THEY came to say goodbye to a queen. Royals, VIPs and ordinary members of the public from across the world converged on Westminster in their thousands to honour and celebrate the Queen Mother's life today.

The poignant sound of Westminster Abbey's Tenor Bell counted down the minutes - with a toll for each year of her life - to the nation's final farewell to the remarkable 101-year-old.

People of all ages were already gathering in central London as the doors to Westminster Hall closed at 6am, bringing to an end the public's homage to the Queen Mother.

Some began camping outside Westminster Abbey at the weekend. Others went straight from witnessing the lying in state of the Queen Mother's coffin in the hall. All were there to witness the end of another chapter in Britain's royal history.

Prince Charles - Elizabeth's closest grandson - looked close to tears as he walked behind the coffin, accompanied by his two sons, Princes William and Harry.

The Archbishop of Canterbury paid tribute to the Queen Mother's gifts of "strength, dignity and laughter". "Like the sun, she bathed us in her warm glow. Now that the sun has set and the cool of the evening has come, some of the warmth we absorbed is flowing back towards her," he told mourners at her Westminster Abbey funeral service.

Dr George Carey said: "In the ten days since she left us, there have been countless tributes and expressions of affection and respect - including those of the many people who have queued and filed patiently past her coffin lying-in-state. "How should we explain the numbers? Not just by the great length of a life, famously lived to the full.

"It has to do with her giving of herself so readily and openly."

As Dr Carey spoke, the Prince of Wales appeared to struggle with his emotions. The Queen listened intently with head bowed.

To the sound of 128 pipers, and with flag-waving crowds up to ten-deep lining the streets, the Queen Mother's coffin was borne on the same gun carriage used for her husband George VI's funeral 50 years ago to the splendour of Westminster Abbey.

For more stories and pictures of today's events see tonight's Daily Echo.