Officials have stopped six people trying to sneak their pooches into Westminster Hall to see the Queen lying-in-state. Animals and pets are not allowed into the vigil, but according to witnesses, the rules haven't stopped some mourners attempting to 'smuggle' their beloved dogs in under their coats.
"Parliamentary source says officials have stopped six people trying to smuggle their pet dogs into Westminster Hall under their coats for the Queen's lying in state," Jason Groves, political editor at the Daily Mail, wrote on Twitter. While guide dogs, hearing dogs and official assistance dogs are permitted inside the Palace, people's pets are not.
The government website advises: "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."
Guide dogs and emotional support dogs have been spotted bowing to the Queen's coffin on live television, with many royal fans online agreeing "Her Majesty would have approved".
Spectators have been taking to Twitter to share snaps of dogs inside Westminster Hall, with one woman even carrying a small pooch inside her cross body bag.
Other prohibited items include seating equipment - though a large number of people have bought camping chairs to rest - and bags larger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm in size and food and liquid.
Mourners are also being urged to "dress appropriately" as some wait up to 30 hours to pay their final respects to the late Queen.
The queue to see the Queen lying-in-state has been shut for at least six hours after the waiting time hit the maximum length.
Routes now stretch up to 4.9 miles long according to the government's live tracker, all the way to Southwark Park.
Earlier the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport warned if the park reached capacity, "entry to the queue will be paused".
It said in a post: "Southwark Park has reached capacity. Entry will be paused for at least 6 hours. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
"Please do not attempt to join the queue until it reopens. Check back for further updates."
The lying-in-state period will end at 6.30am on Monday, prior to the Queen's state funeral at 11am - but the line could be cut off completely as early as Saturday night.
Officials are expecting upwards of 750,000 people will go to see the coffin.
You can now buy Friday's historic Daily Mirror commemorating the death of the Queen here: mirror.co.uk/commemorative
