Queen: My mother's wonderful life

Surveying more than 2,000 bouquets left in the Queen Mother's memory at Windsor Castle, the Queen said: "It's an amazing sight, isn't it? People are so kind."

It was the first time since her mother died on Saturday that the Queen had met members of the public. Speaking to a group of mourners, she said: "My mother lived to 101 which is a great age - she had a wonderful life."

Dressed in black, she spent several minutes with Prince

Philip looking at the flowers and messages of condolence from all over the world. "They're from everywhere, you know - America, Australia, New Zealand and Canada," the Queen told the prince, who wore a black tie.

Messages attached to the flowers included: "Thank you for being you"; "Always in our hearts, you will be sadly missed"; "With fondest memories of a very dear and gracious lady" and "In a world of much darkness, you were a shining star who brightened up our lives".

Some 200 people were present as the Queen's Daimler halted by the floral tributes outside St George's Chapel, where the Queen Mother's body is to be interred.

Later, the Queen and Prince Philip went inside the chapel, where preparations for Tuesday's private committal service and interment are under way, to look at a book of condolence which some 7,000 people have signed since Monday.

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