Passengers emotional as train driver on new Elizabeth Line announces death of the Queen
Ali Condon
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock/@zak.alami/TikTok
The touching moment that an Elizabeth Line driver paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II was captured on camera and has gone viral on TikTok.
The Queen died aged 96 at Balmoral on Thursday, 8 September, the Royal Family confirmed, leaving the nation in full mourning.
Announcing the news to commuters on Thursday evening, a driver of the new Elizabeth Line tube, who was a former Army veteran, paid a touching tribute to the monarch.
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The Elizabeth Line opened back in May of this year in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, just ahead of the Platinum Jubilee.
Speaking over the tube line intercom on Thursday, the driver stated: "I'm sure you will all join me in a moment of remembrance for an amazing lady and Queen.
"Also join with me in a personal note, for me to say, that it was an honour to serve my Queen for nine years in the British Army.
"It will be an honour working on the Elizabeth Line until the day I retire. Thank you."
Commuters and were touched by the tribute, as were TikTok users who spotted the video footage of the sweet moment.
"This is the most heartwarming thing I've seen since I found out she’d gone," commented one viewer.
"Protect that guy at all costs, very respectful and heartfelt," wrote a second.
"Respect. Wish we could thank him for his service too," added a third.
And a fourth complained: "I’m too pregnant to be crying this early at this."
The death of the Queen marks a monumental moment of history: having ascended to the throne in 1952 aged just 25, she was the longest reigning British monarch, as well as the longest-serving female head of state ever.
Earlier this year, she reached 70 years on the throne and became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.
During her reign, she worked alongside 15 Prime Ministers beginning with Winston Churchill and continuing through to new PM Liz Truss.
At 73, King Charles III will be the oldest monarch ever to take the British throne.
Charles' wife, Camilla, who has been a senior member of the royal family since marrying Prince Charles 17 years ago, will have the title of Queen Consort.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed a period of royal mourning will be observed for seven days after the Queen's funeral, which is expected to take place in the next 10 days.