they, and I, will never forget.

Clips of the Queen making funny jokes and witty remarks are going viral, leaving viewers surprised by her sense of humor

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A million people descended on London for the Queen's funeral. Like me, they never got close &mdash; but they were still a part of history.

On Monday morning, I made my way to Westminster Abbey for the Queen's funeral – but like millions of others who came to London for the occasion, I never got close.

VIP guests like President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were among 2,000 people who actually attended the funeral.

Everyone else, however, was redirected away from Westminster Abbey. I overheard a few people nervously wonder if they'd be able to get a glimpse of the historic moment.

I opted to go to The Mall, a road connected to Buckingham Palace. As I arrived, thousands were already lined up. Soon after, the funeral began playing on speakers.

At The Mall, I also saw some who looked like they'd been waiting for hours, and others – like these people carrying suitcases – who appeared to have casually strolled by.

Style was another way people paid tribute. An Italian man I spoke to wore a Union Jack emblazoned suit — he said he came to give thanks to the Queen on behalf of Italy.

Given how many people had gathered for the occasion, there was a massive police and armed forces presence.

Over by St. James's Palace, I came across people who had formed a small community overnight. One woman told Insider she'd made friends for life.

Atkinson, who said she headed to camp outside for the funeral at 9 p.m on Sunday, said she also owns the world's largest collection of royal memorabilia — made up of 12,777 pieces.

After the funeral ended, everyone did their best to get into a good viewing spot to view the procession of soldiers, royals, and the Queen's coffin draped in the royal standard.

I also spotted some kids pulling off incredible balancing acts in an attempt to see the funeral procession.

Five hours later, the Queen's funeral procession crossed The Mall. Everyone around me, people of all generations, did their best to capture a moment in history.

A million people descended on London for the Queen's funeral. Like me, they never got close — but they were still a part of history.