Mass crowds turn out to watch the Queen's funeral from Bitts Park

It was an emotional day as people came together to pay their respects to Britain’s longest serving monarch on the day of her historic state funeral.

The event was orchestrated by Carlisle City Council, with a large screen appropriately placed in front of the Queen Victoria monument.

Mourners sit around the apt Queen Victoria statue. (Image: PMcTaggart)

Lyndsay and Wilson Wies, from near Armathwaite, had arrived early at 9:30am. Lyndsay said: “It’s been wonderful; she was a remarkable woman. Particularly the start of the service was fantastic.

“It’s great to see lots of families here today, her life should be celebrated in this way by all age groups.

“We’re very proud to be British, we’re a wonderful multi-cultural country and that’s how our Queen was as well – without prejudice."

Several hundred watch the funeral on the big-screen (Image: PMcTaggart)

For Lyndsay, however, the day meant a lot for her with a long-standing history of her family being involved in serving under the British military.

“All of those that have gone before me have represented their country, my grandfather, my father and now my son-in-law who is a Lieutenant Colonel for the Royal Tank Regiment – my son-in-law even received his colours from Her Majesty two years ago,” she said.

READ MORE: Armed Forces members pay respect to the Queen at Bitts Park

Lyndsey’s father, Tom Copeland, aged 91, also marched at the Queen’s Coronation, and she said he will be watching proudly on a screen at home.

“I do feel we’re representing the proud military history of our country with the community around us,” she said.

The day also saw many youngsters, who were cycling through the area, park up their bikes on the embankment to watch the service.

Husband and wife, Nadine and Alan Borradaile, had travelled from Penrith to be part of the gathering.

Nadine Borradaile was certainly dressed for the occasion. (Image: PMcTaggart)

“We were going to watch at home, but we wanted to watch it around people who feel the same as us – it was emotional, but I’m sure that’s the same for everyone watching,” Nadine said.

“We were watching a video of the Queen when she was younger playing with children, it was so great and emotional to see, it just shows how the Royal Family are just normal people. Even her committing to features with the likes of James Bond and Paddington – she didn't have to do that, but she did it with a smile,” she said.

Gerard Murphy, from Whitehaven but who now resides in Carlisle, said he was disappointed he never got the chance to see the Queen when she visited Whitehaven in 2008.

“I remember seeing that photograph of the Queen with the Whitehaven Gurner – it always made me laugh and smile.

“I’ve sent a sympathy card to Buckingham Palace, here’s hoping King Charles reads it,” he said.

Towards the end of the service, the Last Post was followed by two-minute’s silence in the park – in line with the Abbey service. 

The National Anthem brought with it a chorus from the attendees, with its poignant sound echoing around Bitts Park.  

Prior to the event, leader of Carlisle City Council, councillor John Mallinson, said: "The live screening of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral is an opportunity for people to come together as a community.”

READ MORE: Carlisle's silent 'morning of mourning' during the Queen's funeral