Kirsty Young praised for her closing speech covering Queen Elizabeth's funeral for BBC
Watch: Kirsty Young tearfully delivers final monologue at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral
Kirsty Young has won praise from viewers for her moving speech in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as she rounded off the BBC coverage of her funeral.
The late Queen was laid to rest in the family tomb at Windsor Castle on Monday 19 September, following a state ceremony at Westminster Abbey, a procession through central London and another ceremony at St George's Chapel, Winsor.
Scottish broadcaster Young, 53, fronted the BBC coverage of the funeral along with Huw Edwards, Fergal Keane, David Dimbleby - who at 83 came out of retirement for the historic occasion - and Sophie Raworth.
Bringing the coverage to a close, Young had tears in her eyes and was struggling to keep her breath steady as she said: “It’s often felt in recent days that a veil of sorrow has covered the nation, but the Queen’s funeral has surely exemplified her reign - she united us in one final act of togetherness, unifying the United Kingdom and the world beyond in respect, ceremony and significance.
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“And 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 went on “Just over three months ago the world, and a certain little bear, said ‘Thank you, for everything’ and The Queen looked as though she thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.
“We will, surely, be ever grateful to have had that final opportunity to celebrate with Her Majesty her remarkable and long reign. If, as she once said, ‘grief is the price we pay for love,’ then the weight of our collective sorrow is a testament to the depth of affection in which she is held.”
Viewers have hailed Young's speech as moving and inspirational.
One commented on social media: "A must watch of journalism at its finest. Kirsty Young from @bbc pays tribute in a very emotional speech to close the coverage on the #queen. Watch to the end. The end of an era. But just so lovely and kind. What the world needs now."
Another said: "Kirsty Young’s signing off speech reduced me to tears, I have never heard the queens reign described so movingly and eloquently. There may be no greater to tribute to Queen Elizabeth’s reign than how deeply we have all been affected by her passing."
While another tweeted: "Like so many, I cried at this. Beautiful, poignant and a wonderful summation of how we feel. This captures our happy memories of our late Sovereign and the powerful impact recent days have had on us. Thank you to Kirsty Young: a heartfelt speech that will endure."
And one Twitter user confessed: "Kirsty Young’s closing speech completely finished me off too. It was so well done. A credit to our queen!!"
Sports presenter Gaby Roslin tweeted: "Every one of these images will stay with me for a very long time. The pony, the corgis and those incredible young men carrying the coffin. The BBC today has been superb. Huw Edwards and Kirsty Young we’re outstanding."
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Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 on Thursday 8 September at her beloved Scottish residence Balmoral Castle.