London taxi drivers line up on the Mall in ‘touching’ tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Black cabs lined up silently on the Mall on Thursday night as drivers paid respect to the Queen.

The roads around Buckingham Palace have now been closed by authorities as thousands of mourners descend to the royal residence following the monarch’s death.

ITV News reporter Paul Bland posted the image of the scene on Twitter, calling the scene “incredibly moving,” and commentors were quick to express their agreement.

“What they are doing is a lovely thought,” one said. “Many thanks for showing your respect in this way.”

“Good old cabbies,” said another. “They always get it so right. God bless them.”

“They are the heart and soul of any city,” a third agreed, while another added: “Brilliant, shows why the black cabbie is the best in the world.”

Cab drivers performed a similar ovation when Prince Philip died in 2021.

Michael Ackerman, a cab driver for 26 years, and friend Robert Caulder, who has driven a cab for 10 years, spoke to PA from the back of Mr Ackerman's taxi.

Mr Ackerman said that cab drivers had come to the Palace to "show our respect" for the monarch.

"We now know the Queen's passed, the only woman we've ever known, our constant in both our lives and we're showing our respect.

"There would have been a lot more cab drivers here but they've closed the road, so no more can get here."

Mr Ackerman said: "We're both from London. Liz is a London girl ... she's one of your own, she's one of ours."

Mr Caulder was one of the first cab drivers to arrive at the Mall, at around 6.50pm.

He heard the news on the radio as he was driving his taxi on Tottenham Court Road and said he "made a beeline" to Buckingham Palace.