A DENBIGHSHIRE man who met the Queen on more than 150 occasions has described the monarch's funeral as "incredible".

Colin Edwards, from Ruthin, was unable to travel to London on Monday for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, however, he watched coverage of the poignant event on television.

"I was emotional watching it," he said. "All day long, from early morning, it was incredible. The pomp and the pageantry. No other country in the world could put on a show like that."

READ MORE: Ruthin man recalls the many times he met the Queen

Mr Edwards, who worked for Denbighshire County Council prior to his retirement, has travelled the length and breadth of Britain meeting members of the Royal Family.

The Queen passed away earlier this month at the age of 96 after seven decades on the throne.

Mr Edwards, who is 81, added: "I didn't go. I just felt it was going to be too much for me. I did go to the lying in state and the funeral for the Queen Mother 20 years ago. I was a lot younger then."

Mr Edwards first met the Queen back in 1982.

Locally, he met the Queen in Conwy, Llangollen, Mold, Wrexham, Welshpool, Aberystwyth and Chester.

"The service was beautiful," he added. "It wasn't too sad."

 

Denbighshire Free Press: Colin Edwards' exhibition of photographs to mark the Queen's platinum jubileeColin Edwards' exhibition of photographs to mark the Queen's platinum jubilee (Image: Picture: Karen Maurice)

 

Mr Edwards was particularly taken by the Archbishop of Canterbury saying "we'll meet again" during the funeral, the phrase uttered by the Queen during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I don't think she will be forgotten. She was such an inspiration for everyone in the country for 70 years.

"From my many meetings with her, it's going to take me a lot of time to come to terms with it.

"We have a new king now and I will support him, definitely."

To mark the Queen's platinum jubilee earlier this year, Mr Edwards staged an exhibition of photographs he had taken of her over the years at Ruthin's St Peter's Church.

The coronation of King Charles III is likely to take place next summer and Mr Edwards said: "I might consider going down to London for that.

"I am old enough to remember the coronation when I was 12.

"Yesterday was even more spectacular."