POLITICANS who were inside Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s funeral have told of the “profound and moving” atmosphere inside the building on what was an historic day.

Baroness Angela Smitha and Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris were among the 2,000 mourners inside the abbey on Monday morning.

Baroness Smith, a former Basildon MP and the Labour leader in the House of Lords, said: “It was a very moving and dignified service, and it was the honour of a lifetime to be invited to be there,” she said.

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“To have been there on such a profound occasion is something I could not have prepared myself for, it was such an emotional day.”

She added: “I was in the extraordinary position of standing just along from the choir and the coffin passed right in front of me, which was very moving.

“I could clearly see the emotion etched on the faces to the Royal Family as the accompanied the coffin into the abbey.”

During the service, King Charles was visibly moved and looked close to tears as the national anthem was sung in the Abbey.

Prince George was also comforted by his mother, the Princess of Wales, during the service.

Conservative MP Rebecca Harris was invited to walk in front of the coffin as it entered the Abbey.

She was granted the honour as part of new new role as a senior government whip – which involves being a ceremonially appointed officer of the Royal Household.

Ms Harris was appointed ‘Comptroller of her Majesty’s Household’ by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson and was reappointed by the new Prime Minister Liz Truss a few days before Her Majesty’s death.

She is the first woman to hold the office in its 623-year history.

Speaking before the funeral, she said: “Although we as her subjects and millions across the Commonwealth and elsewhere will be united in grief, we also give thanks for her life, for her long service and that she passed away surrounded by her loving family and with the adoration of a grateful nation.”

Among the 2,000 people inside Westminster Abbey, were members of royal families from across Europe, politicians from all sides of the political spectrum and world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.