Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has revealed he went to Buckingham Palace on Friday to pay his respects after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Conte has explained how he felt sadness at the Queen’s death, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 96, and he wanted to pay his respects.
The Italian says he also understood the historical nature of the Queen’s passing and the fact he was in London at the time. Conte duly went to Buckingham Palace on Friday, wearing a hat to disguise himself and, accompanied by his brother Daniele, he laid flowers there.
“For sure what happened in the last few days in England is something extraordinary. Unfortunately, the Queen died,” said Conte.
“Honestly, on Thursday, we were all sad because we are talking about a person that her service for this country was outstanding. I think that in this moment there is big sadness in the country for this and [I was] living this atmosphere in London.
“And on Friday I went to Buckingham Palace like a normal person, because I am normal person! I did it with a hat [on], to live this situation because I think for sure we will remember this for the rest of our lives.
“I want to give condolences from me, from the club, from the players to the Royal family. Then football has to go ahead and we will do it, but I think the Premier League made an important decision to stop football and show respect for the death of the Queen.
“We are talking about a situation that we will find it in the story of the future. To stay here in this moment and to live this moment here is for sure a sad moment, but at the same time it is a special moment because we are talking about the death of the Queen.
“She was 96 years old and honestly for me it was very difficult to believe she was dead, because in your mind you think that the Queen was immortal. To live this situation in London, in this specific moment, for sure I will keep this in my heart, in my mind for the rest of my life.”
