
Saint John N.B. residents gather to watch funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Global News
More than 70 people gathered at the Imperial Theatre in N.B., to watch the funeral of the queen. 'She was a remarkable person, so I just had to come and pay respects," said one.
Over 4,000 kilometres away from London, England, a small crowd gathered in Saint John, N.B., Monday morning to observe the funeral proceedings of Queen Elizabeth II.
Residents began to walk through the doors at the Imperial Theatre from the moment it opened at 5:45 a.m.
With the sun still yet to rise, the theatres glowing outdoor tribute to her Majesty the Queen lit up the street, giving a warm welcome to the more than 70 spectators.
“She’s been on the throne for 70 years, and I’m 69,” resident Alan Tibbetts said, reflecting on the queen’s unprecedented reign.
“She was a remarkable person, so I just had to come and pay respects. It’s better than sitting alone in front of the TV.”
The theatre displayed a live broadcast of the funeral, offering those in attendance a warm drink and a package of tissues bearing the queen’s face in case anyone became teary-eyed.
Angela Campbell, the executive director of the Imperial Theatre, said given the “epic life” the queen lived, her team knew a public event would appeal to the community.
“I think she was well respected, and she lived with such grace that people just want to honour her life and everything she’s done,” Campbell remarked.