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Simon Duke

BBC's Kirsty Young close to tears as she signs off Queen's funeral broadcast with beautiful tribute

Kirsty Young had tears in her eyes as she ended the BBC's live coverage of the Queen's funeral, with a tribute in which she said Her Majesty would "never be forgotten."

Presenter Kirsty had taken over from her BBC colleague Huw Edwards early in the afternoon, after Huw had anchored the build up to the Queen's funeral and the service itself from Westminster Abbey, being joined by other hosts like JJ Chalmers and guests such as Andrew Lloyd Webber and Kelly Homes in a purpose built studio in central London.

Kirsty took over as the Queen's coffin made its way to Windsor, where a special service was held in the much loved monarch's memory at St George's Chapel, the same place where the Queen cut a solitary figure just over a year ago as she grieved the loss of her beloved husband Prince Philip.

Cameras followed the procession up to Windsor Castle and the service itself which was attended by the Royal Family, including young Prince George and Princess Charlotte and proved to be just as moving as the earlier state funeral.

READ MORE : Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie spark Queen's funeral confusion over 'early' exit

Princess Diana's brother Earl Spencer was also in attendance at St George's as the service attended with a rendition of the National Anthem, before King Charles III and Queen Consort, Camilla, were seen getting into the Royal car, ready to head off to a private service, away from TV cameras, later on on Monday evening.

It fell on the shoulders of former Desert Island Discs host Kirsty to wrap up the BBC's nine hour live broadcast of the funeral proceedings and she became visibly moved as she reflected on the day's events.

As tears started to form in her own eyes, she spoke of how many people would have been watching the day's events with great affection for the Queen and everything she did, but also with tears in their eyes as the mourned her loss.

Kirsty said the outpouring of support for the Queen, the scale of the events in her honour and the way they were carried out "exemplified her reign," continuing: "She united us in one final acts of togetherness."

Kirsty spoke of the Queen's pledge to serve her country and added: "Never was a person truer to their word. Today we have come together, many of us with tears in our eyes, but all of us with an abiding warmth in our hearts for all that she gave."

She also made mention of 'a certain bear' in reference to the Queen's Jubilee sketch with Paddington, before signing of with a tribute to the Queen "who would never be forgotten," saying: "She made history, she was history. Queen Elizabeth II is gone but she will never be forgotten."

And, as Kirsty became emotional in the studio,. her words really struck a chord with people watching the BBC at home. Reacting to Kirsty's closing monologue, one tweeted: "Kirsty...that was both professional and deeply moving. Thank you for giving the days coverage a beautiful and perfect ending," with a second posting; "This was absolutely beautiful, poised, fitting and delivered with grace. It made me cry. Exceptional

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