‘How I watched history unfold outside Buckingham Palace’

He said: “I needed to change trains at Victoria and with half an hour to kill, decided I’d stroll around the corner to bow my head for a few moments in remembrance of a woman I’ve always admired.

“I was returning south having spent the evening and morning working with colleagues across dnata Travel Group and sharing our sadness at the Queen’s passing with our team mates, industry partners and customers, and our admiration for her achievements. We’ll never know her like again. 

“Having had my own brush with mortality earlier this year, her passing had affected me more than I expected, and it’s been another reminder of the fragility and impermanence of life.

“The atmosphere as I approached the palace was respectful and hushed, and there was a real sense of being at a pivotal moment in this country’s history. What struck me was the mix of ages, ethnicities and nationalities that I saw. She may have been our Queen, but she really was also a Queen for the world. 

“As I stood taking it all in, speaking to Americans, Canadians and people from France and Germany who had gathered, it became apparent something was happening.