Tearful Becks says ‘we’ll never see her like again’ after queuing for 13 hours to see Queen’s coffin
Becks #Becks
TEARFUL David Beckham queued for almost 13 hours to see the Queen’s coffin yesterday before declaring: “We’ll never see her like again.”
The former Three Lions captain got in line at 1.45am on Friday — although remained unnoticed for several hours as everyone edged toward Westminster Hall.
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David Beckham queued for almost 13 hours to see the Queen’s coffinCredit: Louis Wood 
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Becks declared: ‘We’ll never see her like again’ 
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Beckham bows his head as he pays his respects to Her MajestyCredit: Louis Wood
Once spotted he posed for selfies and chatted away to his fellow queuers, and revealed he was doing it in memory of his late grandparents.
When he finally filed past the Queen’s coffin at 3.26pm he was visibly emotional, struck by the solemn atmosphere.
So many people wanted to join the queue yesterday it had to be paused for new arrivals for several hours, with warnings people may have wait for over a day.
It is understood Beckham was offered the chance to jump the queue but took his place with the general public in the middle of the night instead.
The Manchester United legend, 47, said: “I thought by coming at 2am it was going to be a little bit quieter. I was wrong.
“Everyone had that in mind.
“Everyone wants to be here to be part of this experience and to celebrate what Her Majesty has done for us.”
Asked if Britain would ever see her like again, he gently shook his head and said: “I don’t think so, no.”
The dad of four, awarded an OBE by Her Majesty in 2003, added after leaving Westminster Hall: “It’s very emotional, the silence, the feeling in the room is very hard to explain.
“We’re all there saying thanks to Her Majesty for being kind, for being caring, for being reassuring throughout the years she’s been our Queen.
“The legacy that she has left is incredible.
“I think for someone to have led the country the way she led our country for the amount of years she did with the respect that she has gained around the world, not just in our own country, speaks volumes for what she’s done for us.
“Everyone feels the same and that’s why we all queued up today because I think it’s the right thing to do.
“Us paying respect to our Queen.”
Earlier he told how he wanted to pay tribute for his grandparents, who were staunch royalists.
Smartly dressed in a black three-piece suit and flat cap, the East Londoner said: “I grew up in a household of royalists and I was brought up that way.
“If my grandparents would have been here today I know they would have wanted to be here.
“So I’m here on their behalf of my family and also to celebrate with everybody else.”
Becks said he was lucky to meet the Queen several times during his career.
He went on: “Every time that we stood there and wore those Three Lions shirts and I had my armband and we sang “God Save Our Queen” that was something that meant so much to us and every time that we did it, it was something special.”
It comes as…
He appeared to remain unnoticed for several hours as he edged his way quietly along with everyone else by the Thames.
Behind him was Danielle Lewis, 49, from Dartford, Kent.
She said: “We only noticed him around 12pm.
“He was quite solemn.
“He was stopping for pictures with people but he didn’t really say anything – he seemed lost in his own thoughts.
“But he was lovely.”
Good Morning Britain TV presenter Susanna Reid, was also in the queue on Thursday accompanying her mum.
She later tweeted: “Along with my lovely mum and her very good friend, I have just experienced a moment in history – witnessing the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall.
“At once majestic and peaceful.”
She added: “If you are planning to queue here are our tips. We joined at 1.23pm near Butlers Wharf and entered Westminster Hall at 8.43pm – 7 hours 20 mins.
“Wear the comfiest shoes you own. Go with someone if you can, although everyone in the queue was friendly.
“Don’t carry too much in a bag – water is freely available and there are lots of cafes along the route. Also plenty of toilets.
“I put my phone on low battery mode and it lasted the entire time.”
Her colleagues Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield also paid their own tribute, but accessed the hall as working journalists so avoided a lengthy queuing time.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern was also seen paying her respects ahead of Monday’s state funeral.
Also seen there yesterday was Victoria Cross winner Johnson Beharry, who saved his comrades’ lives in Iraq in 2004.
Johnsen, who was with his wife Mallisa, said the Queen was a perfect role model.
He told The Sun: “We talk about commitment, loyalty, integrity.
“She displayed all those values and standards and anyone who doesn’t look up to her doesn’t understand what values really are.”
World champion boxer Tyson Fury was also pictured yesterday laying flowers outside Buckingham Palace along with his wife Paris.
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England ace Becks stands in the queue to see the Queen’s coffinCredit: Avalon.red 
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Beckham was given a police escort after paying his respects at Westminster HallCredit: Reuters 
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Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield also paid their own tributeCredit: Ruckas 
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Susanna Reid was in the queue accompanying her mum on ThursdayCredit: ITV News 
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New Zealand PM Jacinta Ardern was seen paying her respects ahead of Monday’s state funeralCredit: The Mega Agency 
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Victoria Cross winner Johnson Beharry, with wife Mallisa, said the Queen was a perfect role modeCredit: Chris Eades