'Disrespectful' mourners who filmed procession called out for using camera phones

It was a solemn march through central London which thousands of royal mourners waited hours to witness.

And while many watching along the Queen's coffin procession route near Buckingham Palace stood in silent reflection, it was noticeable that a significant number chose to capture the moment on their phones.

Some reacted on social media, calling the hundreds using smartphones 'disrespectful' and asking them to 'live in the moment'.

Pulled on a gun carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the coffin was draped with a Royal Standard and adorned with the priceless, glittering Imperial State Crown.

In bright summer sunshine, funeral marches played by military bands added to the sombre mood that left some mourners weeping, while others held up their camera phones.

Onlookers were quick to criticise those who held up their mobiles, saying it was "disrespectful" to take pictures for social media.

Ryan Moffat said: "Strange behaviour lining the streets waiting on a coffin driving past with (sic) your phone in the air filming it so you can fire it on social media."

Read more: Harry and William stand shoulder-to-shoulder as they pay respects to Queen

And another added: "Is there anything more disrespectful than videoing the Queen's coffin on your phone as it passes by?"

Others said that the occasion should have been marked with respect to the deceased.

"I hate that so many public can not even watch her coffin go by without waving their phone in the air. These people are not respectful. They are the opposite. Different taking pic of new King, but not of coffin. They are a disgrace," one tweeted.

Another added: "So sad to see that virtually everyone watching HM the Queen's coffin being taken to Buckingham Palace was waving a mobile 'phone. Whatever happened to respect?"

People queued for hours to gain access to the streets which the coffin was taken down, and the viewing areas were declared full more than two hours before it actually began.

Read more: Queen's lying-in-state: Mourners ordered not to stop at coffin after queuing for hours

But those who were lucky to gain a spot were criticised for not watching the moment in person, instead looking through their screens.

"Imagine standing for hours in a crowd of thousands waiting to watch a coffin go by, and then watching it THROUGH THE SCREEN OF YOUR PHONE," one furious commenter said.

The journey from the palace to the ancient Westminster Hall, where King Charles I was tried, took 38 minutes – passing landmarks the Queen knew well like Horse Guards Parade, the Cenotaph and Downing Street.

Accompanied by her family, the Queen was effectively being handed over to the the nation for her lying in state over four days ahead of the state funeral on Monday.

Read more: When was the last state funeral in the UK and who was it for?

The King looked expressionless as he stared straight ahead with his siblings to his left, who also showed no emotion.

The royals moved in time to the imposing funeral marches, in step with one another and the troops.

William stared straight ahead as he processed directly behind his father the King, in keeping with his place as the new heir to the throne.