Thousands of people from all over the world gathered today at Windsor Castle to commemorate the life and death of our longest living monarch.
Flowers, candles, cards and mementos lined the Long Walk from those who wanted to pay tribute for her 70 years on the throne.
The Observer spoke to people at the castle wo had came to pay their respects, mere hours following the announcement of the monarchs death.
READ MORE: King Charles to address the nation in TV speech tonight
Susie Dean, a woman from New Zealand who happened to be visiting family in the UK said: “It feels very emotional and it’s the end of an era. The Queen has kept a steady hand all these years which is really to be admired.
“I thank her for that. It really a hard time standing on the cusp of something new in the world that is already pretty shaky.
As a member of the commonwealth she added: “It’s good to be here with the people and I think everyone is feeling it.”
Many people who were on holiday in London found themselves at the castle paying tribute with prayers and thoughts.
This included Paul Hurley who said that his favourite memory was having the opportunity to see the Queen at garden parties at Buckingham Palace.
Sam Goss, manager of the Castle Hotel in Windsor said: “Our best wishes and deepest thoughts are with here majesties family and close friends during this very sad time.
He added: “The town, the country and the world is going into a period of mourning and reflection, remembering all of the great things that her majesty has done for us.
“It’s a time to really reflect and look after one another.”
As Prince Charles takes over Royal duties, the central Windsor hotel wished him all the very best.
A long-standing member of the sea cadet corps, Teresa McLoughlin said: “She was an amazing woman and the only monarch that most of us have ever known. We are laying some flowers as a mark of respect.
“I remember doing a lot of parades as I was uniformed for a lot of that.
Local schools were also given the opportunity to pay their respects at the gates of the castle.
Pupils from The Kings House School in Windsor arrived to sprinkle petals and lay flowers amongst the array of tributes.
Ruvi Goonawdhane, age 11 said: “We wanted to respect the queen and the new King so we came and put a flower down and thought about the Queen.
“She was so stylish and beautiful and she served God with here whole heart.”
Harriet Holmes-Clough, 11, spoke about the monarchs devotion to God and the country.
Brian McCormack, the owner of Snappy Snaps in Windsor spoke emotionally about the passing of the Queen.
“I’ve had the business in Windsor for 20 years and feel very much like the fabric of the town and shes been like a neighbour. I’m very friendly with all the people who work in the castle and my heart goes out to them," he said.
“They have lost a very good friend in her majesty.”
Mr McCormack said that he will always remember her ‘absolute dedication to the job’.
He added: “It was a job she didn’t really want but was thrust into. She was an absolute role model to everybody and just the absolute solid rock she was for the United Kingdom was astounding.”
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