Thursday 15 September 2022 09:26 AM Queen's lying-in-state: Everything you need to know as mourners begin paying ... trends now
Details on how the public can see the Queen's lying-in-state period in London have been revealed, with people warned to expect long queues and be prepared to stand for 'many hours' through the night.
In the capital, mourners are now able to file solemnly past the coffin at Westminster Hall for 24 hours a day until 6.30am on the day of the funeral - Monday September 19 - with long queues of up to 30 hours expected.
The Government has stressed that the queue will continuously move - with little chance to rest or sit down - and has urged people to 'dress appropriately'. Clothes 'with political or offensive slogans' have been banned.
Queue-jumpers and anyone drunk will be taken out of the queue by stewards and police patrolling the lines. Visitors will also face airport-style security checks, with tight restrictions on what can be taken in.
MailOnline reveals what you need to know if you'd like to see the sovereign's coffin over the following week:
How long is the queue?
Last night it was already some 2.5 miles, meaning a wait of around 12 hours. Hundreds of thousands of people are have opted to stand in line along the Thames overnight as ministers have warned their long wait could last 30 hours or more.
The queue to view the Queen's lying in state has extended since overnight, now stretching between Southwark Bridge and London Bridge.
By Thursday morning, it was approximately 2.8 miles long, and had not stretched beyond 3 miles since Tuesday, the day before the lying-in-state officially opened. The queue itself is moving at around 0.5 miles per hour.
The queue to view the Queen's lying in state in Westminster has extended overnight, now stretching between Southwark Bridge and London Bridge as per the DMCS's latest live tracking update
The Department for Media, Culture and Sport has set up a helpful livestream allowing visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the Queen's coffin to see exactly where they need to head to
Can I be turned away if the queue gets too long?
Yes, as officials expect a maximum of 330,000 people will file past Her Majesty's coffin over the next four days. With up to one million mourners expected in the capital, some are likely to, unfortunately, be forced to miss out.
The Government's official guidance previously said: 'The queue is expected to be very long. You will need to stand for many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down, as the queue will keep moving.'
It also noted that the queue 'may close early to ensure as many visitors as possible can enter the Palace'.
Officials expect a maximum of 330,000 people will file past Her Majesty's coffin over the next four days. With up to one million mourners expected in the capital, some are likely to, unfortunately, be forced to miss out
Where do I join - and can I check the length of the queue beforehand?
Yes, the Department for Media, Culture and Sport has set up a helpful livestream allowing visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the Queen's coffin to see exactly where they need to head to.
Some technical difficulties have already been experienced, however, as on Thursday morning the YouTube stream crashed due to the number of people trying to access it.
More details on where to join the back of the queue can be found by accessing the livestream on the Government's official tracking channel: www.youtube.com/user/dcms
On Thursday morning the Department for Media, Culture and Sport's livestream of the queue crashed due to the number of people trying to access it
Will there be security checks and do I need a wristband?
Security checks will be taking place throughout the line, and visitors will be going through airport-style security with numerous restrictions on permitted items.
Members of the public who are in the queue are asked to remain vigilant to security threats and report these to security staff or the police as soon as possible. Officers may conduct security searches along parts of the queue.
Mourners hoping to pay their respects will be also issued with a numbered wristband to ensure entry to Westminster Hall.
Security checks will be taking place throughout the line, and visitors will be going through airport-style security with numerous restrictions on permitted items. Mourners hoping to pay their respects will be also issued with a numbered wristband to ensure entry to Westminster Hall
What will I be able to see?
People will be able to file past the Queen's catafalque, which is the framework around the coffin. Her oak coffin has been draped in the rich colours of the Royal Standard, with the dazzling Imperial State Crown lying atop alongside the Orb and Sceptre.
The sovereign's catafalque will be protected by ceremonial guards throughout the period of lying-in-state. These units include the Gentlemen at Arms and the Yeomen of the Guard.
Their 24-hour watch will be broken down into four six-hour shifts, with guards rotating around the vigil every 20 minutes.
People will be able to file past the Queen's catafalque, which is the framework around the coffin. Her oak coffin has been draped in the rich colours of the Royal Standard, with the dazzling Imperial State Crown lying atop alongside the Orb and Sceptre
