Full details of the route that hundreds of thousands of members of the public are expected to queue along to see Queen Elizabeth lying in state have been published.
Mourners will be asked to form a line on the Albert Embankment in London, before being issued a wristband. Voluntary groups will be on hand to provide emotional support, including the Samaritans and the Salvation Army, who will provide a ‘listening ear’ service for members of the public.
Queues are expected to be extremely long, with official guidance recommending visitors come prepared to wait for 'many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down as the queue will be continuously moving'.
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Her Majesty's coffin will be lying in state at Westminster Hall from 5pm tomorrow, 14 September. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on Monday, 19 September.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have asked mourners to 'plan ahead and prepare appropriately' for the queues, with well-wishers already forming lines.
Guidance published encourages visitors to bring suitable clothing for the weather, food and drink to consume in the queue, a portable mobile phone charger, and any essential medication.
Water fountains and other welfare facilities will be available for mourners, with cafes and other local businesses are also expected to open for extended periods alongside welfare centres to provide refreshments for those in the queue.
Flowers and other tributes cannot be taken into Westminster Hall. Mourners are asked to leave these at Green Park in a dedicated area.
The queue starts on the Albert Embankment, and will then run along Belvedere Road behind the London Eye, and head onto the South Bank where it will follow the River Thames past the National Theatre, Tate Modern and HMS Belfast through to Southwark Park. Once visitors have passed through Albert Embankment they will be directed across Lambeth Bridge, into Victoria Tower Gardens and through airport-style security before entering the Palace of Westminster where The Queen will be lying in state. There are strict bag restrictions in place, with visitors allowed only one small bag. Large bags are not allowed and will need to be left in the bag drop facility.
Inside Westminster Hall, people will be able to walk past the coffin which will be draped in the Royal Standard, with the Orb and Sceptre placed on top. It will be guarded around the clock by a vigil of units from the Sovereign's Bodyguard, the Household Division or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London. All mourners must remain silent while inside the hall.
Guidance issued by the DCMS says visitors should not bring pets or other animals (except assistance animals), bring gzaebos or tents, or queue on behalf of others. Guests are told they should 'dress appropriately' and not wear clothing with 'offensive or political slogans'.
There is an accessible queueing scheme available for those with a disability or long-term condition which means they are unable to queue for an extended period of time. Step-free and accessible options are available for those who need them.
Guidance states that 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.
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