NORTH Essex stood still as families, dignitaries and politicians alike said a fond farewell to their Queen.

King Charles III was left close to tears during a state funeral service at Westminster Abbey where the Archbishop of Canterbury said the late monarch was a “joyful” figure for many.

Tens of thousands of mourners lined the ceremonial procession route from the Abbey to Wellington Arch, where the Queen’s coffin left for her Berkshire home of Windsor Castle and a committal service.

Her coffin was borne on a gun carriage in a spectacle not seen for many generations, as hundreds of soldiers, sailors and airmen marched to solemn funeral pieces or lined the route.

Gazette: Emotional - King Charles IIIEmotional - King Charles III (Image: PA)

In Colchester, mayor Tim Young described the funeral as a time for “contemplation and reflection”.

Watching with mayoress Nicola Goodchild, Mr Young said: “I thought it was quite moving, it was an excellent service.

“We were both sitting there realising we were watching a real moment of history and a great tribute to our longest serving monarch.”

The 61-year-old added: “She was a constant presence in my life; you’d always just assumed she was there as a calming presence watching over our nation”.

Gazette: Moved - Tim YoungMoved - Tim Young (Image: Newsquest)

Witham MP Priti Patel was spotted marshalling the queue for the Queen’s lying-in-state as the line stretched for up to five miles on Sunday.

Meanwhile, new Foreign Secretary James Cleverly attended a reception at Buckingham Palace put on for world leaders.

The Braintree MP was among about 500 guests at the palace on the eve of the funeral, having entered through the Bow Room entrance where the Bidens and Prime Minister Liz Truss also arrived.

Gazette: Tribute - Ivan HendersonTribute - Ivan Henderson (Image: Newsquest)

Harwich mayor and former MP Ivan Henderson, who met Her Majesty on three occasions, said he watched on “in both sadness and pride” throughout the funeral.

“The whole country has come together and shone a light across the world displaying how great a nation we are at showing appreciation to those we love,” he said.

“She was a really down to earth, lovely person who always made sure she had time for everyone.”