The Queen has continued to lie in state since Wednesday September 14 until 6.30am on Monday, September 19, the day of the state funeral. Her coffin has been sitting on a catafalque and is draped with a flag called the Royal Standard – the Queen’s crown, orb and sceptre also sit on the coffin.
It has been guarded at all hours by units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London. Many thousands of people have filed past the coffin to pay their respects.
As they draw level with the coffin, many have stopped for a moment, bowing their heads, bringing their hands together in what seems to be a quiet prayer of thanks, saluting or crossing themselves. Many are visibly moved by the brief experience they have waited hours for, wiping away tears or putting an arm around friends or family members as they move on.
