Woman, 43, visited the Queen’s coffin seven times in 16 hours

A woman has revealed she’s visited Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh at least seven times. Elizabeth Sabey (pictured), a 43-year-old evangelist and missionary, explained to the BBC her reasoning for lining up for the visit on a number of occasions, saying that ‘there’s something divine there and it’s deeply moving’. She traveled from the Isle of Lewis and started lining up at 5 p.m. on Monday, reported the Telegraph. By 6:30 a.m., she had seen the late monarch’s coffin around five times.

Throughout the night, thousands of mourners queued and filed past Her Majesty, before her body begins the journey to London at 5 p.m. today ahead of the funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19. Speaking to the BBC, Ms Sabey said: ‘It’s beautiful when you enter into the Cathedral, it’s the atmosphere, the presence, there’s something of definitely divine there. It’s beyond words and I feel deeply moved every time I go through. I wouldn’t miss it so every time I’ve gone back again and again. Queen Elizabeth II was such a notable… irreplaceable and I wanted to pay my respects but it was more than that, it was an experience I just didn’t want to miss. Every time I’ve gone back… it’s been so beautiful.’

Ms Sabey was also inspired by the late monarch’s faith in God, according to The Telegraph. The Christian, who plans to visit the coffin as many times as she can before it departs for London, told the publication that she felt ‘God’s presence’ when visiting. She added: ‘Sometimes I’ve gone in and they’ve been praying or they’ve been changing the guards around her. It’s a once in a lifetime experience, and when you go round just once it’s like you just want to remember it. I am a Christian, a really strong Christian, and [the Queen] lived her life, faith was central to her life and essential to my life.’ She continued: ‘She’s not just a figurehead she’s actually a spiritual representative that actually walked the life of Jesus in a pure way, humble way.’ Ms Sabey had worked as a missionary in Cambodia. During lockdown, she said she ‘positioned myself on a bench’ to chat with people who were concerned or anxious about the Covid pandemic. Pictured: People queue to enter St. Giles’ Cathedral and pay respects to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth.

Sharon Baum, 53, and her partner Alison Evans, 50, were at the front of the queue on Monday, as members of the public paid personal tributes to the beloved late monarch. The couple queued up for nearly 11 hours and told MailOnline of their extraordinary experience on an historic day at St Giles’ Cathedral. Mrs Baum, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire said: ‘It was really serene and peaceful and solemn. We feel so privileged to be allowed to see it and do what we did. We felt like we were involved in a little bit of history.’

‘You can’t prepare yourself for how you are going to feel when you go through the door. I knew I would be upset. As soon as you are there it brings it all home. We are really big Royalists. I shed a tear — several. I said a little prayer and bowed my head. We probably could have stayed a little bit longer. There was nobody rushing you but there were so many people waiting. It was one of the most memorable and sad experiences of my life. I will remember it until my dying day. It was so emotional.’ The couple set off from their home at 10 p.m. on Saturday and drove through to travel to Ballater near Balmoral at 5 a.m. as the Queen made her final journey from the castle. By Monday night, the couple was returning home but are hoping to be in London for the Queen’s funeral.

Eleanor Wardrop, 72, and her twin sister Jennifer Davis were among the first in the queue arriving at 8 a.m. on Monday. The former executive PA said: ‘It was a priceless moment. It really was very, very special. It was completely serene, just so dignified and quiet. It was just so beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. People were taking their time, walking slowly. Men were saluting to the Queen, bowing to the Queen and the women were curtseying. I did a little curtsy as I went past. I was so glad that I was able to honor her in that way.’ She continued:  ‘It was very quiet. There were two ministers on duty saying prayers as we walked through. It was very dignified. There were the archers standing there with their heads bowed and there were police guards as well.’

Describing the experience, Eleanor said: ‘We wanted to come to the vigil to pay a personal tribute. We grew up with the Queen. She has been a constant in our lives. She was our true north. She took an oath and she stood by it her whole life. As a young woman she promised to do her duty and she did that right to the end. She was a remarkable woman and nobody else will ever be like her. She has been a role model to us all.’ Pictured: The public filing past the Queen’s body at St. Giles. 

Peter Binder, 60, traveled with wife Georgina from the north of Scotland, arriving at 7 a.m. He said: ‘There were literally half a dozen people but that changed very quickly. It’s been a very long day but it has certainly been worthwhile. There has been a very good spirit in the crowd. Everyone has got to know each other. We have been supporting each other and there has been a good camaraderie. I suppose we are proud British monarchists. It has been a very moving experience.’

King Charles III, his sister, the Princess Royal, and brothers, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex, all arrived at St Giles’ Cathedral after the sun had set over the Scottish capital, then kept a vigil by their mother’s coffin from 7:46 p.m. until 7:56 p.m. while members of the public walked past silently.

The King, who was wearing the Prince Charles Edward Stuart tartan and white heather in his lapel from Balmoral, kept his hands joined and looked towards the floor as he stood alongside four suited members of the Royal Company of Archers, who were standing guard dressed in long-feathered hats and armed with arrows and quivers. Afterwards, tears appeared to fill his eyes as the monarch completed an emotional day, which began with him addressing MPs in the Palace of Westminster.

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