A ROYALIST from Colchester may have formed a friendship for life after travelling to the capital where the Her Majesty the Queen is lying-in-state.

Carol Hamill, 68, headed to Westminster Hall, in London, to pay her respects to the country’s longest-serving monarch, who died at the age of 96 last Thursday.

After joining the slaloming queue, made up of thousands of mourners looking to pass Her Royal Highness’ coffin, Carol met fellow royal fan Rachel Bond, 47.

Amidst their grief, the pair became close, connecting over their love of the Queen as they waited for hours on end to catch a glimpse of her lying-in-state.

Speaking at the time Carol said: “I have bought lots of food to keep me going and we have looked after the space so we can both stretch our legs and buy coffees.

“It is so special as she has been Queen all our lives.”

In addition to travelling to London to commemorate and honour Her Majesty’s unrivalled 70-year reign, Carol also did so in support of King Charles III.

“We forget that while we are mourning the Queen, he is mourning his mother, so it must be so hard for him,” she added.