People left speechless as they found out news of Queen Elizabeth’s death at metro store

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — People across metro Atlanta are reacting to the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.

Shock swept through a British store in Cobb County where supporters were having high tea when the news broke.

Many who were there told Channel 2′s Elizabeth Rawlins they were speechless.

“I thought maybe it could be days, not today,” Teena Harnick said.

Rawlins was at the Queen’s Pantry in Cobb County interviewing people about the Queen’s health when the news broke about her death.

“That was very fast. That was extremely fast,” Harnick said.

“I watched your reaction as we all reacted, and I think we all went speechless for a few minutes,” Queen’s Pantry owner Samantha Garmon told Rawlins.

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Within minutes, Garmon had changed into a black dress, lowered their British flag, and instead of closing up shop for the day, she started making tea for grieving customers.

Karen Smith, who works at the store, talked about one of the first phone calls the store took following the news of the queen’s passing.

“It was an American lady asking if we were going to be open today, and I said, ‘Yes, for tea, biscuits and sympathy,” Smith said.

“I think it’s important to be here. There’s a huge queen community here,” Garmon said.

The queen’s funeral will take place in 10 days following the traditional observance of a national period of mourning.

The service will likely take place at Westminster Abbey.

The queen will then be laid to rest in a private burial at St. George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

RELATED NEWS:

Queen Elizabeth II dead at 96 Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning British monarch. (NCD)

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