Thousands queue in sweltering Hong Kong heat to pay tribute to Queen
SOME residents waited up to three hours in stuffy and sweltering heat to pay their respects.
Queen: Thousands queue to pay tribute in Hong Kong
Residents in Hong Kong have been waiting for hours to lay flowers at the British consulate to pay tribute to the Queen. Footage released on social media has shown thousands of Hong Kong residents queuing for hours in temperatures of 35 degrees to pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II. As the world mourns the loss of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, members of the former British colony were desperate to pay their respects despite the fractured relationship with the Royal family. In the footage, which is sped up to capture the sheer length of the queues, Hong Kong residents can be seen huddling under umbrellas to escape the sun in lines that were estimated to be nearing a kilometre long. Elsewhere, tributes continue to pour in for the Queen as world leaders honour her memory.
The overwhelming support for the Queen, as well as His Majesty King Charles II, following her passing on Thursday has extended thousands of miles from the UK.
Memorial events have been held in recent days throughout Australia, which the Queen visited 16 times during her 70 years on the throne, with floral tributes springing up outside government buildings in Sydney and Canberra.
The sails of the Sydney Opera House, which Her Majesty helped open in 1973, were lit up with the Queen's image on Friday and Saturday.
And on Sunday, King Charles III was officially proclaimed as Australia's new head of state with ceremonies taking place at Government House and Parliament House in Canberra.
Elsewhere, New Zealand said it will mark the Queen's death with a public holiday on Monday September 26.
The nation will also hold a state memorial service in the capital, Wellington, on the same day.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Queen was an extraordinary person and many would appreciate the opportunity to mark her death and celebrate her life.
“As New Zealand's Queen and much-loved sovereign for over 70 years, it is appropriate that we mark her life of dedicated public service with a state memorial service and a one-off public holiday,” Ms Ardern said.
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She also said New Zealand will not pursue becoming a republic following the Queen's death, and that she will leave for Britain this week for the former monarch's funeral.
And closer to home, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to the Queen as the “anchor of our nation” ahead of a Motion of Condolence in the Scottish Parliament.
Ms Sturgeon said that in an “ever-changing world, especially in turbulent times” the Queen had been a “great constant”.
She also spoke about the Queen's “genuine love of Scotland” and her “profound sense of public service”, which Ms Sturgeon said “never faltered”.
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Her comments came ahead of tributes to Elizabeth II at a special sitting of the Scottish Parliament later on Monday.
All business there was suspended last week after it was announced on Thursday that the Queen had died peacefully at Balmoral Castle.
World leaders from around the globe are expected to descend upon the UK for the Queen’s funeral next week. US President Joe Biden announced his intention to attend the funeral on Friday.
Interest in attending the funeral is believed to be so widespread that foreign countries will reportedly be limited to having just one official present, as well as their significant other.
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