Decision to be taken on when to close queue as lying in state enters final 24 hours
Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile
Queue to pay respect to Queen’s coffin paused for six hours after reaching capacity
People have been warned not to set off to join the queue for the Queen’s lying in state as it is expected to close later today.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said in a statement: “A decision will be taken today on when entry to the queue for Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State will close as it reaches final capacity.
“Queue times are already 13.5 hours and may increase.
“To avoid disappointment please do not set off to join the queue.”
World leaders have started arriving in London for the Queen’s funeral, as today marks the final full day of the monarch’s lying-in-state.
US president Joe Biden has landed in the UK and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and Indian president Droupadi Murmu are some of the leaders due to arrive for what will be one of the largest gatherings of international dignitaries in years.
Public access to Westminster Hall is due to end at 6.30am on Monday so the Queen’s coffin can be moved to Westminster Abbey for her funeral.
The Duke of York has issued a tribute to his mother, the late 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.”
Princess Anne made history this week by taking part in the Vigil of Princes following the death of her mother.
The Princess Royal participated in a second, 15-minute vigil at Westminster Hall as Queen Elizabeth II’s children – led by King Charles III – stood solemnly around her coffin.
The Queen’s only daughter was with in her in her final hours at Balmoral and also accompanied the hearse from Scotland to Buckingham Palace – calling the journey “an honour and a privilege”.
Here’s what we know about Princess Anne and her relationship with her mother:
Princess Royal remained by her mother’s side as the late Queen made her final journey from Balmoral to Buckingham Palace
King Charles has arrived back in Buckingham Palace ahead of the Queen’s funeral tomorrow.
The new monarch is set to hold an audience with Liz Truss at the Palace this afternoon.
ITV show This Morning has insisted its presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby did not “jump the queue” for Queen Elizabeth II’s lying in state.
The pair received criticism on social media after they appeared inside Westminster Hall without having taken part in the queue.
The presenters queued in a separate line to the thousands of mourners who waited hours to view the Queen lying in state in the ancient hall.
Emily Atkinson has the full story:
This Morning says the television presenters attended in a professional capacity after criticism on social media
King Charles will lead his family for a second time in walking behind his mother’s coffin when it is moved from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey for her funeral service.
The Queen’s coffin, which is currently located in Westminster Hall for her lying in state, will be carried on a 123-year-old gun carriage pulled by 98 Royal Navy sailors.
Among the members of the royal family who will walk behind the gun carriage is the Earl of Snowdon, the Queen’s nephew.
Kate Ng explains exactly who he is:
David Armstrong-Jones will walk behind the Queen’s coffin during her funeral procession
A seven-year-old boy has received a letter from Queen Elizabeth II, posted to him on the day the late monarch died.
The message from the royal, sent to Charlie, of Ilford, east London, came in response to a note he had sent to congratulate her on June’s platinum jubilee celebrations.
Emily Atkinson has the full story:
Charlie’s mother said the note from the late monarch ‘was so emotional and truly special to receive’
London Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance treated 368 queuing to see the Queen’s coffin on Friday.
55 of those patients were taken to hospital for treatment.
It brings the total number of people treated since the queue began to 1,078 with 136 overall taken to hospital.
More than 10,000 people from the military will be involved in the Queen’s funeral, the Chief of the Defence Staff has said.
Speaking about funeral plans, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “It’s enormous, it’s actually over 10,000 people in terms of both our soldiers, sailors and aviators, there will be about 6,000 as part of the procession and lining the route, both in London and Windsor.
“But it’s an enormous support effort as well, the planning has been going on for a very long time and we have the plans and now we have to execute them and there’s lots of brilliant people that are enabling that and it’s coming together as well.
“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 King and Prince of Wales met people waiting in the queue for Queen Elizabeth II’s lying in state at Westminster Hall.
Hundreds of people in line at Lambeth, south London, cheered and applauded as King Charles and Prince William emerged.
Visitors shouted “God save the King” as the King moved down the queue, while Prince William apologised to mourners for the long wait.
Thomas Kingsley has the full story:
Visitors shouted ‘God save the King’ as new monarch moved down queue
People have been warned not to set off to join the queue for the Queen’s lying in state as it is expected to close later today.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said in a statement: “A decision will be taken today on when entry to the queue for Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State will close as it reaches final capacity.
“Queue times are already 13.5 hours and may increase.
“To avoid disappointment please do not set off to join the queue.”
Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism
By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists
{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}
By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Already have an account? sign in
By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism
By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists
{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}
By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Already have an account? sign in
By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Mourners have been warned ‘do not set off’ to join the queue for the Queen’s lying in state
Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Log in
New to The Independent?
Or if you would prefer:
Want an ad-free experience?
Hi {{indy.fullName}}