Residents in Leicester’s royally named Windsor Avenue met for a memorial today, following the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II – just months after gathering for a street party in her honour.
Dozens of residents gathered in the street to pay their last respects to Her Late Majesty, who passed away on September 8.
In June, the same residents had gathered for a party on Windsor Avenue to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
However, at today’s gathering there was an entirely different tone, as residents processed the funeral of Her Majesty, which took place earlier today (Monday, September 19).
Organiser Sunil Patel, said: “I had a Platinum Jubilee street party in the Summer, and I just felt like I should get the street out again in order to gather thoughts, and see how they’re feeling following the Queen’s funeral.
“Obviously it’s very sad. I’ve just managed to pack all the bunting and flags and everything away into a box for a future event, and it’s not even in the loft yet. I’ve had to reopen the box to get it back out for this event.
“The Queen kept the country together, and yesterday I went to pay my respects in London, queuing from 11 o’clock on Saturday night, until five to twelve on Sunday – midday,” he went on to reveal. “I waited 13 hour, but it didn’t feel like 13 hours, it was a wonderful experience and everyone was so friendly. The mood of everybody was so overwhelming and when I passed by the coffin, it felt so surreal.”
Windsor Avenue resident Kiana Bharakhada described the contrast between the Summer’s Jubilee celebrations and today’s more sombre gathering.
“It’s quite upsetting really because obviously the Jubilee celebration was such a poignant and upbeat celebration, so to have this now is a bit sad,” she said. “But it’s nice to celebrate the Queen’s life, and all the accomplishments that she made.
“I watched the funeral with my family earlier on today, and it was nice to see everyone come out and pay their respects,” she added.
Shaheen Abdulla described the bittersweet mood of today’s funeral, which was watched by billions across the globe.
“The funeral is a very sad moment, but also a very happy moment for the way that the Queen has ruled the country for 70 years,” he said.
“In the Summer we had a wonderful party for the Queen’s Jubilee, with all the neighbours that we never knew before. I’ve been living here for 23 years – didn’t know them, but the Jubilee brought us a bit closer together,” he went on to reveal.
“The Queen has done wonderful work in this country, and she deserves a very good funeral.”
