A BRIDGWATER business owner braved a 25-hour queue to pay her respects to Queen Elizabeth II at her lying-in-state at Westminster Hall in London.
Karenza Davies, who owns The Bed House and lives in Westonzoyland, had a sleepless night surrounded by members of the press and other mourners.
She joined the queue at 3.45pm on Tuesday, September 13 and entered Westminster Hall at 5.10pm the following day.
“I am very proud to have been able to see our great Queen Elizabeth II lying-in-state, to have been given the chance to say goodbye and thank her for her 70 years serving her country,” said Karenza.
“What a beautiful lady she was. She always look so very smart, stuck to traditions and learnt to move forward with change, bringing big smiles to the nation when she did something so unexpected, including having tea with Paddington Bear.
“There will never be another like her. Seeing Her Majesty’s coffin and the crown she wore was very sad and emotional but touched my heart and brought a tear or two.”
Despite wearing a thick coat and several layers, Karenza still got “wet through” while queuing but managed to find friendly people who kept each other company.
She said: “The world's press were there and they not only interviewed us but offered us help and support.
“Being there on my own was not a problem – there there was soon a group of us that came together chatting, helping each other out, watching each other’s belongings and getting the hot drinks in, especially the two lovely ladies either side of me.
“We all stayed together and supported each other even as we came out of Westminster Hall.
“There were also lots of other important public figures that came down to see how the people who had stayed over night were getting on.
“I had a personal handshake and a thank you for coming from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
“We had some smiles along the way and eye-opening moments when the army and different police forces were clapped through the queuing crowd by everyone.
“It felt very safe overnight. The security staff were sat along the wall every so many 100 yards and were there all night, again giving help and support and there for just a chat if you needed it.
“We had people come along handing out pizza, bags of chocolates and hot drinks. The London view at night was breathtaking and the city came together in mourning.”
The lying-in-state of the Queen began on Wednesday, September 14 and will end on the morning of Monday, September 19 – shortly before her funeral.
The queue to see her coffin reached five miles in length yesterday (Friday) and included former England captain David Beckham.
On the night the Queen passed away (September 8), Karenza and her family went to Buckingham Palace to lay floral tributes.
Karenza went with her husband Justin and his 79-year-old mother Olivia.
They took flowers on behalf of Karenza and Justin's five-year-old granddaughter Daisy, and got back to Somerset at 4am.
The family will return to London on Monday, this time with their 11-year-old grandson Tai, to be in the capital for the Queen's funeral.
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