TRIBUTES continue to pour in for the late Queen Elizabeth following her death last week.
Several mourners paid their respects to the Queen, who reigned for 70 years, by laying flowers on the steps of the Civic Centre in Southampton.
This comes after a special wreath laying ceremony took place outside the city building on Friday, September 9.
Southampton man Spencer Clark laid flowers alongside his mum Caroline Clark, 70, and son Harrison Clark, 10.
He said: “We came here so the little man (Harrison) can pay his respects as he was sad about everything that happened.
“I am feeling optimistic about the future, very much so. Charles will do a decent job.”
Caroline added: “It’s heart-breaking the Queen has gone, it’s all I’ve ever known.
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“It’s a new era and I do also feel optimistic, especially after the way Charles spoke in his address.”
Three generations of the Wellman family decided to pay their respects to the Queen – with one member of the family wearing a special dress just for the occasion.
Pat Wellman, 65, her daughter Katherine Wellman, 38 and her two daughters Anabella Zarina and Laura (11 months), laid flowers at the scene.
Katherine said: “Anabella wanted to go to Buckingham Palace but it’s too far to go, so she phoned nanny (Pat) and asked if she wanted to come here.
“She’s hopeful the new King will come down here, which would be nice.”
Friends Lisa Tomlinson, Fiona Walker, and Tracy Bolwell travelled from the New Forest to see the display.
Fiona, 54, said: “We are never going to see a Queen again in our lifetime. It’s very sobering.”
Tracy said: “I think things are going to change and Charles will surprise us.”
Alison Parsons from Southampton brought flowers to the scene and described Queen Elizabeth as “my Queen” who has “always been a guiding hand.”
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Paul Sings, 42, and his son Cameron, five, were also among those laying flowers on the steps of the Civic Centre.
Paul, from Southampton, said: “Cameron is young and it’s important that he learns about part of our history which is part of his life.
“This is something he is going to grow up with. It’s important to be a part of it as Elizabeth was Queen for 70 years.”
Many written tributes were left at the scene.
One read: “Remembering the life of someone who dutily served as a servant to her people, for her whole life. She will never be forgotten.
“May you now rest in peace.”
Another said: “We are utterly heartbroken at the loss of pour beloved Queen.
“She was our matriarch, our heritage, our sovereign, and the soul of our nation.”
Councils in and around Southampton will be marking her death with the reading of the proclamation on Sunday.
The proclamation of his Kingship will take place in Southampton, Eastleigh, New Forest, Fareham and Gosport.
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