A steady stream of mourners have visited St Edmundsbury Cathedral today to light a candle, write in the book of condolence, or simply sit in quiet, contemplative reflection and prayer.

The number of those entering the cathedral to pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen since it opened this morning slowly increased as the day wore on.

Bury Mercury: The number of those entering the Cathedral to pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen since it opened this morning is slowly increasing as the day wears on.The number of those entering the Cathedral to pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen since it opened this morning is slowly increasing as the day wears on. (Image: Archant)

Alan O'Connor, one of the cathedral's vergers, quietly watched the scene unfold and lit his own candle in remembrance of the monarch who has ruled since he was four years old.

"I was born in 1956, so I'm in my 60s now. She's been the only monarch I've ever known," he said.

Bury Mercury: Alan O'Connor, one of the Cathedral's vergers, lit his own candle in remembrance of the monarch who has ruled since he was four years old.Alan O'Connor, one of the Cathedral's vergers, lit his own candle in remembrance of the monarch who has ruled since he was four years old. (Image: Archant)

"She means and has meant a great deal to me over the years. Her steadfast faith, her dignity and the way she's conducted herself through tragedies has been tremendous."

He added: "She was also a role model for people of different faiths and of different cultures until the end."

Mourners leaned across the cathedral's book of condolences, adding their messages with painstaking care and thought.

Bury Mercury: Beverly McDowell and her partner Jayne Stokes travelled from Norfolk to pay their respects at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.Beverly McDowell and her partner Jayne Stokes travelled from Norfolk to pay their respects at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. (Image: Archant)

"Duty, decency, delightful. Thank you ma'am," wrote Jayne Stokes who has met both Queen Elizabeth and King Charles III on several occasions.

Jayne used to be the director of a charity for which the Queen was a patron and was invited to multiple Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace.

Bury Mercury: Flowers were laid outside St Edmundsbury Cathedral in tribute to 'Our beloved Queen'.Flowers were laid outside St Edmundsbury Cathedral in tribute to 'Our beloved Queen'. (Image: Archant)

She recalled the occasions on which they met fondly, saying: "She would work through the lines of people, but when she talks to you it's like nobody else exists.

"People change jobs throughout their life, but she stood fast for 70 years. It's not surprising that Prince William chose her as his role model."

Bury Mercury: The Cathedral opened a book of condolence for mourners to sign.The Cathedral opened a book of condolence for mourners to sign. (Image: Archant)

Jayne's partner, Beverly McDowell, also travelled from Norfolk to pay her respects at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.

As a Canadian-British dual citizen, Beverly wanted to thank Queen Elizabeth for her service to the Commonwealth, adding: "I'm here to thank her for her dedication to the country, the Commonwealth and the world."

Bury Mercury: St Edmundsbury Cathedral is calm, quiet and still, as mourners pay their respects to the woman who gave 70 years of service to their country.St Edmundsbury Cathedral is calm, quiet and still, as mourners pay their respects to the woman who gave 70 years of service to their country. (Image: Archant)

St Edmundsbury Cathedral was calm, quiet and still, as mourners pay their respects to the woman who gave 70 years of service to their country.