A knitted doll dressed in purple coat and hat – a perfect example of the Queen’s trademark style of bold matching colours – was the centrepiece of the Clarke family’s vigil before her state funeral.

Mum Lauren Clarke said: “We marked the state funeral at home in Alton with our young family.

“With my daughters Isabelle, ten, and Sophie, six, we made a visit to Windsor over the weekend to lay flowers and have been reading stories about the Queen and her wonderful life.

“We said prayers for the royal family as we lit a candle in her memory. We watched the funeral at home, a historical day for an amazing monarch. Isabelle and Sophie had a good understanding of the significance of the day. We hope to visit London soon to see Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.”