A Malvern shop owner has spoken about how he stumbled upon a moment in history.
Sean Austin, owner of Austin & Co, was in London for a trade show on Tuesday when he ended up witnessing the moment the Queen’s coffin arrived in the capital.
Whilst waiting at Paddington for a train back to Malvern, Mr Austin read that the hearse bringing Her Majesty to Buckingham Palace would be passing by the station and made a snap decision to go and join the crowds lining the street.
“You make one of those instant decisions to delay your trip back to go and stand on the route, call it curiosity or just wanting to be part of a major national event,” he said.
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“I was struck by the silence of the hundreds upon hundreds of people at Lancaster Gate when the hearse went past, as well as the conversations you'd have with complete strangers in the 45 minutes preceding it.
“How everyone put down their umbrellas, despite the rain, so people standing in rows behind could catch a glimpse.
“And as quickly as we assembled, we all went off in our separate directions, for me it was to catch a train two hours later than planned.
“I'm glad I did it though.”
Mr Austin added that he found the organisation of the procedure as remarkable as the sense of community it created among strangers.
He said: “What also struck me was the scale of the organisation involved, from the police to the local street cleaners.
“This isn't an occasion that's simply put together in a few days but the culmination of many years of planning and rehearsal.
“I only took the one photo, I wanted to capture the moment, but I also wanted to take the time to live in the moment.”
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Mr Austin's shop, on Worcester Road, is one of many stores in Malvern which will close for the Queen’s funeral on Monday, September 19.
“Like many other shops in Great Malvern, whether they are national chains or independent retailers like myself, Austin & Co will be closed on Monday out of respect for HM The Queen.”
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