AS MILLIONS of people tuned in to watch the television broadcast of the Queen’s funeral around the world, residents turned out to pay their respects locally in Stratford.
Both Holy Trinity Church and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre put on live screenings of the state funeral on Monday (September 19), which was declared a bank holiday.
Workers downed tools, shops shut and businesses closed their offices for the day to say good-bye to the late Queen Elizabeth II who died on September 8.
Residents got together at public gatherings, in each other’s homes or opted to watch the historic event alone or with their families.
The funeral saw British pomp and ceremony at its finest with a public service at Westminster Abbey before a private burial ceremony, off camera, for members of the Royal family at the George VI Memorial Chapel in Windsor.
The funeral was shown on screens in Holy Trinity Church and attracted a whole congregation.
There was also a special service for the Queen at the church on Sunday (September 18), giving thanks for the monarch’s life. The service was open to all and was attended by Stratford mayor Coun Gill Cleeve and Warwickshire High Sheriff David Kelham.
The preacher was the chaplain to the town council Rev Dr Paul Edmondson.
Meanwhile, there was a full house at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre for its screening of the funeral. The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) handed out free tickets to residents on a first come, first served basis.
