Americans joined together to mark Britain’s saddest day with wall-to-wall coverage of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Dozens of people packed into Times Square as early as 5am this morning to watch the build up to Her Majesty’s service across the pond – despite the five hour time difference.
Many US publications had a live-stream of the funeral showing the Royals come together to make their respects for the Queen for a final time.
President Joe Biden with his wife Jill attended the service to pay there respected, with many members of the congregations arriving up to three hours early.
Thousands lined the streets to pay their respects, as millions tuned in across the globe to watch the final journey of Her Majesty.
The Washington Post led the coverage from inside of Westminster Abbey for the procession, with the New York Post and Los Angeles Times also having footage from the event.
CNN, ABC, Fox News and NBC all cancelled their usual coverage to follow the procession the entire way through, with royal commentators covering the build up to the occasion.
CNN was crowned top of the coverage in the US by DailyMail commentator Jaci Stephens when the Queen’s passing was announced – and marked her funeral with constant live coverage
The Wall Street Journal were one of many American sites to show a live stream of the entirely of the funeral
ABC shows a live stream in Times Square which started at 5am, with many out and about stopping to watch
The entirety of the event was easy to follow across the US, with many broadcasters following from the Abbey to Wellington Arch
CBS, CNBC, Spectrum News and MSNBC also all carried theri own special guests throughout the morning to mark the event.
It is the first time that cameras have been allowed inside the funeral of a monarch, with BBC’s coverage available both on TV and its website globally.
People magazine also followed the coverage, noting how Princess Charlotte, seven, honoured her great-grandmother.
The New York Times also had a live stream of the event, after receiving a huge backlash after posting several pieces criticising the costs of the funeral.
The newspaper published a story this week that, with apparent surprise, it would be up to UK taxpayers to foot the bill for the funeral on Monday.
Its report described the ceremony as a ‘hefty price tag’ for taxpayers amid rampant inflation and a cost of living crisis in the UK.
The paper estimated that the state funeral would cost around £6million, claiming the figure would add to the financial issues currently faced by British families.
The Los Angeles Times chose to make the occasion with a poignant picture of the Queen’s journey out of the Abbey with her family behind the coffin covered in the Royal Standard
The Washington Post also allowed its readers to follow the coverage live, marking the Queen’s death with a black motif
The New York Times also had a live stream of the event, after receiving a huge backlash after posting several pieces criticising the costs of the funeral
NBC news also covered the entirety of the event, following the Navy and guards along her journey
But it has now been revealed that the actual cost per household in Britain will be just five pence.
The New York Times had to admit it was wrong and promptly publish a correction to its story – noting that inflation was not actually as bad as it had initially reported.
Other publications continued to report on the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries, as thousands of world leaders and hundreds of members of the public began filing into the Abbey as billions around the world will watch Her Majesty’s state funeral.
Most of the VIPs arrived by coach, meeting at the Royal Hospital Chelsea before being put on a bus into Central London.
Britain’s ministers – past and present – were among the first arrivals including Nadham Zahawi, Ben Wallace and Jacob Rees-Mogg. But US President Jo Biden went to the Abbey in The Beast – his bomb-proof limousine.
Michael and Carole Middleton, the parents of Kate, the Princess of Wales, arrived two hours early for the service, followed by Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Consort, Camilla.
Fox News also followed the event, taking care to follow the Royals as they marched their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother toweards Buckingham Palace
Times Square showed a constant stream of the funeral, with other news also continuing to be covered
USA Today also showed live shots of Queen Elizabeth II’s casket being taken to Wellington Arch
They were also on a bus together – despite their close links to the Royal Family. Celebrities at the funeral include TV personality Bear Grylls.
Funeral flowers in the abbey featured myrtle – which was used in the Queen’s wedding bouquet as is royal tradition.
The huge white and green displays of blooms included asiatic lilies, gladioli, alstroemeria, eustoma and foliage of English oak, weeping birch and the sprigs of myrtle.
Around the coffin will stand the four tall yellow candles which usually rest around the grave of the unknown warrior at the entrance to the historic church.
And outside hardy royal fans defied no-camping rules, as people of all ages set up tents, deck chairs and even a makeshift minibar to grab premium seats for the spectacle that will see 2million flood into the capital.
By 8.30am member of the public were told that the procession route was full and began diverting people to Hyde Park to watch on the big screens.
Thomas Doherty, a media and cultural historian at Brandeis University told CNN: I do think the final send off and eulogies will have a huge audience—the drama, the pageantry, the ritual … a universal shared experience that TV thrives on.