‘I’m going to take a moment’: Tracy Grimshaw fights back tears after paying respects to the Queen

Long-standing A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw was overcome with emotion following her visit to Westminster Hall in London where the expert journalist was able to pay her respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Leaving the hall where the Queen’s coffin is Lying-in-State and looking visibly moved, Grimshaw was at a loss for words as she took a moment to compose herself.

“Wow,” the 62-year-old stated. “Where to start.”

The veteran journalist held a finger up to the camera as she choked back tears, expressing that she needed a second as she turned away from the camera.

“Um, it’s very moving in there. I was going to come out and be all journalistic and give you all the history of the building and the history of the Queen’s association with the building but I’m not going to do that, I’m going to take a moment,” she said.

“I don’t know what I was expecting, we had half an hour in there.

“As [people] walk past they only have a moment. They dip their heads, some of the women curtsy.

“I’m watching people with walkers, on crutches, people in wheelchairs, people pushing their babies.

“Soldiers in khakis stopped and saluted her … it is a majestic building and it’s sombre.

“It’s actually not sad, these are no sad tears, they’re tears that recognise what people are feeling as they are going in there.

“It’s special.”

Tonight, the heart-warming moment Tracy Grimshaw was left in tears after leaving Westminster Hall.

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— A Current Affair (@ACurrentAffair9) September 16, 2022

Grimshaw noted that since her death on September 8, the Queen is still fulfilling her royal duties.

“I think she’d just really like to get back to her husband,” she said.

Grimshaw’s report on the Queen’s funeral processions will be some of the journalist’s final career moments with A Current Affair, as she announced that she would be stepping down from her role as host, following an impressive 17 years behind the desk.

After 17 years in the hosting chair, our very own @tracygrimshaw has announced she will be stepping down from presenting A Current Affair at the end of the year.

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— A Current Affair (@ACurrentAffair9) September 5, 2022

The beloved Australian reporter shocked fans with the announcement at the end of A Current Affair’s Monday, September 6 show.

“Normally right about now we’d be telling you what to expect tomorrow night but lately I’ve personally been thinking longer term, and I have some news that I wanted you to hear from me before you hear it from anyone else,” she told viewers.

“I’ve decided to finish up with A Current Affair this year.

“It’s been a big decision and before the gossip websites start telling you rubbish, I want you to know it’s been my decision alone and I’m not being shoved out the door by the boys club because I’m too old.

“I’m not too old, I’m just a bit tired. And for the record both the boys and the girls have asked me to stay.

“But I’ve basically been a shift worker for 26 years, driving to work before dawn for 9 years on the Today Show, and the past 17 years driving home after dark here on A Current Affair and it’s time for less of that daily obligation.

“It’s been my privilege to host this show.

“I was just a kid in 1971 when Mike Willesee started it and in our family it was required viewing each night as Michael either forensically dismantled some politician or maybe laughed along with Hoges.

“Back then, I was going to be a vet or a flight attendant so if you’d told me that one day I’d sit in this chair, let alone occupy it for 17 years, I’d have thought you were mad. Well lucky me.

“You’ve let me indulge my love of interviewing here. I’ve talked to people who’ve made us all laugh and cry, who’ve shared their triumphs and their challenges and their wisdom and despair.

“And because it’s your show not mine and you get to vote each night with your remote control, you told us you wanted more of that. So thank you for that opportunity.

“Thank you for your loyalty. I hope I’ve repaid it. I’m around until November then I’m going to take a long holiday, but it’s business as usual until then. See you tomorrow night.”