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THE BBC has unveiled a sombre new theme for news broadcasts before the Queen's funeral.

The familiar music that precedes bulletins - a mixture of rhythmic beeps and drum beats - has been overhauled.

The new BBC News 'countdown' shows the Queen's coffin
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The new BBC News 'countdown' shows the Queen's coffin
King Charles is shown looking sombre in the overhauled package
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King Charles is shown looking sombre in the overhauled package

New sequences show flowers being laid in the Queen's memory and King Charles greeting crowds.

The Queen's coffin is also seen being taken into the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Charles III being seen looking on sadly.

One viewer tweeted: "I get goose bumps and tears start streaming as I watch these. So moving."

Another wrote: "Perfect in everyway, wonderful reflective lasting memory of a sad time."

A third posted simply: "Very fitting for the occasion. Well done."

The packages normally show the Corporation's correspondents around the world getting ready to broadcast.

It is also accompanied when they air on the BBC News Channel by a clock which counts down to the start of the next bulletin.

However, that has all been scrapped for the special new video packages.

The move was unveiled online by BBC News' creative director Chris Cook, who wrote: "New Countdown from today."

One clip shows well-wishers in Union Flag outfits holding mobile phones
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One clip shows well-wishers in Union Flag outfits holding mobile phones
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