A nation in mourning: Stream of people visits Palace and Windsor as public pays respects

A steady stream of people has been arriving at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace to lay flowers in tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh.

Bunches of daffodils were among dozens of tributes to Prince Philip placed by the gates of the palace in central London within moments of the announcement of his death, with many people opting to wear face coverings while paying their respects.

Live updates as world reacts to death of Prince Philip

Many were placed before the government asked people not to lay flowers or gather at the royal residences, as coronavirus restrictions remain in place.

Police, mounted on horses, reminded those gathered to adhere to social distancing guidelines and remain two metres apart from other groups.

Stewards later put a barrier around the palace gates, aimed at preventing overcrowding.

Members of the public were advised to join a queue to take pictures.

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In Windsor, members of the public were encouraged to leave any tributes at the Cambridge Gate on the Long Walk.

Well-wishers arriving with flowers at the Henry VIII Gate in the town centre were directed to the other location by police officers.

Bells at a number of churches around the country tolled to mark his passing, with St Giles in central London and Christ Church in Oxford among them, and flags were lowered to half mast at all government sites.

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Racegoers stood still and bowed their heads solemnly as they held two minutes of silence at the Aintree course in Liverpool, where crowds have begun to gather ahead of Saturday’s Grand National.

Jockeys wore black armbands in respect.

Sky’s home editor Jason Farrell, who is outside Windsor Castle, said: “There has been a steady stream of people coming with bouquets of flowers and I could see more of them wandering up the road, just to lay those down here at the gates of Windsor Castle.

“There has been this warning about the police not wanting people to break COVID restrictions.

“People are generally coming, laying the flowers and then going away.

“There’s not that many people hanging around, but there are a few people just along the sides of the roads with their cameras out, taking photographs, just taking in the moment, coming here to pay their respects, perhaps not even carrying flowers… to stand for a moment outside the castle and reflect on the loss of the Duke of Edinburgh.

“You can see that there’s a bit of a police presence here as well, just talking to the general public, but it’s not huge.”

One of those who came to Windsor Castle to pay their respects, Eric Boisseau, said: “He brought stability, thorough hard times – and God knows they’ve had hard times.

“He supported his family and he supported the community – he’s a hero.”

Susie Oliver added: “Without his support, Elizabeth couldn’t have been the remarkable Queen that she has been.

“I used to see him carriage driving in Windsor and it’s been an honour living in his back garden.”

Natalie Oliver was visiting Windsor with children.

She said: “He was a lovely man – and a great figurehead that we looked up to.”

At Buckingham Palace, royal household staff placed a framed sign announcing Philip’s death on the front gates a short time after the official announcement.

Around 30 people quickly began queueing to read the sign, despite the police presence.

It was part of an age-old tradition of placing a notice on the railings of Buckingham Palace, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, the notice was taken down to prevent crowds forming.

The statement read: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

“Further announcements will be made in due course.

“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

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Sky correspondent Ashish Joshi, at Buckingham Palace, said: “It’s still Easter holidays, there are families who would have been here anyway, so… once the news broke, naturally, they would have found themselves walking towards the gates of Buckingham Palace.

“It’s all very quiet. They are respecting social distancing rules… they are staying apart… but as I think the afternoon wears on, you will have more people who are coming in. Maybe they will stop for a minute.

“Here in southwest London, Buckingham Palace will become the focal point now for the world.“

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Amid fears large numbers of people would gather at the royal sites, with many COVID restrictions still in place, a Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “Although this is an extraordinarily difficult time for many, we are asking the public not to gather at Royal Residences, and continue to follow public health advice particularly on avoiding meeting in large groups and on minimising travel.

“We are supporting the Royal Household in asking that floral tributes should not be laid at Royal Residences at this time.”

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