The King has issued a message of thanks to the nation on the eve of the Queen’s state funeral – as the queue to see her coffin lying in state closed to new entrants.
Charles said he wanted, "as we all prepare to say our last farewell", to offer his gratitude to "all those countless people who have been such a support and comfort to my family and myself in this time of grief".
He said he and the Queen Consort were "deeply touched" by the many messages they had received from around the world, and "moved beyond measure" by those who turned out to pay their respects throughout the UK to "my dear mother".
King Charles will lead the nation in mourning for its longest-reigning monarch on Monday as Westminster Abbey stages a spectacular state funeral for Elizabeth II.
Two-thousand people including foreign royals, world leaders, presidents and prime ministers will flock to the gothic church for a day of pageantry, military processions and solemnity in honour of the late Queen.
The King said, in the written message issued by Buckingham Palace: "Over the last ten days, my wife and I have been so deeply touched by the many messages of condolence and support we have received from this country and across the world.
"In London, Edinburgh, Hillsborough and Cardiff we were moved beyond measure by everyone who took the trouble to come and pay their respects to the lifelong service of my dear mother, the late Queen.
"As we all prepare to say our last farewell, I wanted simply to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those countless people who have been such a support and comfort to my family and myself in this time of grief."
Thank you for following our live coverage on the eve of Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral.
Today was the last chance to see the late monarch lying in state, with Westminster Hall closing to the public at 6.30am on Monday morning.
Many remain in the queue this evening, hoping to get their chance to say a final farewell to Her Majesty.
Meanwhile at Buckingham Palace, hundreds of dignitaries attended a reception hosted by the King, while the nation observed a minute’s silence at 8pm.
Please join us again tomorrow when we will have live coverage of the late Queen’s funeral, accompanied by expert commentary.
Mourners continued to join the queue to pay tribute to the Queen at 9pm.
The estimated wait time was at least seven hours, down from 14 hours earlier on Sunday, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
People were collecting wristbands for entry at London Bridge.
In Chester, the silence was marked with a vigil in Town Hall Square, where more than 100 members of the public gathered.
The minute of silence was followed by a round of applause.
In a short ceremony afterwards, the poem written by Simon Armitage for the Queen, A Promise Made And Kept For Life, was read and prayers were said.
The national anthem was sung before a blessing by the Bishop of Chester, the Right Rev Mark Tanner.
People were then invited to light candles as a sign of "hope and prayer" for the nation.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has reflected on the sense of loss the nation feels at it waits for the "final goodbye" to the Queen, in a special radio broadcast.
On BBC Radio 4 on Sunday evening, the Most Rev Justin Welby said prayers for those who "wake, or work, or watch or weep" as "we move into the final watches of the night", and paid tribute to the Queen’s humanity.
The archbishop, who will deliver the sermon at the Queen’s state funeral on Monday, spoke of those involved in the preparations, or who were caring for others, because "life goes on on".
Britons have held a minute’s silence to mourn the Queen’s death ahead of the state funeral.
At 8pm on Sunday, the country observed the silence to remember the late monarch, with people marking the occasion privately at their homes and at community events and vigils.
Liz Truss stood outside 10 Downing Street with her head bowed during the national moment of reflection, with people across the country following suit.
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN'S LYING-IN-STATE QUEUE UPDATE, 7:50PM, 18 Sep
Entry to the queue will close when it reaches final capacity
Queue end point is at London Bridge
Estimated queuing time is 7 hours
Tracker: https://t.co/6BYxq65Cjp pic.twitter.com/wFXW2AiFdw
Big Ben will toll to mark the beginning of the national moment of reflection at 8pm on Sunday.
The bell will be struck once to mark the start of the minute’s silence, UK Parliament said.
It will be struck once more at 8.01pm to mark its end.
Big Ben will also ring on Monday at one-minute intervals as the funeral procession departs the service.
A muffler will be used for the bell, which reduces the impact of the sound and creates a quieter tone.
The chairman of an equestrian society which had a lifelong association with the Queen has spoken of his pride at being invited to her funeral.
Daniel Morgan, 61, will represent the 6,000 members of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society at Westminster Abbey on Monday.
"I am very proud. I’ve been chairman now for the second year and I never thought that this would be a stone on me," said Mr Morgan, a farmer from Lampeter, Ceredigion.
"I am the fourth generation of my family to be breeding Welsh cobs – they really would be proud of me now.
"Our chief executive rang me last week saying that she had had an email from the Palace asking from the representative from the society to go to Her Majesty’s funeral."
The Queen had a passion for horses and became patron of the society aged 18 in 1944.
It is said her love of the breed stemmed from Vardra Greylight, a grey Welsh mountain pony she received as a gift on her 13th birthday in 1939.
People have been warned to avoid driving in parts of London on the day of the Queen’s funeral.
One of the UK’s biggest transport operations will take place on Monday, with around a million people expectedto visit the capital.
Road closures will start to come in on the A4 and the A30 from 6am, with full closures in both directions after 10am, which are not likely to be lifted until the evening.
Multiple closures on local roads along the A4 route will also be in place.
King Charles III has hosted a Buckingham Palace reception for the biggest gathering world leaders in decades on the eve of the Queen’s funeral.
US President Joe Biden and his wife First Lady Jill Biden were among approximately 500 presidents, prime ministers and royals from across the globe who came together as guests of the monarch for the event in the palace’s main state rooms.
Around 200-250 leaders were invited, with most bringing their spouse, including France’s President Emmanuel Macron who was joined by his wife, first lady Brigitte.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and other working members of the royal family including the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester joined Charles and the Queen Consort in mingling with guests.
Dozens of leaders of Commonwealth countries and members of foreign royal families also attended the reception.
At least 10 coaches arrived filled with guests, who solemnly walked into the palace.
The queue to see the late Queen’s coffin at Westminster Hall is estimated to take eight hours, says the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
It tweeted: "A decision will be taken today on when entry to the queue will close as it reaches final capacity.
"Queue end point is at Tower Bridge.
"Estimated queuing time is eight hours."
Former home secretary Priti Patel is reportedly marshalling the queue to see the late Queen’s coffin today.
Online pictures appear to show her wearing a steward’s uniform in the line.
am I mad? @jamesrbuk pic.twitter.com/JJmP6qa6W4
Prime Minister Liz Truss has arrived at Buckingham Palace for the reception which will be attended by around 500 guests.
The Princess of Wales has met the first lady of Ukraine ahead of the Queen’s funeral.
Kate Middleton held an audience with Olena Zelenska at Buckingham Palace.
Downing Street had previously declined to confirm reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s wife would travel to the UK for the funeral.
She was pictured meeting Kate at the Palace on Sunday afternoon.
They sat either side of a fireplace on gingham armchairs with purple orchids on display in the background.
Ms Zelenska earlier visited Westminster Hall to see the Queen lying in state.
World leaders are gathering at Buckingham Palace ahead of a reception by King Charles this evening.
The end of the queue for the Queen’s lying in state is moving 1.5 miles west, from Southwark Park to Potters Fields Park near Tower Bridge, officials said.
This is due to reduced numbers in the line, staff from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said.
Chaperones at Southwark Park will direct mourners to the new end point where they will be able to collect wristbands.
You’re Beautiful singer James Blunt couldn’t stop to chat as he rushed to join the queue today, as the cutoff for it closing nears.
The US president’s vehicle, known as the Beast, has been seen outside Buckingham Palace on its way to Westminster.
The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, is in tears as she visits Westminster Hall where The Queen is Lying-in-State. pic.twitter.com/aSd15OLYsc
Some 2,300 police officers will line the route of the Queen’s final journey from Westminster Abbey to Windsor Castle.
More than 3,000 officers from forces outside London will form part of the 10,000-strong team policing the funeral on Monday, which Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy described as the "final and most complex phase" of the operation after the death of the monarch.
Speaking to the PA news agency in the specialist operations room of the capital’s police force on Sunday, Mr Cundy said: "This is a policing operation the Met has been planning for a considerable amount of time but on Monday we will enter our final and most complex phase of our policing operation.
"First and foremost, our priority is to ensure a safe and a secure state funeral and processional route, but also safe and secure for everyone who’s attending.
"As part of the route from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch, we will have 1,000 police officers alongside military personnel lining the route."
Food confiscated from people waiting in the queue for the Queen’s lying in state is being donated to charity.
People are not allowed to take food or drink inside the Palace of Westminster and any such items will be confiscated.
Charity The Felix Project said it expects to collect over two tonnes of food, mostly snacks including crisps, chocolate and biscuits, and is also accepting unwanted blankets.
With people waiting up to 24 hours to complete the five-mile walk from Southwark Park to Westminster Hall to pay their respects to the Queen, they are coming with plenty of food to keep them going.
King Charles has travelled more than 1,900 miles around the UK since he came to the throne.
Charles has spent more than a week carrying out engagements and a tour of the home nations since the death of the Queen.
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN'S LYING-IN-STATE QUEUE UPDATE, 4:00PM, 18 Sep
Queuing time is at least 10 hours
Queue end is in Southwark Park
A decision will be taken today on final queue closure time. To avoid disappointment please do not set off to join the queue pic.twitter.com/7qWgZZcUQS
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN'S LYING-IN-STATE QUEUE UPDATE, 3:00PM, 18 Sep
Queuing time is at least 9.5 hours
Queue end is in Southwark Park
A decision will be taken today on final queue closure time. To avoid disappointment please do not set off to join the queue pic.twitter.com/erxpfsfSZ9
There was a protest by British people today outside Buckingham Palace against Mohammed bin Salman attending the Queen’s funeral, the Telegraph’s Camilla Tominey has heard from a campaigner at the scene.
Banners read that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia was "not welcome at our Queen’s funeral" others read that "MBS should not beheading to Queen’s funeral".
Earlier Reuters reported he was no longer expected to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral on Monday, according to a British foreign office source.
A man has been charged after the Queen’s coffin was approached by someone who left the queue of mourners in Westminster Hall.
Muhammad Khan, 28, of Barleycorn Way, Tower Hamlets, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in custody on Monday.
He was charged with an offence under Section 4A of the Public Order Act – behaviour intending to cause alarm, harassment or distress at around 10pm on Friday.
St John Ambulance has said they treated 259 people for illness in the queue yesterday.
The charity and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) are working together to provide medical cover in the queue.
Overall, some 403 people in the "ceremonial areas" of London needed medical support on Saturday and 19 of these were taken to hospital.
St John expressed concern about cold temperatures overnight as people queue alongside the River Thames.
Temperatures had dropped as low as 4C for those waiting in line overnight on Friday and early on Saturday morning.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is no longer expected to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral on Monday, a British foreign office source told Reuters, contrary to Britain’s earlier expectations that he would.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has left Downing Street after his meeting with Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Mr Trudeau briefly smiled at photographers as he left and then climbed into a black BMW 4×4.
He did not say anything as he left the premises.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said now is not the right time to discuss whether the country may become a republic.
Earlier New Zealand leader Jacinda Arden said she believed her country would do so in her lifetime.
Asked when the question might be revisited, Mr Albanese told the BBC: "I don’t think now’s the time to discuss those issues, and I have made that clear.
"This is a time in which we should acknowledge the life of service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth."
Mr Albanese said he made it very clear his "priority" as PM would be to commit to a referendum in this term to "recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our constitution".
"It should be a source of great pride for our nation, and indeed is, that we have the oldest continuous culture on Earth, going back some 65,000 years, and that should be recognised in our nation’s birth certificate," he said.
Victoria Beckham has said she has spent the last week "reflecting" on the death of the Queen.
The former Spice Girl turned fashion designer, 48, praised the late monarch as the "ultimate icon in every way and the epitome of elegance" in a post to her 30 million followers on Instagram.
Beckham, whose husband David queued for 13 hours to see the Queen lying in state this week, also shared a series of photos of the monarch in various outfits, with her corgis and horses.
In her post, Beckham wrote: "I’ve spent the last week reflecting on the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and how she was a powerful source of inspiration not just for me, but for so many around the world.
"The ultimate icon in every way and the epitome of elegance, she will live on in our hearts and minds forever.
"I offer my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family at this time, and we join them in mourning the loss of our beloved Sovereign."
Irish premier Micheal Martin has said that the late Queen "made an enormous contribution" to reconciliation and Anglo-Irish relations through "her authentic actions".
Speaking to reporters in London, the Taoiseach said that "her warmth, her authentic actions, and by actions and by what she did, she made an enormous contribution".
"I think it also reflects the breadth and the depth of the relationship between Britain and Ireland. Between the British people and the Irish people, and many Irish in Britain, for whom this is a sad occasion in terms of the passing of Queen Elizabeth.
"She was a constant in many lives for a long long time. An extraordinary, historic reign.
"I do appreciate the invitation to be here, accompanying the president, on such a sad occasion, but also one which allows us to reflect, to recognise Queen Elizabeth’s contribution to the quality of life and particularly reconciliation between these two islands, and was happy to take that opportunity."
Irish premier Micheal Martin has said that he is grateful for the invitation to the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and paid tribute to her contribution to reconciliation.
Speaking to reporters in London, he said: "I appreciate the opportunity to be here at the funeral accompanying the president to pay our tribute to Queen Elizabeth’s dedicated service to the people of the United Kingdom and of course, her contribution to reconciliation on these islands and particularly in terms of the relationship between Britain and Ireland.
"We all recall that historic visit in 2011 which in many ways cemented the relationship between our two countries in the modern era.
"Almost the crowning event of a whole series of events prior to that in terms of peace building, reconciliation leading to the Good Friday Agreement and I think that was the significance of that visit."
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has arrived in Downing Street for a meeting with Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Big Ben will toll to mark the beginning of the national moment of reflection at 8pm on Sunday.
The bell will be struck once to mark the start of the minute’s silence, UK Parliament said.
It will be struck once more at 8.01pm to mark its end.
Big Ben will also ring on Monday at one-minute intervals as the funeral procession departs the service.
A muffler will be used for the bell, which reduces the impact of the sound and creates a quieter tone.
Two of the late Queen’s horses have appeared on Newmarket’s world famous racecourse for the first time since her death, with their riders dressed in the royal silks.
Queen Elizabeth II was a prolific owner and breeder and even discussed "her love for her horses right to the very end", according to her racing adviser.
Organisers of Newmarket’s Henry Cecil Open Weekend arranged for horses Saga and Educator to appear in front of crowds of racegoers on Warren Hill on Sunday morning.
Their jockeys Robert Havlin and Michael Hills were both dressed in the royal colours: purple with gold braid, scarlet sleeves, black velvet cap with gold fringe.
Trainer Charlie Fellowes, chairman of the Henry Cecil Open Weekend, said: "The Queen was a huge supporter of British racing and we felt it was important to show Newmarket’s appreciation for the enormous contribution she made to our industry.
"It was wonderful for everyone to see two of her horses with riders dressed in her famous silks at a place she loved visiting whenever she could."
The Queen Consort Camilla is mooted to take over Queen Elizabeth II’s horse breeder role.
Former PM Gordon Brown has revealed Queen Elizabeth II was "very understanding" of the 2008 credit crunch.
Mr Brown, who attended regular audiences with the Queen as he presented the budget as Chancellor and later as Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010, told BBC Radio Scotland’s the Sunday Show: "She was very understanding of the problems that we all faced at the time of the global financial crisis."
The late monarch, he said, volunteered to entertain world leaders at the G20 meeting in 2009 – as the effects of the crisis took hold.
During the meeting, the Queen put former Italian minister Silvio Berlusconi "in his place" for arriving late.
Mr Brown recalled: "We had this group photograph and she was at the centre. I was sitting next to her, Obama was there.
"Berlusconi rushes in late and shouts ‘Obama’ and wants to be the centre of attention – rushes right up to the Queen and Obama.
"And, of course, the sternest look, I have never seen anything like it. Berlusconi was certainly put in his place by the Queen."
Dear Mummy, Mother, Your Majesty, three in one.
Your Majesty, it has been an honour and privilege to serve you.
Mother – of the nation, your devotion and personal service to our nation is unique and singular; your people show their love and respect in so many different ways and I know you are looking on honouring their respect.
Mummy, your love for a son, your compassion, your care, your confidence I will treasure forever. I have found your knowledge and wisdom infinite, with no boundary or containment. I will miss your insights, advice and humour. As our book of experiences closes, another opens, and I will forever hold you close to my heart with my deepest love and gratitude, and I will tread gladly into the next with you as my guide.
God save The King.
The leader of New Zealand said she believes the country will become a republic in her lifetime as she visited the UK for the late Queen’s state funeral.
Jacinda Ardern told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show: "He (King Charles III) shares many passions and interests that New Zealanders do.
"And I think that means that that relationship already exists. It’s a transition, but it’s not a jarring transition for New Zealand."
Asked why she has said in the past that she believes the country will become a republic in her lifetime, she said: "I think even the Queen herself has observed and acknowledged the evolution over time in our relationships.
"My observation is that there will continue to be an evolution in our relationship. I don’t believe it will be quick or soon, but over the course of my lifetime."
The Duke of York, in a tribute to his late mother the Queen, said: "Mummy, your love for a son, your compassion, your care, your confidence I will treasure forever."
More than 10,000 military staff are to perform their "last duty" to the Queen during her state funeral, the Chief of the Defence Staff has said.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said "enormous" planning for the service at Westminster Abbey on Monday has gone on "for a very long time", and told of how military chiefs have been told to "up their game" and listen to a metronome at 75 beats per minute in order to get the right rhythm for the funeral procession.
He said 6,000 military personnel will be part of the procession lining the route in London and Windsor, where the late monarch’s coffin will arrive for a televised committal service at the castle, with more than 10,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators will be involved overall.
Admiral Sir Tony told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: "For all of us, this is our last duty for Her Majesty the Queen and it’s our first prominent duty for His Majesty King Charles, and we’re representing the nation, we’re representing our mothers, our grandmothers, our fathers, our friends, and everybody’s very, very aware of that."
He added: "So the army the Royal Navy, the Air Force, but also our civil servants, and we’re helping other people in London, the emergency services, some of the volunteers as well, and so that this is a sombre occasion, but it’s done with the utmost respect and also affection."
The UK Armed Forces are continuing to honour their Commander-in-Chief of 70 years, Her Majesty The Queen, as they stand vigil alongside The King's Body Guard. pic.twitter.com/1iJi4xGGbJ
The monarch arrived back at Buckingham Palace to cheers of the crowds.
He is due to meet PM Liz Truss and the cabinet ahead of a reception to heads of state and senior delegates, arriving from around the world ahead of his mother’s funeral tomorrow.
Liz Truss will have an audience with the King ahead of a reception at Buckingham Palace for heads of state visiting for the Queen’s funeral.
The Prime Minister will meet the new monarch before presidents and prime ministers from around the world gather in the picture gallery and state apartments at around 6pm on Sunday, where drinks and canapes will be served.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials are said to have handwritten about 1,000 invitations for both the funeral service on Monday and the King’s reception at the palace. For most countries, that means the head of state plus one guest.
Heads of state are also expected to sign a book of condolence for Her Majesty at Lancaster House.
A national two-minute silence in honour of Queen Elizabeth II will be held at the end of her state funeral on Monday.
The country will fall silent at 11.55am on Monday, before the late monarch’s coffin is taken from Westminster Abbey to her final resting place in Windsor.
There will also be a one-minute silence to remember the late Queen at 8pm on Sunday, with people invited to mark the occasion privately at home, on their doorsteps or street, or at community events and vigils.
Hundreds more people queuing for Queen Elizabeth II’s lying in state have been taken ill, with 55 taken to hospital.
Some people have been fainting and collapsing while waiting to see the late monarch’s coffin, with organisations such as St John Ambulance on hand to help mourners.
London Ambulance Service said it provided care to 368 people on Saturday.
It brings the total number of people treated during the lying in state to 1,078, with 136 people taken to hospital.
Mourners in the queue for Queen Elizabeth II’s lying in state are being directed to bereavement counsellor centres, as charities reported an increase in demand since the monarch’s passing.
Mental health charities said they had been preparing for years to give people support when the monarch died, recognising that the news might trigger old feelings of personal loss.
Volunteers in the crowds can direct distressed people to Cruse Bereavement Support teams in welfare centres to chat quietly.
Andy Langford, clinical director at Cruse Bereavement Support, said: "Having somewhere safe and secure to go, where you can talk with someone, take some time out, and get access to information, is so important for those struggling with their grief."
Ruth Duckworth, parenting coach from Parent Talk, said: "The numbers ringing Parent Talk are huge. We can safely say we’ve seen a spike since the news."
Mourners have been trying to sell their second-hand wristbands for the queue to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state – with prices soaring to £70,000.
Online seller eBay has now banned the sale of wristbands after bids started racking up.
The site’s event ticket policy prohibits the sale of most tickets, including those for events that are free to the public.
A spokesman for eBay said: "These items are against our policies and we are removing them from our site."
Some mourners are already having second thoughts about joining the queue for the lying in state, writes Daniel Capurro.
Anna had travelled from Nuneaton with her seven-year-old daughter but decided on arriving that the queue was too long.
"We booked the train a week ago, but then the queue got longer and longer," she said. "It was getting a bit shorter again so we took the train, but now it’s got so long again. She’s only seven so I think we’ll go to Buckingham Palace and see the tributes instead.
"We are Catholics and we went to a requiem mass at our local church. That spiritual element, that was more important."
Her daughter, clutching a corgi stuffed animal toy with a Union flag around its neck, said: "We didn’t know what we were going to do when we got on the train."
Others have been stocking up on snacks, ready for a long wait.
King Charles has met all the heads of the Armed Forces, as he builds on the relationships he built with the military as Prince of Wales.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the Chief of the Defence Staff, told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: "We’re fortunate he knows us all, we already have a relationship with him.
"And that was an opportunity for us to express our condolences, but also from my position to express the extraordinary richness of the condolences from chiefs of defence all across the world."
Jacinda Ardern has said New Zealand will not become a republic "quick or soon" and that she has no intention of instigating the process.
New Zealand’s prime minister told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: "My observation is that there will continue to be an evolution in our relationship. I don’t believe it will be quick or soon, but over the course of my lifetime."
Pressed on how and when this might happen, she said: "We have complex arrangements, the Treaty of Waitangi – a very important founding document for Aotearoa, New Zealand, signed between Maori and the Crown.
"This is why it’s not a process I have any intent of instigating, but if and when it does occur, it will take time, and it will need to be very carefully worked through."
Ms Ardern also had her first audience with Charles III as monarch while in the UK for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
Queen Elizabeth II did not want a "long, boring" funeral, the former archbishop of York has said – as he told people to expect "the best of funeral services".
Lord Sentamu told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: "The Queen does not and did not want what you call long, boring services."
He added: "You’re not going to find boredom, but you’re going to be lifted to glory as you hear the service.
"The hearts and people’s cockles will be warmed and at the same time, there will be a moment of saying this is a funeral service that is glorious in its setting."
Supermarkets, fashion stores and cinemas will close their doors on Monday due to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
The nation’s biggest retailers will shut for the bank holiday, so workers can pay their respects to Her Majesty.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Lidl and Aldi are among those closing their stores for the day, although Tesco’s Express convenience stores will open from 5pm.
Sainsbury’s also said convenience stores and petrol stations will open from 5pm, while Marks and Spencer and Primark will shut for the day.
Cinema chains such as Cineworld and Odeon have also announced plans to keep their venues shut. A number of pub groups have said they will keep venues open.
The King will host world leaders and foreign royals at Buckingham Palace on the eve of his mother’s funeral.
Presidents and prime ministers from across the globe have been arriving in London throughout the weekend for Monday’s service.
The reception will reportedly be a muted affair, with guests asked to wear lounge suits and morning dress – with no hats or decorations.
They will gather in the picture gallery and state apartments at around 6pm on Sunday, where drinks and canapes will be served.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials are said to have handwritten about 1,000 invitations for both the service on Monday and the King’s reception at the palace. For most countries, that means the head of state plus one guest.
Gillian Keegan, a foreign minister and the MP for Chichester, was paying her respects at Westminster Hall on Saturday when Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren arrived for their poignant vigil.
“It was totally unexpected and unbelievably moving,” she said.
“It really was a moment when the grief for their grannie was palpable and is shared by all of us.”
Joe Biden has arrived in the UK ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
The US president was pictured arriving on Air Force One at Stansted Airport on Saturday evening.
Mr Biden is one of many world leaders attending the late Queen’s state funeral, which is expected to be one of the largest diplomatic events for years.
The list also includes Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, and Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada, along with royalty from around the world – such as the Emperor and Empress of Japan and King Felipe of Spain.
Scores of the most important political and royal figures in their respective countries will share transport to reach the service, with a bus organised by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Diplomatic Office. However, Mr Biden will travel in his own personal armoured car known as "the beast".
A nationwide minute’s silence will be held on Sunday to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The late monarch is lying in state at Westminster Hall until 6.30am on Monday, ahead of a state funeral at Westminster Abbey.
At 8pm, the country will observe a one-minute silence to remember the late Queen, with people invited to mark the occasion privately at home, on their doorsteps or street, or at community events and vigils.
It will come shortly after the Queen Consort pays a televised tribute to her mother-in-law, saying: "I will always remember her smile."
The Queen Consort has paid tribute to Her late Majesty, saying she was a "solitary woman" in a male-dominated world.
In a pre-recorded interview with the BBC, Camilla praised the late monarch’s "wonderful blue eyes" and said: "I will always remember her smile.
"I can’t remember anyone except the Queen being there."
The tribute to her late mother-in-law will air on BBC One’s Eve of the State Funeral broadcast at 7pm on Sunday.
The Met Office has warned mourners considering coming into London for the late Queen’s funeral to expect ‘chilly nights’ in the capital.
If you are planning to attend Her Majesty The Queen's Lying-in-State or State Funeral in London please be prepared for the weather, particularly the chilly nights.
Read the guidance: https://t.co/OoRqBfviMF
Weather forecasts at: https://t.co/F9hTjLBQF5 pic.twitter.com/zyw1iLQiZm
The state funeral for the late Queen will take place in London on Monday.
Although just 2,000 guests have been specifically invited to attend the private service at Westminster Abbey, millions more are expected to watch the service live on television.
Find out where to watch the proceedings and when here.
Sunday is the final full day of the Queen lying in state, with the queue to see her coffin expected to close this afternoon to give as many people as possible the chance at paying their respects.
The queue tracker currently states that the queue time is at least 12 hours, which is significantly lower than the time of 24 hours at this time on Saturday.
The accessible queue already closed on Saturday afternoon.
Anthony Albanese, Australia’s prime minister, has paid tribute to the relationship the late Queen had with the country and its people, saying she had a "great affection for Australians".
Speaking to Sky News Australia, Mr Albanese said: "[She had] A remarkable life, well-lived. A life lived in the service of others, served in the interests of the people of the UK, but also the Commonwealth and the world.
"The Queen was Australia’s first monarch to visit. She visited Australia some 16 times. She had a great affection for Australians.
"She was someone who had that affection and Australians had an affection back to Her Majesty."
Two Northern Ireland recipients of the Queen’s final Birthday Honours have spoken of their pride at being asked to attend the late monarch’s funeral.
Brenda Herron, who has spent more than 40 years as a Girlguiding leader, and senior Orangeman and Presbyterian minister Rev Mervyn Gibson were both made MBEs in June.
They will join dignitaries from around the world inside Westminster Abbey on Monday as they pay respects to the Queen at the state funeral.
"It’s just a privilege and an absolute honour," Mrs Herron said of her invite to the funeral.
Rev Gibson said he was left in a state of disbelief after receiving a phone call from a Government official informing him of his invite.
"I was just so humbled by the whole thing."
Food confiscated from people waiting in the queue for the Queen’s lying in state is being donated to charity.
People are not allowed to take food or drink inside the Palace of Westminster and any such items will be confiscated.
Charity The Felix Project has received hundreds of kilos of food, mostly snacks like crisps, chocolate and biscuits, and is also accepting unwanted blankets.
With people waiting up to 24 hours to complete the five-mile walk from Southwark Park to Westminster Hall to pay their respects to the Queen, they are coming with plenty of food to keep them going.
When they get to Victoria Tower Gardens the food is confiscated before entry to the Parliamentary estate is allowed and instead of being thrown away, all non-perishable and unopened packages are saved.
The accessible queue to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state closed permanently on Saturday afternoon as officials warned the main queue would also shut on Sunday
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were invited to a state reception at Buckingham Palace in error, The Telegraph understands
The King wants the law amended so that counsellors of state are working members of the Royal family, the Telegraph understands
She paid Camilla the greatest tribute when she decreed that she should be known as Queen Consort. Now the Queen Consort will show her respect for Queen Elizabeth II in a televised tribute recalling her “wonderful blue eyes” and saying: “I will always remember her smile.”
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