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‘She was very important in my life’: Dame Kelly Holmes admits she felt ‘forced’ to pay her respects to the Queen – 11 hours waiting at Westminster Hall to visit her casket
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Dame Kelly Holmes has shared that she felt “forced” to pay her respects to Queen Elizabeth II, following her death at the age of 96 on September 8.
The Olympic legend, 52, waited 11 hours in line at Westminster Hall to see Her Majesty in state.
Talking about the monarch being “very important in my life,” the runner explained that she rearranged her entire weekend to join the expansive line—nothing she would have waited 24 hours for if she had to.
‘She was very important in my life’: Dame Kelly Holmes, 52, has admitted she felt ‘forced’ to pay her respects to the Queen – waiting 11 hours at Westminster Hall to visit her coffin
Kelly served in the Womens Royal Armored Corp when she was only 17 years old. She cited her military background as one of the reasons for her association with the Queen, who was Commander in Chief of the British Army and Chief of the Armed Forces.
Kelly appeared on BBC news to discuss the decision to wait at Westminister Hall and explained: ‘It was a remarkable day. I have met so many people; people of all ages. I felt compelled to stand in that line. I had to do it. I’ve changed all my plans for the weekend.
“I didn’t mind if I had to stay there for 24 hours. I felt it was my goodbye to her, because she was very important in my life.’
Kelly has paid tribute to the long-serving monarch for the past week and talks about her experience meeting the queen at Loose Women last week.
Honor: Kelly pictured with the Queen at a 2004 reception for Olympic and Paralympic athletes at Buckingham Palace
Panelist: Kelly has paid tribute to the long-serving monarch for the past week – candid about her experience meeting the Queen at Loose Women last week
She joined Ruth Langsford, Linda Robson, Brenda Edwards and Jane Moore on the talk show last week as she now becomes a full-time panelist.
Ruth explained that Kelly was “already in tears” and opened the show: “We will share some very special stories about her meeting and honoring her legacy, starting with playing that, one of her favorite songs, where Kelly already has tears from .’
While the athlete also spent time urging Britons to participate in Sunday’s minute of silence via social media – pleading ‘please don’t forget’.
The palace announced on September 8 that the Queen was ill, before later sharing the tragic news of her death in Balmoral, Scotland.
Devastated: Kelly, who was named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2005, also took to Instagram that day to share her upset
Kelly, who was named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2005, took to Instagram that day to share her upset, writing: ‘As you know, my ❤️ is ALWAYS so invested in everything our Queen for stands for!
“I am proud to have served under our Majesty the Queen for my country and in sport. I have been one of the lucky few to have met the Queen on numerous occasions at horse racing and Buckingham Palace and receiving my Dame Commander of the British Empire from Her Majesty will be something I will forever hold special in my heart…
‘I’m crying so sad now that she’s not well! Crying with/for everyone. Whatever the news… I’m here for anyone who cares about her being sick. Sad for our royal family, the military, charities and everyone who has met or loved her, because I know you will feel the same as I do.”
Kelly edited the caption after the announcement, then wrote: “UPDATED 6:45 PM / DESTROYED / A VERY SAD DAY / RIP YOUR MAJESTY.”
Army: Kelly served in the Womens Royal Armored Corp when she was only 17 years old – she cited her military background as one of the reasons for being connected to the Queen, who was Commander in Chief of the British Army and Chief of the Armed Forces