Britons remember Queen Mother

LONDON, England -- Scores of people gathered outside Windsor Castle to pay their respects as news of the Queen Mother's death began to spread.

The atmosphere was sombre as people of all ages, and from all parts of the country, gathered outside the castle gates.

People had broken off from their shopping or visits to family to mark their respects -- many taking flowers to the gates of Windsor.

The Royal Standard flew at full mast from a castle turret as royal tradition dictates -- it is only lowered when a reigning monarch dies.

Some churches lowered their union flags and rang their bells in mourning.

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Police guarding the gates said that the Queen Mother's personal flag at the Royal Lodge had been lowered to half mast.

Bouquets of flowers began being laid at the gates.

Antiques dealer Barry Tufnell, 35, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, near London, was the first to lay flowers -- a bunch of roses.

He said: "I work locally and I just heard it on the news and just felt obliged to buy some flowers and bring them over. She is someone who has been like a grandmother.

"I think the Queen is going to find it very hard with her sister and her mother going in a short period of time. Our sympathies are obviously with them all."

Margaret Thomas, 52, a civil servant, drove from Slough, Berkshire, in southern England, where she was visiting her 26-year-old daughter in hospital when she heard the news.

She said: "I'm very upset. I just admired how she kept the country going, her strength of character after the King died.

"It's all the more upsetting that it's the Jubilee year. It's the end of an era."

Queen Elizabeth II is marking 50 years since coming to the throne.

Lynne Willis, 36, was sobbing outside the gates of Windsor having travelled from

her home in Slough with her two children to pay her respects.

Her daughter Amy, 12, also wept, as she laid a pink rose at the gates. Her brother James, 11, left a yellow one.

Willis said: "It's terrible, it's a sadness to everybody." Amy added: "She was a lovely person."

Sylvia Stewart, 59, and her sister Pauline Randall, 56, each brought a branch of almond blossoms.

Stewart, a council worker from Ashford, Surrey, said: "She was a very gentle lady. I think she was the nicest person in the Royal Family. I chose the blossom because I think it represents her."

Randall, of Wraysbury, Berkshire, said: "I am sure the Queen is feeling very sad."

Sheila Livingstone, a human resources manager, from Slough, southern England, handed a bunch of chrysanthemums to police.

The 31-year-old said: "She's always been around. She was a wonderful lady who did an awful lot for the country and it's a very sad day.

"I got back from shopping, turned the TV on and heard the news. It's not that it's not expected for her age but it's very sad."

Tourists became embroiled in the emotion.

Edith Butler, 40, and her husband, Dean Butler, 43, a doctor, from the United States are holidaying in England with their three young children. They said they were devastated by the news.

Mrs Butler, from North Carolina, said: "We're just so sad. What a terrible tragedy. She was so beloved. The whole country is going to be devastated.

"She was one of my favourite royals.