Old and young, they came from near and far to join the world’s longest queue.
Some 350,000 are expected by Monday morning – their one simple aim to say goodbye to the monarch they adored.
Mourners, including thousands jetting in from around the world, continued to join the slow pilgrimage tonight despite official warnings not to travel and waiting times of up to 24 hours.
Newcomers are expected to be turned away at some point this afternoon so everyone can get to Westminster Hall by 6.30am tomorrow when the Queen’s lying-in-state closes to the public.
The Department of Culture has not yet decided the exact cut-off point. A source added: “We are monitoring numbers closely. Some people will unfortunately miss out.”
The numbers solemnly passing through Westminster Hall are a secret but there are 20,000 in the queue at any one time.
The length of the line to Southwark Park can reach up to 10 miles including zig zags.
But that did not deter royal fans like Deborah Alter, 62, who flew from New York to pay her respects.
She said: “When I told my daughter I was flying here she said, ‘You’re crazy!’, but I told her ‘I’ve got to go!’
“The Queen brought people together. I just loved her. She was one heck of a lady.” Deborah admitted she wept when she finally reached the coffin shortly after 11am yesterday.
She added: “The grandeur of it all was overwhelming. It took my breath away. It was beautiful and so moving. I have not slept for 44 hours.”
Celebrity queuers included ex-England captain David Beckham, 47 – who paid his respects on Friday – and double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, 52.
Dame Kelly, who met the Queen on several occasions, said: “I have been watching the live TV and I was just overwhelmed.
“People are feeling this warmth, connecting with this moment – and, for me, yes it will be a sombre occasion, but it makes me happy I am here in this queue.”
Sam Mason, from West London, completed the queue twice in as many days. He first joined at 11.30pm on Thursday before finally seeing the Queen’s coffin 12 hours later.
He then went home, had his car serviced and then did it again.
He said: “The first time the legs hurt, the second time they didn’t.
“It is a part of history and I want to be a part of it.
“I’ve had two hours sleep in 48. I’m going home to bed!”
Mourners were keeping up their spirits by singing together and sharing cakes, supported by well-wishers, including volunteers from the Samaritans and the Red Cross.
Many gained new friends, including Martyn and Samantha Young, from Buckingham, who queued through the night with their children Rhys, 11, and Tyler, 10, waiting 14 hours.
Asked how they did it, Martyn, 39, joked: “With lots of coffee and sugar. And chatting with everyone.
“It was a long night, but the spirit was really good and there was no pushing or shoving.”
Samantha, 38, said: “It was a lovely atmosphere. The boys had about 20 minutes sleep on a bench at one point and sometimes looked as though they were falling asleep standing up. But I’m glad we did it.
“It felt massively emotional to see the coffin, but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of history.”
Angela Parker, 46, and her sister Joanne Brennon, 43, got a train from Liverpool before arriving at the back of the queue in Southwark Park at around 11am yesterday.
They were told to expect to reach Westminster Hall at around 3am.
Angela, from New Brighton in the Wirral, said: “Today is the only day we’ve been able to travel as I work in a care home. I saw the warnings but I knew I would regret it if I didn’t try. Sixteen hours is a decent amount of time to have a proper catch up.”
Some mourners are already camping near The Mall to secure a good spot for the funeral.
Nurse Sue Grave, 53, from Chester, who has done the same for previous royal events, said: “I am ex-forces. She was our commander-in-chief. I have just always been a royalist.
“People from every culture and country have been walking by here.
“She has done so much for not just our country, but the Commonwealth and the world.”
