Monday 19 September 2022 09:08 AM Mourners travel from across the country to watch Queen's funeral trends now

Monday 19 September 2022 09:08 AM Mourners travel from across the country to watch Queen's funeral trends now
Monday 19 September 2022 09:08 AM Mourners travel from across the country to watch Queen's funeral trends now

Monday 19 September 2022 09:08 AM Mourners travel from across the country to watch Queen's funeral trends now

Tens of thousands of people are already lining the streets of London and Windsor this morning to say a final farewell to Queen Elizabeth II ahead of her state funeral.

Many spent a cold night outdoors as they camped out along The Mall in order to reserve prime viewing spots for the late monarch's funeral procession, while tens of thousands made journeys into the capital early on Monday morning.

Members of the public took up positions along the route from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, where Her Majesty will begin her last journey on a two-and-a-half ton gun carriage pulled by 98 Royal Navy sailors.

However, crowds have been told that procession route viewing areas are already full and are being sent to Hyde Park where they can watch the Queen's state funeral on four big screens installed for the occasion. 

Every available view of Westminster Abbey had been occupied before dawn.

Overnight, Parliament Square and Whitehall transformed into a giant campsite as thousands claimed their spots and sat behind barriers in neat rows.

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners are lining the route that Queen Elizabeth II's coffin will be pulled along on a gun carriage following her state funeral service at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners are lining the route that Queen Elizabeth II's coffin will be pulled along on a gun carriage following her state funeral service at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners are lining the route that Queen Elizabeth II's coffin will be pulled along on a gun carriage following her state funeral service at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners are lining the route that Queen Elizabeth II's coffin will be pulled along on a gun carriage following her state funeral service at Westminster Abbey this morning

Crowds outside the Treasury across Parliament Square from Westminster Abbey on Monday morning

Crowds outside the Treasury across Parliament Square from Westminster Abbey on Monday morning

Others lay in untidy heaps on pavements or curled up in doorways.

Some had come well equipped. A few even brought tents. Others built temporary homes out of plastic sheeting.

Shortly after 5am cheers greeted the arrival of the historic gun carriage first used at the funeral of Queen Victoria in 1901.

It was brought in on the back of a low loader before being hauled into position by a team of waiting Royal Navy ratings.

Police officers dressed in smart uniforms who will take part in ceremonial duties were applauded as they marched in file along Whitehall in the darkness towards the Abbey.

Many of those who had travelled to London insisted they believed it was their duty to be here to help the nation pay a fitting tribute to the Queen's remarkable reign.

Grandmothers Christine Whitby and Shirin Thorpe, both, 61, were the first mourners to arrive for the funeral - setting up camp in Westminster at 8am on Thursday morning.

The pair from Sevenoaks, Kent, were moved three times by police before finding a spot on the edge of Parliament Square.

They hung two Union Flags from metal barriers in front of them and brought tents, inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags and winter coats to endure four cold nights on the streets.

Shirin, a retired vintage clothing seller, said: 'There's going to be millions of people here and we didn't want to miss out.

'I did feel like it was my duty to be here and I feel a part of it.

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners are lining the route that Queen Elizabeth II's coffin will be pulled along on a gun carriage following her state funeral service at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners are lining the route that Queen Elizabeth II's coffin will be pulled along on a gun carriage following her state funeral service at Westminster Abbey this morning

'To me it would have been like not going to your mother's funeral.

'I wanted to pay my condolences to the family, do my bit and grieve with them.

'As far as I'm concerned the Queen put the Great in Britain and I'm not sure what life will be without her.

'She has been in my life as far back as I can remember.

'It sounds really stupid but it feels like she is part of the family.'

'I take a lot from her strengths. She was a mechanic during the war, raised kids and worked up until the day she died. She did so much for women.'

As she spoke she burst into tears saying: 'I'm sorry. The enormity of it all is finally hitting home.

'I lost my mother five years ago aged 95 so I feel that too.'

Christine said: 'Our families thought we were crazy. They told me I wouldn't even make one night but that made me even more determined to see it through.

'I wanted to be here. She's been my Queen my entire life. I wanted to pay my respects and until the day I die, along with the births of my son and grandson, this will be my everlasting memory.'

Stephen Garner, 53, from Canterbury, Kent, said: 'The Queen was part of the fabric of our lives - she was always there and now she's gone. 

'There's never going to be another monarch like her, certainly not in any of our lifetimes and there will never be another day like today.'

People heading to the capital spoke of their mixed emotions as they prepared to say a final farewell to the Queen.

A couple from Lewisham got up before dawn so they could get a ‘last look’ at Her Majesty the Queen and ‘say goodbye’ at the state funeral today.

Yan Lung, 36, and Lulu Lee, 30, had brought fold up chairs, a blanket, food and drink to sustain them through their wait,

Yan, a wholesaler, told MailOnline: ‘We got up early because we want to get a good spot so we can get a last look at the Queen and say goodbye.

‘This is a big international event and we want to be there. It’s a part of history.’

The couple, who are originally from China, have. When living in the UK for 15 years and have grown to love the Queen.

Lulu explained: ‘The Queen is a very kind person. She has always been here caring for the people. So we want to say goodbye.’

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Another couple told how they had come to London from Edinburgh to ‘pay their respects’ after they were unable to honour Her Majesty in Scotland.

Becky Knight, 32, a doctor, and Michael Rutherford , an IT worker, stayed overnight at a friend’s house in Lewisham.

Becky explained: ‘I was there last Sunday when the Queen

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