How people in Wycombe reacted after the death of the Queen

The shared mood of those we spoke to on the town centre streets was shock and surprise, while some were able to find comfort in Christian faith during the difficult time.

Rod Crossley, a retired engineer from Canada and originally UK, who was visiting his sister, said: “I feel very sad. I was born in the UK, and I remember watching the coronation on TV when I was 14-years of age, on one of those little box black and white TVs.

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“We grew up with the Queen, until moving to Canada.

“I remember very well in 1976, when she went to Montreal for the Olympics. Princess Anne was competing at the horse trial, and we went to see it.

“We’re Anglicans, and the Queen went to the service there, and I saw her from only a few metres away.

Retired engineer Rod Crossley got very close to the Queen once (Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

Gloria Thavanee from High Wycombe drew consolation from religion during the time of death.

She said: “I’m happy, because she will get eternal life, and because of that we don’t get to miss her.

“We’re not sad, we’re happy because her spirit will live eternally, and we only miss the physical being of the Queen.”

She wasn’t yet fully convinced of King Charles on the throne, and would have preferred Duke of Cambridge Prince William to accede to the throne instead.

A woman running errands in the Eden Shopping Centre, who declined to give her name, stopped for a quick chat saying she felt “very sad” as the Queen had always played a big role in her family.

She explained: “I lived in Malta as a child, and my father worked for the RAF there.

“Part of his job was to look after their security on their honeymoon when the Queen and Prince Phillip came to Malta.

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“I was 13, and I remember it clearly. I got about that close to her,” she said and pointed only four metres away.

My grandfather was a talented trumpeter with the Royal family, including at Balmoral, she described of the close connection.

In Eden Shopping Centre, Hardeep Lubekuua said: “I was shocked. I didn’t expect it to happen quite yet.”

“Although she was quite old, and her husband died not long ago.

“It’s going to be weird with the money and stamps changing, and using the word ‘King’.

“I hope the King will be as good as she was”

Pregnant Hardeep Lubekuua stopped for a picture following the historical change in British monarchy (Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

Mollie Robinson, volunteer Church Welcomer said: “I’ve been hugely impressed by the Queen’s dedication to the country and her Christian example, and sense of humour and wisdom. 

“My family lived in Windsor actually, so I always saw the castle.

“It’s been very touching to see people leave messages.”

All Saints Parish Church Minister Derek Lancaster encouraged everyone to stop by the church in the coming week (Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

Derek Lancaster, Licensed Lay Minister of All Saints Parish Church, said: “Her Majesty means so much to all of us. When her death came, it was a big shock nevertheless.

"We expected it, but it was still a shock.

“We mourn her passing here, but in a church we have faith in and hope of eternal life, which is the faith Her Majesty shared, so we’re blessed with that, and we invite others to come share that and come and find our condolence book or just light a candle, or just spend some time in the building in the coming week.”