Queen Elizabeth II's funeral will be attended by Bolton born Diane Hawkins

Diane Hawkins,from Bolton and is the chair of Fortalice in Bolton, will represent Greater Manchester on Monday at the service.

The former High Sheriff will attend as Lord Lieutenant at Westminster Abbey after seeing the Queen’s coffin Lying In State today.

She said: “The Queen’s death sparked Operation London Bridge, something we’ve always known about as Lord Lieutenant.

“I was very shocked because the Queen had been with us for my whole life. I thought she looked frail on Tuesday to bring in the PM.

“I was travelling at the time and was getting information from my office when they told me it was serious.”

Diane met the Queen last year when HRH visited Manchester in the summer.

READ: Looking back at Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee celebrations

She said:" I met her at Victoria Station and welcomed her to the county. It was a delight to meet her, she looked very happy and pleased to be in Manchester.

“She said she always liked coming. It had been three months since Prince Philip had died and she had not been able to travel due to the lockdown.

“At the time, the Queen didn’t have a walking stick or appear to have any health issues, just a round smile.”

On Thursday morning, Diane welcomed the Earl and Countess of Wessex to Manchester, Prince Edward and Lady Sophie Rhys-Jones.

The Prince and the Countess visited Manchester Central Library to sign the book of condolences ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday.

Diane Hawkins (Image: Diane Hawkins)

Diane said: “The Earl and Countess came to Manchester while King Charles III visits many other cities.

“They wanted to come here, and they looked at the tributes left by people and went to the Cathedral.

“They felt it right to come here so Manchester felt part of the mourning.”