After processions and vigils by the royal family, it is now the public’s turn to bid farewell to the Queen as she is in state. Tens of thousands of people have queued for hours to see her coffin in Westminster Hall, where monarchs have been in state for more than a century. Queen is in status – latest updates Here’s a guide to what to look out for in the room.

  1. Imperial State Crown The Queen wore the tiara at her coronation in 1953. It has also been used on other occasions, such as the State Opening of Parliament. The crown, which now rests on her coffin, is made of gold and has 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls and four rubies. It contains jewels such as the Black Prince Ruby, the Stuart Sapphire and the Cullinan II Diamond. St. Edward’s Sapphire, set in the center of the highest cross, is said to have been worn in a ring by St. Edward the Confessor and was discovered in his tomb in 1163. The tiara was created for the coronation of the Queen’s father, King George VI, in 1937.
  2. Flowers Next to the crown is a wreath of flowers. They are white roses, white roses and white dahlias and foliage such as pine from the gardens at Balmoral and pittosporum, lavender and rosemary from the gardens at Windsor. On the other side of the crown is the orb and scepter – both dating from 1661. They were presented to the Queen at her coronation. The orb is a golden sphere surmounted by a cross that reminds the monarch that their power comes from God. The scepter, a 3m long golden rod, is associated with good governance and holds the world’s largest colorless diamond, the Cullinan I.
  3. Royal Standard The coffin is draped in a royal standard, which represents the sovereign and the United Kingdom. The Royal Standard was flown when the Queen was in residence at one of the Royal Palaces, on the Queen’s car on official journeys and on aircraft (when on the ground). On the flag, there are four quarters – England (three lions) in the first and fourth quarters, Scotland (a lion rampant) in the second quarter and Ireland (a harp) in the third quarter. Click to subscribe to Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts Wales is not represented on the Royal Standard, as its special status as a principality was recognized by the creation of the Prince of Wales long before the incorporation of the quarters for Scotland and Ireland into the Royal Arms. In Scotland, a different version of the Royal Standard is used, with the Scottish arms on the first and fourth quarters and the English arms on the second.
  4. Catafalque After the coffin was carried by eight guards into Westminster Hall, it was lifted into place on the catafalque, which is a raised platform. The candlestick is surrounded by four large yellow candles.
  5. Wanamaker Cross At the head of the casket stands the Wanamaker cross. It is one of the four processional crosses of Westminster Abbey, and is made of ivory and silver gilt, and decorated with a series of panels of beaten gold and sapphires. On one side, the panels show the crucifixion with representations of the Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection and Ascension on the arms of the cross. On the other side is Jesus Christ, with groups of apostles in his hands. The smaller panels show emblems of the evangelists and figures of angels.
  6. Beefeaters Among those who guard the casket in constant 24-hour vigil are the Yeomen Warders, also known as beefeaters. They are usually on duty at the Tower of London.
  7. Household Cavalry Members of the Household Cavalry also guard the coffin. The Household Cavalry is an amalgamation of the two most senior regiments of the British Army – The Life Guards and The Blues & Royals. It is divided into the Household Cavalry regiment and the Household Cavalry Regiment. The Household Cavalry Regiment is the operational unit, providing armored reconnaissance. The Mounted Regiment of the Household Cavalry is the ceremonial face of the regiment. Read more: Queen leaves Buckingham Palace for last time In pictures: Meghan joins royal family in coffin procession Among the other soldiers guarding the coffin are members of the Grenadier Guards. The guards change positions every 20 minutes.