A stream of mourners laid flowers and tributes outside Buckingham Palace on Friday, which became the focal point of a country mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Stone-faced soldiers in red cloaks and bearskin hats guarded the Palace, the late Queen’s London headquarters during her 70-year reign.

Mourners stood in silence and watched while some laid bouquets in the black railings of the prominent residence.

“We just wanted to pay tribute to the Queen,” said Natalie Vehring, a violinist who has performed at concerts the Queen has attended.

She was at the palace in school uniform with her husband and two sons while she was on a video call with her mother in Australia.

“My mother says she remembers the death of the King,” added the 46-year-old, referring to the Queen’s father, George VI, who died in 1952.

“I grew up in Australia, the monarchy was a very big part of our childhood, we sang the national anthem at school every day.

“It’s amazing how she worked the day before she died,” she added.

People left behind candles in jars, rain-soaked Union Jack flags, newspapers with the late Queen’s picture on them, and personal notes.

“Thanks. You have served our country to the end. Faithful in God,” said one message.

“Thank you for your service, ma’am. You were a guiding light in dark times, the foundation of a nation, our strength and our abiding. Rest in peace,” read another.

A note signed by “the coffee ladies” read: “Lovely Queen. Thank you, thank you for your steadfastness, your loyalty and your long reign”.

Joan Russell, 55, a project manager from East London, had tears rolling down her cheeks as she looked at the flowers.

“I came to say a prayer,” she told AFP news agency.

“Charles had such a great example to follow. I believe he will do his utmost to continue his parents’ legacy.”

There were similar scenes in Windsor, west of London, as well-wishers, many of whom wept, left hundreds of bouquets of flowers and lit candles outside the gates of the late Queen’s beloved castle.

One of those in tears was Marina Flynn, 79, whose husband used to work with the Queen’s husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

“She was wonderful, she did nothing wrong. I’ve met them a few times with the Duke and they’ve always been very nice. I just feel devastated,” said Flynn, who was dressed in black.

Others expressed concern about the new King Charles III.

“Oh, I worry about what he would do,” said Estrella Linch, 78.

“He’s not a decisive man, he doesn’t know how to make big decisions,” she added.

In Scotland, the Queen’s former residence at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, which will house Elizabeth’s coffin before it travels to London, also became a focus of the honours.

Locals and curious tourists came to meditate in silence and to lay flowers as preparations for receiving the Queen’s coffin began.

Gardeners worked hard to tidy up the lawns while the smell of cut grass and rain wafted through the Scottish capital.

“All this pomp and fame is going to be a beautiful thing and a very sad thing,” said Rebecca Evans, 44, who works for a climate change think tank.

“It’s going to be an interesting few days.”