As millions mourn for Queen Elizabeth II at her state funeral today, one tiny hospital in Kent has reflected on the "hugely respected" monarch who was chairman of the board.

The Hospital of Sir John Hawkins in Chatham was set up in 1594 to provide shelter for 10 disabled sailors had served the crown's ship or worked in the town's dockyard.

Sir John Hawkins petitioned Queen Elizabeth I for the hospital after serving the English fleet in the Spanish Armada and becoming controller of the Navy.

The small charity, which is found in the high street, is one of hundreds of charities Her Majesty was patron of, but this one was a bit more unique.

While petitioning the monarch in the 1500s, as well as Lord Howard of Effingham, and offering his own house as accommodation, one of them was made Lord High Admiral who had ruling power over the hospital until 1964 when the post was abolished and assumed by the monarch.

This meant the Queen was chairman of governors from 1964 until 2011, when she awarded the role to Prince Philip for his 90th birthday, before taking it back after he died.

Speaking about the unique connection chairman Neil Wood said: "The practical effect of that was should the Queen ever come to Chatham for a board meeting she would've automatically assumed the chair.

"I'm elected annually merely keep the seat warm."

Queen Elizabeth II visited the site in 1994 to celebrate its 400th anniversary.

Mr Wood added: "It was a real event in the residents' lives and certainly two of our current residents - Pat Maynard and Al Smith - who were at the event have talked about that and how remarkable it that the monarch would come here, a very small hospital, which people never realise is here.

"It's not prominent but nevertheless to have the Queen there to celebrate the 400th anniversary was a real event.

"The Queen was so hugely respected that the regard she was held in undoubtedly rubbed off on organisations she was associated with like the hospital - that made us very proud no question.

"There's no practical values in the links, but recognition and association really meant to so much to us.

"We feel a great loss at the Queen's death but we feel the continuity of the monarchical system will carry us forward and we look forward to the association with the new King in due course."

The hospital is planning to let patients watch the funeral on the big screen with tea and refreshments and will be extending an invitation to King Charles in the next few months.