Leeds mourners defy weather to watch Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in Millennium Square

Millennium Square was opened up for a live screening of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and Leeds mourners gathered to watch.
By Tom Coates
Published 19th Sep 2022, 16:30 GMT
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Her Majesty symbolised Great Britain and mourners were undeterred by another symbol of the island she was monarch of – rain.

Such was the extent of the desire to pay public respect to her, people descended upon the city centre armed with umbrellas, ponchos and waterproof coats to ensure they could watch the live screening.

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David Malone was in attendance and said: “We wanted to pay our respects. The rain’s not going to harm them – it’s a good turn out for her.”

Such was the extent of the desire to pay public respect to her, people descended upon the city centre armed with umbrellas, ponchos and waterproof coats to ensure they could watch the live screening. Image: Simon HulmeSuch was the extent of the desire to pay public respect to her, people descended upon the city centre armed with umbrellas, ponchos and waterproof coats to ensure they could watch the live screening. Image: Simon Hulme
Such was the extent of the desire to pay public respect to her, people descended upon the city centre armed with umbrellas, ponchos and waterproof coats to ensure they could watch the live screening. Image: Simon Hulme

Funerals are usually sombre occasions but in Millennium Square, it felt as much as a celebration of her life as it did a mourning of her death.

Screening attendee Helen Atkinson said: “She was a legend, she dedicated her entire life to serving the country.

“It’s such a moment in history and it’s really important to mark it.

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“It’s amazing, there’s so many people here to whom the Queen meant so much.”

Funerals are usually sombre occasions but in Millennium Square, it felt as much as a celebration of her life as it did a mourning of her death. Image: Simon HulmeFunerals are usually sombre occasions but in Millennium Square, it felt as much as a celebration of her life as it did a mourning of her death. Image: Simon Hulme
Funerals are usually sombre occasions but in Millennium Square, it felt as much as a celebration of her life as it did a mourning of her death. Image: Simon Hulme