Unearthed footage from Buckingham Palace on the day Queen Elizabeth II died

Most people can remember exactly where they were on 8 September 2022,the day Queen Elizabeth II died. TV stations were filled with rollingroyal news, the royals gathered in Balmoral, where she passed away, andthe whole world seemed as though it stood still, united in mourning. A video has been shared online showing the emotive scenes outside Buckingham Palace, just minutes after the news broke.

London Tour Guide, David Harry, aka The London Spy, specialises in royal and espionage tours, and upon hearing the news, he rushed to pay tribute at Buckingham Palace, and then captured a moving moment when mourners began an impromptu rendition of God Save the Queen. David panned the camera around to capture the beautiful coming together of voices.

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When he shared the footage to his Instagram feed this week, many of his 147,000 followers rushed to add a gushing comment. "Incredíble David, so emotive," and: "Still as heartbreaking," people wrote. A third comment read: "When I heard the news I did have a tear in my eye. She was our queen and [sorely] missed. Charles is trying to be a good king but he has big shoes to fill". A fourth person penned: "The longest [reigning] Monarch! She devoted her life to service!"

News of the Queen's death was announced by Buckingham Palace in a statement that read: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow." The announcement was also officially posted to the railings outside Buckingham Palace by aides dressed in black, while the Union flag was lowered to half-mast, as can be seen in the above video.

© WPA Pool

What did King Charles say about his mother's death?

In a deeply personal statement following the death of his mother, the King shared that it was "a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family".

© Photo: Getty Images

He went on to say: "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."