Islanders pay final respects to Queen

At one picnic blanket sat a group of parents of Melrose pupils, sharing the day.

Among them was Martin Search, who was there with his wife Kate and their five-year-old daughter Savannah.

‘We wanted to pay our respects,’ Mr Search said.

‘In my lifetime, this is one of the most important things to happen.’

He said he found he had been quite moved during the mourning period.

Also sharing the blanket was Marc and Evelina Farror and their five-year-old daughter Katya.

The experience was especially strange for Mrs Farror, who is originally from Belarus and is now a naturalised Briton. As part of that process, she swore allegiance to the Crown.

‘I felt I wanted to give her my respects,’ she said.

‘She was special. It’s nice to see this moment in history.’

On another picnic blanket was Robert and Kirsty Milton, with their children Emilia, 3, and Monty, 1.

‘We do not know too many people on the island, and we wanted to be with the community for this,’ said Mr Milton.

Most people wore casual clothes, but there were nods to officialdom.

Sally and Tony Wenlock wore their medals to the event, as they attended with their 17-year-old daughter, Flo.

Mrs Wenlock was a member of the Royal Army Medical Corps, while Mr Welbeck served in Northern Ireland as part of the Royal Corps of Transport.

They said they felt it was important to pay their respects.

The island Scouts were helping out with the event. Bailiwick commissioner Andy Snell said they were pleased to be involved.

‘We’ve had a connection with the Royal Family since the very early days of Scouting,’ he said.

‘It’s nice to see so many young people here today.’

In the middle of the seating area was couple Andrew, 70, and Margaret Redhead, 69. Mr Redhead spent many years involved with Scouting, while Mrs Redhead was there representing the Bailiwick’s Trefoil Guides.

‘The Queen has always been very supporting to Scouts and Guides over the years.’