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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Kyle O'Sullivan

Unexpected celebrities who were at Queen's funeral after Corrie star shocks fans

It wasn't just royalty and politicians who attended the Queen's funeral on Monday - as there were a number of famous faces paying their respects. Around 2,000 made their way into Westminster Abbey, including King Charles III and other members of the royal family, as well as world leaders and dignitaries from around the world.

We all know that former England rugby player Mike Tindall was at the funeral, because he is married to the Queen's grandaughter, Zara Phillips. But there were more celebrities sat in the aisles, including a Coronation Street star and a Killing Eve actress. Here is a look at some of the unexpected celebs who attended Her Majesty's funeral.

Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls waved to cameras outside Westminster Abbey (Getty Images)

Adventurer Bear Grylls was among the first guests to take their seats in Westminster Abbey.

The survival expert attended as a representative for the Scouts and had met the Queen on numerous occassions - most notably when he was awarded an OBE in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to young people, the media and charity

The Queen was Patron of the Scouting Association - and Bear said she was especially proud" when girls were first able to join the organisation in the 1970s.

"Scouting is a global force for good," she once said. "In this country and around the world, Scouts are helping others and making the most of their lives."

In a statement, Bear said: "It will take time for our movement and our nation to recover from this loss. But we owe it to her to pick ourselves up and carry her legacy forward. She will live long in the memory and will be remembered by the countless individual stories of kindness our Scouts and volunteers will share for years to come."

Bear Grylls was awarded his OBE by the Queen in 2019 (PA)
Queen Elizabeth attends the review of the National Parade of Queen's Scouts in 2012 (Reuters)

Sadly, Bear was targeted by cruel trolls after he was seen smiling and waving outside Westminster Abbey.

He apologised to those who felt he was too jovial and explained he was actually waving to a camerama he knows from his show Running Wild.

Bear wrote on Instagram : "Lovely to be with my sister Lara before the service... and special to see our cameraman on Running Wild @Mungothecameraman selected to film the entrance to the service.

"It was him that I was acknowledging when I waved. I'm so sorry if it looked cheery when it is such a solemn day. I didn't mean that."

While sharing some snaps on Twitter, he added: "It's a day we will never forget… a truly beautiful testament to our Nation’s Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Rest in Peace. Your duty done. Long Live King Charles…"

Sandra Oh

Killing Eve fans were stunned to see Sandra Oh at the funeral.

The actress was made a member of the Order of Canada in June his year, so attended as part of the Canadian delegation, which was led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie.

Sandra, who starred in medical drama Grey's Anatomy for just under a decade, wore a long black dress and hat on the historic day.

Fellow Canadians, musician Gregory Charles and Olympian Mark Tewkbury joined Sandra as the delegation took part in the procession of national honours.

Sharing some snaps on Instagram, she wrote: "Proud to represent Canada w/ my fellow Order of Canada & Valour recipients @gregorycharlesofficiel @marktewks @palmerlp26 at Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II funeral at Westminster Abbey today."

The Killing Eve actress shared some snaps on Instagram (INSTAGRAM)

Surprised fans took to Twitter after spotting the actress, with some asking where fellow Killing Ever star Jodie Comer was.

"Sandra Oh attending the Queen's funeral was not the crossover I was expecting today," one fan wrote on Twitter.

"I demand the BBC put the cameras on Sandra Oh," another added.

One wrote: "Sandra Oh being at the Queen's funeral remains one of the most random things to ever happen."

Antony Cotton

Antony Cotton had a snap before going inside (Antony Cotton/Instagram)

Coronation Street favourite Antony Cotton was perhaps the most surprising name on the guest list.

The popular actor, who has played barman Sean Tully on the cobbles since 2003, shared snaps from outside Westminster Abbey on Instagram.

He was awarded an MBE earlier this year from the Queen for his services to the British Army, personnel and veterans.

Antony had pictures with palace guards at 9am before he headed inside and posted a picture of the Order of Service.

The soap star wrote: "Well…where to begin?! I had the greatest honour of being invited to Her Majesty's funeral.

"So proud to see so many pals working on it, and making their Queen and country proud. It was a day I will never forget.

"'May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest…'"

Sophie Winkleman aka Big Suze

Sophie Winkleman, Princess Michael of Kent and Lord Frederick Windsor during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (WireImage)

Peep Show fans were shocked to see Big Suze, aka actress Sophie Winkleman, make her way into Westminster Abbey

Her character, Big Suze, was Jeremy's posh ex-girlfriend who Mark briefly fell in love with and started dating Alan Johnson.

Sophie, who recently appeared in This Is Going To Hurt, has a strong royal connection because she is married to Lord Frederick Windsor.

She wed Lord Freddie, a financial analyst, at Hampton Court Palace in 2009 and they have two children - eight-year-old Maud and six-year-old Isabella.

Lord Frederick is the son of Prince Michael of Kent, who is the Queen's cousin as his father, Prince George, was the younger brother of Edward VIII and George VI.

Sophie was seen sitting beside senior members of the Royal Family earlier this week during a vigil at the Queen's coffin.

The actress has previously said she was welcomed into the clan with open arms, particularly by the Queen and King Charles.

She played Big Suze in Peep Show (Channel 4)

Speaking to The Times, she said: "I've been incredibly welcomed with open arms by all of them... They'd never tell me off at all if I wanted to play some [racy] role."

Following their wedding, the couple moved to the US so that Sophie could further pursue her acting career and Maud was born while they were living in California

The couple later moved back to the UK and welcomed their second daughter, Isabella, back in 2016.

She was a guest at the 2011 wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as at the 2019 wedding of her sister-in-law Lady Gabriella Windsor.

George and Maud both started at Thomas's school in Battersea on the same day in September 2017.

Her children are very close in age to the Prince and Princess of Wales' kids - and Sophie has spoken in detail about her daughter Maud's close bond with Prince George.

In an interview with Hello , she said: "We were invited to tea at Kensington Palace just before Princess Charlotte was born.

"Maud and George got on very well… He is a very clever, articulate little boy and was speaking long before other toddlers his age."

You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here

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