David Beckham spotted in queue for the Queen lying-in-state
The former England player waited for more than 13 hours to pay his respects at the coffin of the Queen in Westminster Hall
Maybe he would be more accustomed to running for 90 minutes, compared to standing for 13 hours as England football legend David Beckham joined thousands of mourners for the Queen in central London on Friday. Arriving at 2 a.m. he could be forgiven for expecting the queue to be short and he was sorely mistaken.
His journey to the side of the Queen offered plenty of opportunities for members of the public and the media to talk to Beckham. Speaking to UK telenews outlet ITV Beckham explained why the Queen was such an important figure for him.
“Every time that we stood there when we wore those Three Lion shirts and I had my armband and we sang God Save Our Queen, that was something that meant so much to us.
“Every time that we did it, it was something special. So this day was always going to be difficult, and it’s difficult for the nation, it’s difficult for everyone around the world, because I think everyone is feeling it, and our thoughts are with the family and obviously with everybody here today.
“Because it’s special to be here, to celebrate, and to hear the different stories that people have to say.”
Beckham met the Queen personally in 2003 when he was made an OBE, Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, the second highest honour in the country excluding knight and damehoods.
What happened in the queue for the Queen on Friday?
Friday is the second full day that the British public have to be able to observe the coffin in Westminster Hall. With such an overwhelming number of people waiting the organisers chose to stop more people joining the 14-hour queue until at least Saturday lunchtime.
“It’s a sad day, but it’s a day for us to remember the incredible legacy that she’s left,” Beckham said.