David Beckham queues for 12 hours to see Queen Elizabeth II's coffin at Westminster Hall

David Beckham joined thousands of mourners over the weekend, queuing to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.

The former football player joined the queue in London to see the coffin of the late British monarch at around 2am on Friday morning (1pm Friday NZT) and although he faced a mammoth wait, he felt compelled to sacrifice his time to say a personal farewell to the Queen, who presented him with an OBE back in 2003.

Speaking to Sky News, 12 hours after he joined the queue, Beckham said: "This day was always going to be a difficult day. Our thoughts are with the family, it's very special to hear all of the stories from people here.

"The most special moment for me was to receive my OBE. I took my grandparents with me who were huge royalists. I was so lucky that I was able to have a few moments like that in my life to be around Her Majesty."

He added: "It's a sad day, but a day for us to remember the incredible legacy that she's left.

"Her Majesty gave our country 70 years, I'm spending a few hours in a queue."

It was later revealed the 47-year-old turned down the chance to jump the queue after he was offered an invitation from an MP, who is allowed to take up to four guests, to skip the queue.

Beckham - who wore a smart suit and tie and a flat cap - said he was happy to wait because he said his grandfather Joseph West – a staunch royalist who died in 2009 at the age of 83 - would have done the same.