People in the United Kingdom say they will remember the funeral of the Queen as the event that made them fall in love with the royal family once again.
Life is returning to normal after 10 days of mourning, extraordinary crowds and queues in London. But while the Elizabethan era might be over, some locals say the monarchy is as "strong as ever."
Her majesty Queen Elizabeth's funeral was a markedly sombre affair compared to the jubilee and recent royal weddings, mourners said.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried inside St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle at the Committal Service. Photo: AFP / Ben Birchall / Pool
However, Cheryl Oare and Gemma Folkes said it had been an important piece of history for them and their daughters to be part of.
They had travelled to the committal ceremony in Windsor from Wales.
"These guys are at high school taking options, and they've both taken history. So it's quite good for them to go back to school and say 'well we were there, we've seen it," Folkes said.
"And we love the royal family," Oare added.
While the funeral has been decades in planning, locals said the scale of the commemorations had taken them by surprise.
The service on Monday drew an extra million people to London, according to estimates by the city's transport authority - with as many as four billion viewers worldwide.
The Ceremonial Procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the Long Walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the Committal Service at St George's Chapel. Photo: AFP / Pool
While the country has been gripped by a cost of living crisis and sky-rocketing energy bills, the death of the longest reigning monarch brought about a kind of suspended reality.
Gavin Crittenden said the funeral was the largest event he had been part of.
It appeared to have captured the attention of all kinds of people, including those like him who did not typically engage with the monarchy, he said.
"It's something else completely. The crowd's just been enormous. All over the country, really."
James Matthews from Devon agreed.
"It's really taken the nation, hasn't it," he said.
Sue Luker, from Ascot, said location possibly played a role in that.
London was typically the hub of most royal occasions, but this time the wider UK had the chance to participate, she said.
"She passed away in Scotland and in a way I think that's brought the United Kingdom together. 'Cause I think the Scottish people realised just how important it is to be a part of the United Kingdom," she said.
"It was wonderful that Scottish people could also pay their respects. She was lying in rest in Scotland before she came to London."
Cheryl Oare believed the event had galvanised the UK, and the popularity of Queen Elizabeth may just carry over to King Charles and the rest of the royal family.
"I think everyone's fallen in love with them again. People appreciate them more than last week, the week before, I think."
