Francis and Kaiora Tipene can be seen among mourners paying their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Image / Tipene Funerals via BBC
Francis and Kaiora Tipene can be seen among mourners paying their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Image / Tipene Funerals via BBC
Funeral directors and television stars Francis and Kaiora Tipene have joined the thousands of mourners to see and pay their respects to the late Queen.
The couple, known as the stars behind series The Casketeers, shared that they queued for 11 hours to see the late monarch lying in stateat Westminster Hall.
In a post shared to Facebook, they said: "Last night, we waited in the lying in state line. It was a wait of 11 hours and the experience was very special. A moment we will cherish forever."
Francis and Kaiora Tipene can be seen among mourners paying their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Image / Tipene Funerals via BBC
The pair also shared photos of their journey throughout the night - and, in doing so, giving an insight into what people in the line will be seeing while waiting for their turn to see the late Queen.
The Tipenes dressed in black and were draped in korowai.
In keeping with Māori custom during a time of mourning or tangi, they also wore greenery wreaths on their heads.
The Casketeers stars Kaiora and Francis Tipene, pictured with two other staff members, joined mourners to pay their respects to the late Queen overnight. Photo / Tipene Funerals
After seeing the Queen lying in state, they attended the pōwhiri for the delegation attending the state funeral.
The couple rubbed shoulders and took selfies with the VIPs invited to attend, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Kīngi Tūheitia, Tā Tipene O'Regan and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Francis Tipene with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in London ahead of the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II. Photo / Tipene Funerals
"Some pretty special people to be amongst today as we are all here to acknowledge and commemorate the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," the Tipenes wrote on Facebook.
"Governor General Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro mentioned in her mihi she was happy to see The Casketeers."
Kaiora Tipene with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in London ahead of the Queen Elizabeth II funeral. Photo / Tipene Funerals
He shared a letter he wrote to the King on Facebook, writing that he wanted to represent "Māori people and my country".
He wrote that he would be arriving in London on Friday and would wait for necessary instructions in preparation for the funeral procession.
Acknowledging messages from members of the public in the last week, the couple wrote on their Facebook page overnight: "Thank you for those who sent words of encouragement and support. The Tipenes made it. I tuku aroha. Moe mai e rā e Te Kuini."
The couple and their friend were captured on the public video livestream walking in to see the Queen's coffin.
