Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to queue for hours to visit the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as she lies in state at Westminster Hall in London this week. The public will be able to visit and pay their respects from the evening of Wednesday, September 14 to Monday, September 19, the day of the official state funeral.
The Queen made her final journey from Buckingham Palace as her family, including The King, Princess Anne, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward walked behind her coffin ahead of her lying in state at Westminster Hall. Silence fell among the thousands-strong crowd as a muffled drum draped in black was beaten at 75 paces per minute. The coffin was draped in the Royal Standard, with the Imperial State Crown on a velvet cushion with a wreath of flowers atop, and carried on a gun carriage of King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
During the Lying-in-State period, the coffin rests on a raised platform in the middle of Westminster Hall. Members of the public are free to file past the platform and pay their respects. The route for those queueing up to see the Queen’s coffin will start on the Albert Embankment and run down behind the London Eye onto the Southbank before reaching ‘maximum capacity’ at Southwark Park – nearly five miles away.
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The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are providing live updates of queue length on their social media pages as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend. People can visit Westminster Hall to pay their respects 24 hours a day.
UK Government guidance says the queue is expected to be very long, with people standing for "many hours, possibly overnight" and with very little opportunity to sit down. There are a series of procedures in place to manage the occasion - including vigorous checks and strict procedures to be followed.
The queue
The queue starts where Albert Embankment meets Lambeth Bridge in Central London, on the south side of the River Thames. From Albert Embankment, the queue continues along the south bank of the Thames.
Those joining will be issued a wristband to mark their place and avert the risk of queue-jumpers. The wristbands also allow people to leave the queue “for a short period to use a toilet or get refreshments” before returning to their place in the queue. Public toilets, drinking water and first aid stations will be available at designated locations along the queue route.
Official guidance warns: “Please note that the queue is expected to be very long. You will need to stand for many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down, as the queue will keep moving. Please consider this before you decide to attend or bring children with you. The queue may close early to ensure as many visitors as possible can enter the Palace before the Lying-in-State period comes to an end.” As of 7.53am on Thursday the queue was 2.6 miles long.
Separate access queue
People with a disability or long-term condition which means they are unable to queue for an extended period of time will be able to join a shorter queue. A separate accessible kiosk is to be set up at the Tate Britain on Millbank. Timed entry slots for Westminster Hall will be issued for people with access needs, who can then move immediately to join the accessible queue at Victoria Tower Gardens, next to Parliament. There will only be a limited amount of spots each day for this queue.
What you can and can't bring
Gazebos and tents are forbidden in the queue, as are barbecues and fires, while people may not leave their bags unattended. Security searches may also be carried out while people are in the queue – while stewards and police officers are expected to patrol, ejecting queue-jumpers and those deemed drunk.
It is not permitted to queue on behalf of other people or “reserve” a spot for someone else – the person queuing up will be the only one allowed entry.
Each person is allowed one small bag no bigger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, with one simple opening or zip so you can move quickly through the security check. A bag drop is available at the start of the queue for bigger luggage, although space is not guaranteed and people are warned this will increase queue time.
While mourners are encouraged to bring food and drinks as sustenance during the heavy queues, these will have to be gone in time to see the coffin. People are also advised to dress appropriately.
Here is a list of all items banned from being brought into Westminster Hall:
- Flasks or water bottles, except clear water bottles. Clear water bottles must be emptied of their contents before you enter the security search point at the Palace of Westminster.
- Food and liquid of any kind. Any food or liquids must be consumed in the queue or disposed of before you enter the security search point at the Palace of Westminster.
- Flowers or other tribute items (including candles, soft toys and photographs). These items cannot be taken into or left in the Palace of Westminster. Floral tributes only should be taken to the dedicated floral tribute area in Green Park.
- Sharp items, including knives, Swiss Army knives, scissors, cutlery and screwdrivers.
- Personal defence equipment or any object that could be used as a weapon and/or compromise public safety, including personal defence sprays.
- Paint sprays, padlocks, chains, climbing gear, and dangerous or hazardous items.
- Fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, whistles, laser devices, and other items that could be used to cause a disturbance or noise.
- Banners, placards, flags, advertising or marketing messages, and other similar items that could be used to cause a disturbance.
- Coolers, hampers, sleeping bags, blankets, and camping equipment.
- Chairs, folding chairs and other seating equipment, including shooting sticks.
- Any other items as directed by security staff or police.
- Please do not bring pets or other animals as you will not be allowed to enter with them. Animals are not permitted in the Palace of Westminster, except guide dogs, hearing dogs and other official assistance dogs.
When can I visit?
Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State at the Palace of Westminster opened to the public at 5pm on Wednesday, September 14. It will be open 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on Monday, September 19. The queue may close early to ensure as many visitors in the queue as possible can enter the Palace before the Lying-in-State period comes to an end.
The BBC’s red button service will provide a live feed from Westminster Hall and ITV and Sky will be running extensive coverage. An online book of condolence is also available for people to add personal messages.
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