Mourners gather at St Mary's church ahead of Queen's funeral

The Prittlewell Church was packed with dignitaries, politicians, and mourners for a special commemorative service for Queen Elizabeth II.

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Southend West MP Anna Frith spoke at the service, which was also attended by Rochford and Southend East MP James Duddridge and Southend mauor councillor Kevin Robinson.

St Mary's Church - Image: Gaz de Vere (Image: Image: Gaz de Vere)

Taking to Twitter after the service, Anna Firth said. “On the eve of the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II, it was my privilege to attend a special commemoration service at St Mary’s Church, Prittlewell.”

Commemorative service - Image: Gaz de Vere (Image: Image: Gaz de Vere)

Today, the Queen is to be reunited with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh as she is laid to rest in a historic state funeral.

Adam Tregoning begins the service - Image: Gaz de Vere (Image: Image: Gaz de Vere)

Crowds of mourners have flocked to London, Windsor and royal sites throughout the UK on the national bank holiday, with the service set to draw millions of TV viewers across the globe.

Mayor Kevin Robinson - Image: Gaz de Vere (Image: Image: Gaz de Vere)

The royal family, including Prince George and Princess Charlotte, will be among the 2,000 people gathered at Westminster Abbey to remember the late monarch on Monday morning, before a committal service at Windsor Castle.

Anna Firth - Image: Gaz de Vere (Image: Image: Gaz de Vere)

The day marks the climax of what is being regarded as the biggest security operation the UK has ever seen, surpassing the operation for the Platinum Jubilee weekend and the London 2012 Olympics, which saw up to 10,000 police officers on duty per day.

Mourners - Image: Gaz de Vere (Image: Image: Gaz de Vere)

The funeral will be broadcast live at around 125 cinemas and several cathedrals in the UK, and on a big screen in Holyrood Park in front of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.

The service - Image: Gaz de Vere (Image: Image: Gaz de Vere)

Later in the evening, there will be a private interment service with senior members of the royal family.

Mourners - Image: Gaz de Vere (Image: Image: Gaz de Vere)

The Queen’s final resting place will be the King George VI memorial chapel, an annex to the main chapel where her mother and father were buried, along with the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret.

Philip’s coffin will move from the royal vault to the memorial chapel to join the Queen’s.