From our special correspondent in London,
Walk in Hyde Park, changing of the royal guard at Buckingham Palace, shopping on Piccadilly Circus and pub crawl. For many foreign tourists who came to spend the weekend in London, the program was already precise. But the announcement Thursday evening of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who died at the age of 96, has somewhat upset their plans.
Between a gloomy atmosphere and extraordinary commemorations, the London getaway took a particular turn. “Basically, I came to party with my cousin,” says Martin, 23, still incredulous. Determined to enjoy his week of fiesta in the British capital, the 23-year-old arrived from Poland “two days before the death of the queen. When we heard the news, we immediately went to Buckingham Palace, where the crowd was gathered. It’s a very bizarre experience: suddenly, we are confronted with the pain of an entire nation mourning its queen, it’s very strange! It’s a shame to have arrived in London in such circumstances, laments the young man. But we still hope to make the most of it, go to the pub, drink beers and have fun! »
Alexandre, he arrived with his friend in the British capital on Thursday. “We had planned this weekend for a long time, to go to the Harry Potter Studio and have a good time. But as soon as we arrived at the hotel, we learned of the death of Queen Elisabeth. That evening, in the streets, the atmosphere was quite gloomy, it was tense and bizarre, but we know how much the English were attached to their queen.
“People were crying as if they had lost someone in their family”
Like Martin, Alexandre immediately went to Buckingham Palace. “It was crowded, there were flowers everywhere, the press from all over the world and helicopters circling above the palace, it was crazy, says the Frenchman. We saw people crying as if they had lost someone from their family, it was both moving and very impressive at the same time. But what is surprising is that the very next day, the English took it philosophically and celebrated their new king. »
Coming to Green Park, where an ephemeral memorial has been installed in honor of the deceased sovereign, Gabriela was surprised by the emotion that grips the British. “We don’t have a monarch, an important figure to whom the nation is attached, explains the young Venezuelan. So to see all this fervor, this emotion, these thousands of bouquets of flowers placed in his memory, it’s incredible. »
“We will remember this trip all our lives! »
Although his getaway didn’t quite go as planned, Alexandre doesn’t regret for a second being in London at such a special time. “It didn’t spoil our stay, far from it! We will leave with the feeling of having witnessed an important moment in history! This trip to London, for sure, we will remember it all our lives! »
Came to “taste the so British atmosphere”, the French couple then went from Buckingham Palace to Camden Town, one of London’s lively districts. “We still went down a few pints at the pub! For a successful trip to London, it was a must! »