‘End of an era’: how the Queen’s funeral was seen around the world

From Melbourne to Paris, New York to Delhi, the solemn events in London resonated across the globe.

As the doors to Westminster Abbey opened to allow guests to take their seats, across the other side of the world, Australians sat down in front of their TVs to watch the historic event.

Although they were largely empty, English pubs in the central business district of Melbourne broadcast the funeral on big screens.

Rick Tonk, from West Yorkshire, was watching at the Charles Dickens Tavern with his parents. “We’ll spend some time here just taking in the atmosphere and we’ll be able to say goodbye,” Tonk said. “It’s been very solemn, for a lot of people around the world. They’ll be watching.”

He said it had been strange to be so far away from home as such a historic event unfolded and while her death was not a complete shock, it still felt like it came out of nowhere.

“It’s really the turning of a page, the dawning of a new age – just saying goodbye to the one person who has been our monarch for so long.”

The tavern’s owner, John Davie, said the coverage leading up to the funeral had “watered-down” interest in Australia. “The coverage it’s had leading up to probably the most important day of the lot, it’s probably not done it a service,” Davie said.

“Whereas in the UK people are queuing for days to pay respects. I think people here are just a little bit burnt-out. It’s a lot to take in.”