- 'Something was wrong', defendant in French mass rape tells court
- Hezbollah chief admits 'unprecedented' blow in device blasts
- Sales of US existing homes slip slightly in August
- Fear, panic haunt Lebanese after devices explode
- Labuschagne sparks Australia fightback in England ODI opener
- S.Africa's HIV research power couple says fight goes on
- Why is Israel focusing on border with Lebanon?
- Mpox vaccines administered in Rwanda, first in Africa
- US Fed rate cut is 'very positive sign' for economy: Yellen
- Unknown Mozart string trio discovered in Germany
- 'Are we five-year-olds?' F1 drivers won't mind their language
- Brazil judge orders X to reimpose block or face hefty fine
- Munich to rename stadium street after Beckenbauer
- Champions Italy to face Argentina in Davis Cup Final 8
- The winding, fitful path to weight loss drug Ozempic
- Italians defeat American Magic to reach Louis Vuitton Cup final
- Norris has 'nothing to lose' as he hunts Verstappen in Singapore
- Kyiv 'outraged' at Swiss showing of Russian war film
- French city renames Abbe Pierre square after abuse claims
- Footballer charged after huge cannabis seizure at UK airport
- Vatican recognises Medjugorje shrine, but not Virgin's messages
- Bank of England freezes rate after jumbo US cut
- Playing Nadal is 'kind of a nightmare', says Alcaraz
- Portugal tackles last of deadly northern forest fires
- Ton-up Ashwin lifts India to 339-6 against Bangladesh
- Departing NATO chief warns US against 'isolationism'
- Coming winter 'sternest test yet' for Ukraine energy grid
- Evacuations as tail of Storm Boris floods northeast Italy
- Lebanon's Hezbollah reeling after second wave of deadly blasts
- Taiwan recognises same-sex marriages between Chinese, Taiwanese
- Stock markets rally after jumbo US rate cut
- Gabon's ousted leader Bongo says renouncing politics for good
- Lebanon device blasts: what we know about deadly attacks
- Late Harrods owner Al-Fayed accused of rape: BBC
- Hong Kong man sentenced 14 months for wearing 'seditious' T-shirt
- Lebanon's Hezbollah in disarray after second wave of deadly blasts
- Meta and Spotify blast EU decisions on AI
- Hasan takes three as Bangladesh rattle India in first Test
- Two killed during police operation in New Caledonia
- Flood-hit region leaders to meet in Poland to discuss EU aid
- Sri Lanka to vote in first poll since economic collapse
- Hong Kong probe finds Cathay Airbus defect could cause 'extensive' damage
- AI development cannot be left to market whim, UN experts warn
- All Blacks primed for 'hell' of a Wallabies clash
- Zoom fatigue? Try some nature in your background: study
- Japan walkie-talkie maker says investigating after Lebanon blasts
- Slipper to become most-capped Wallaby in All Blacks clash
- Tokyo surges on weak yen as Asian traders cheer big US rate cut
- Vast France building project sunk by sea level rise fears
- UK campaigners in green energy standoff reject 'nimby' label
RBGPF | 5.79% | 60.5 | $ | |
CMSC | -0.18% | 25.01 | $ | |
BCC | 3.81% | 142.495 | $ | |
BTI | -0.54% | 37.675 | $ | |
GSK | -1.03% | 41.996 | $ | |
SCS | -7.79% | 13.09 | $ | |
BP | 2.2% | 33.158 | $ | |
RYCEF | 5.48% | 6.93 | $ | |
NGG | -2% | 68.675 | $ | |
RIO | 3.8% | 65.395 | $ | |
JRI | -0.37% | 13.39 | $ | |
VOD | -1.74% | 10.055 | $ | |
CMSD | 0.4% | 25.08 | $ | |
BCE | -0.48% | 35.44 | $ | |
RELX | 1.33% | 48.01 | $ | |
AZN | 0.66% | 79.105 | $ |
Buckingham Palace becomes shrine for a grieving nation
A stream of mourners laid flowers and tributes outside Buckingham Palace on Friday, as it became the focal point of a country grieving the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Stony-faced soldiers in red coats and bearskin hats stood guard by the palace, the late queen's London headquarters during her 70-year reign.
Mourners stood silently and watched, while some placed bouquets in the black railings of the landmark residence.
"We just wanted to pay tribute to the queen," said Natalie Vehring, a violinist who has performed at concerts attended by the queen.
She was at the palace with her husband and two sons in school uniform, while on a video call with her mother in Australia.
"My mum says she remembers the king dying," added the 46-year-old, referring to the queen's father, George VI, who died in 1952.
"I grew up in Australia, the monarchy was a very huge part of our childhood, we sang the national anthem every day at school.
"It's amazing how she was working a day before her passing," she added.
People left candles in glass jars, rain-sodden Union Jack flags, newspapers bearing the late queen's image and personal notes.
"Thank you. You served our country to the end. Faithful in God," said one message.
"Thank you for your service Ma'am. You were a guiding light in dark times, the foundation of a nation, our strength and stay. Rest in peace," read another.
One note, signed by "the coffee ladies", said: "Beautiful Queen. Thank you, thank you for your constancy, your loyalty and long reign".
- 'Devastated' -
Joan Russell, 55, a project manager from east London, had tears running down her cheeks as she looked at the flowers.
"I came to say a prayer," she told AFP.
"Charles has had such a great example to follow. I believe he will do his very utmost to continue the legacy of his parents."
There were similar scenes in Windsor, west of London, as well-wishers, many crying, left hundreds of bouquets and lit candles outside the gates of the late queen's beloved castle.
One of those in tears was Marina Flynn, 79, whose husband used to work with the queen's husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
"She was wonderful, she's done nothing wrong. I met her a couple of times with the Duke and they were always really nice. I just feel devastated," said Flynn, dressed in black.
Others expressed concern about the new King Charles III.
"Oh I'm worried about what he would do," said Estrella Linch, 78.
"He is not a decisive man, he doesn't know how to take big decisions," she added.
In Scotland, the former queen's residence at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, which will house Elizabeth's coffin before it travels to London, also became a focus of tributes.
Locals and curious tourists came to contemplate silently and lay flowers, as preparations began to welcome the queen's coffin.
"All this pomp and glory is going to be a nice thing and a very sad thing," said Rebecca Evans, 44, who works for a climate change think-tank.
"It's going be an interesting few days."
T.Vitorino--PC