CUMBRIA united on Monday to pay respects to Her Late Majesty The Queen.
Britain’s longest reigning Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II died at The Royal Family’s holiday retreat in Balmoral on Thursday September 8.
Having served until the age of 96, The Queen leaves behind an unrivalled legacy of public service as she passes the torch to her son, who is now crowned King Charles III.
A funeral service was held for Her Late Majesty on Monday September 19 at Westminster Abbey with thousands listening outside.
People across Cumbria commemorated the life of The Queen in their own way, whether it was watching live TV coverage of the funeral or an open-air screening with hundreds of fellow residents.
Mourners gathered at Bitts Park in Carlisle for a live screening of the state funeral just a few steps from the Queen Victoria monument.
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Carlisle MP John Stevenson said: “It’s been a hugely significant day. All credit to the Armed Forces, the Royal Family, everybody involved in giving The Queen a fantastic send off.
“My mother is one year younger than The Queen and born on the same day so I came up to Scotland to watch it with her."
Mr Stevenson said that the enormous crowds at the event and viewings across the country is a testament to the affection the public have for Her Late Majesty.
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“It’s touched the nation. The interesting thing is, and you got it from the service, the amount of history that’s there.
"The good thing the Royal Family and our political system has brought is continuity.”
Cumberland Council’s Lib Dem member for Stanwix in Carlisle, Brian Wernham said: “I found the ceremony today very moving, whether one believes in the monarchy or not, one has to pay tribute to a 96 year old woman who served her country until her last moments.”
Workington Leisure Centre hosted a live screening of the historic event for residents of Allerdale.
Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie said: “I think it’s been a fitting send off, I don’t think there’s another nation on Earth could create a day like it. People will be proud to be British, she’s been probably the greatest monarch ever.”
Looking ahead to the Royal Family’s role in the future, Mr Starkie said: “It’s reasserted how important the Monarchy is to people in the vast majority of the country. The Queen has been revered around the world.”
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A Civic service in memory of Her Late Majesty was held at St Andrew’s Church, Penrith on Sunday morning.
Penrith and the Borders MP, Dr Neil Hudson gave a reading in tribute to her legendary service.
Dr Hudson said: “It was humbling to attend and deliver a reading at St Andrew’s Penrith today for The Service of Thanksgiving & Commemoration for Queen Elizabeth II. It was a beautiful and moving service. Thank you so much to everyone involved.”
“God Bless The Queen. God Save The King.”
Residents of South Lakeland visited Zeffirellis and Fellinis in Ambleside for a live screening of the service at Westminster Abbey.
Commenting on the service held at Westminster Abbey, Tim Farron, Member of Parliament for Westmorland & Lonsdale said: “That was a great sermon.
"As The Queen would surely have wanted it, Justin Welby when presented with the opportunity to speak the gospel to millions, seized it.
“I pray that many will respond. The passage read by the PM is the heart of it - John 14:6.”
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