David Beckham queues for over 12 hours to pay his final respects to Queen Elizabeth
By 9Honey|
Former England football captain David Beckham has joined thousands of mourners queueing for more than 12 hours to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth.
The 47-year-old football star reportedly arrived around 2am with no fanfare or special treatment and joined the end of the line, just like everyone else.
Dressed in a navy suit and flat cap, he waited patiently in the long queue, chatting comfortably with members of the public and obliging in selfies.
READ MORE: Prince William and Kate meet Aussie troops taking part in Queen's funeral
Beckham said it's an experience that's meant to be shared.
"We all want to be here together," he told the BBC.
READ MORE: ?Decision for Prince Harry to wear military uniform to Queen's vigil was 'at the King's request'
"We all want to experience something where we celebrate the amazing life of our Queen."
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star said he'd been sharing sandwiches, crisps and coffee with fellow mourners.
Those standing with Beckham praised him for paying respect to the Queen along with everyone else.
"I thought by coming at 2am it was going to be a little bit quieter จC I was wrong," he told ITV News.
Speaking of his reasons for wanting to pay his respects, the former footballer said his biggest moments on the field involved honouring the Queen.?
"Every time that we stood there when we wore those Three Lion shirts and I had my armband and we sang God Save The Queen, that was something that meant so much to us.
"Every time that we did it, it was something special."
Beckham told reporters he loved swapping stories with others in the line around him and said he felt very "lucky" to have spent time with the Queen.
"The most special moment for me was to receive my OBE," Beckham recalled.
"I took my grandparents with me, who were the ones that really brought me up to be a huge royalist and a fan of the royal family, and obviously I had my wife there as well.
"To step up, to get my honour, but then also Her Majesty, to ask questions, to talk, I was so lucky that I was able to have a few moments like that in my life, to be around Her Majesty.?"
After queueing for half a day, Beckham said his back and feet were sore.
He eventually walked through Westminster Hall around 3.20pm, removing his cap? once inside to make his way past the late monarch's coffin.
Beckham had grief etched on his face as he walked through the Palace of Westminster to pay his respects.
"We have been lucky as a nation to have someone who has led us the way Her Majesty has led us, for the amount of time, with kindness, with caring and always reassurance," Beckham told Associated Press.
"I think that's the one thing that we all felt safe and we will continue that with the royal family but I think Her Majesty was someone special and will be missed not just by everyone in our country but everyone around the world."
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here
