Thousands of mourners are lining up for the Queen to lie in state as the King takes a day off from public duties ahead of Monday’s funeral. Members of the public can pay their respects at the late monarch’s coffin 24 hours a day at Westminster Hall, with queues stretching 3.8 miles past Tower Bridge until 11.45am on Thursday morning. The Queen’s coffin continues to be guarded at all hours by units of the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Department or the Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London. One of the guards suddenly collapsed during the night, with nearby officials quickly rushing to his aid after he appeared to pass out. Metropolitan Police officers, volunteers and flight attendants manage the queue while there are toilets and taps at various points along the route.
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It was the first night people could pay their respects to the Queen after the ancient hall opened at 5pm on Wednesday. Meanwhile, rehearsals took place overnight for the late monarch’s funeral on Monday.
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The Princess Royal arrives in Glasgow / the Cambridges arrive at Sandringham
Princess Anne has arrived in Glasgow. The Princess Royal will see the flowers left for the Queen, as will the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who are visiting the royal estate at Sandringham. Princess Anne, the royal princess / Getty Images1663241091
The bell will ring in the new King
Lloyds of London will ring the Lutin Bell to mark the death of the Queen and the reign of Britain’s new King. A single toll of the historic bell will mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II and begin the ceremony at the insurance and reinsurance market’s headquarters in central London. The bell will also rung twice to recognize the new King Charles III, concluding Thursday’s ceremony in the reception hall. The Lutine Bell inside Lloyds of London / File P.A A spokesman said the ceremony – which is open to Lloyd’s passport holders, including Lloyd’s market members and employees of the Corporation of Lloyd’s – would give people the chance to come together to remember the Queen and show their support for the new King . The bell, now rarely rung, was salvaged from HMS Lutine, whose wreck in 1799 was one of Lloyd’s largest and most famous claims, cementing its reputation for being able to settle any claim. The Lloyd’s building, reception hall and all global offices will be closed for the Queen’s state funeral on Monday. 1663240953
Queue now up to four miles
The queue has now turned a corner towards St Saviour’s and is around four miles – its longest distance to date. Members of the public file beyond the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II / PA1663239701
The mosque breaks the national anthem
Central London Mosque / PA File/PA Images A service at London’s central mosque sang the national anthem, God Save The King, in what organizers said was the first time in a UK mosque since the Queen’s death. Organizers of the gathering to commemorate the Queen’s life and mark the arrival of King Charles III, held at London’s Regent’s Park Mosque, said it was the first time since the Queen’s death that God Save The King had been sung in UK mosque. 1663239567
“Biggest handshake I’ve ever had”
Paul Faith’s historic photograph of the Queen shaking hands with then Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness in 2012 (Paul Faith/PA) / File P.A The only photographer to capture the historic moment the Queen greeted Sinn Fein, Martin McGuinness, remembered it as the biggest handshake he has ever taken. Paul Faith, from Co Antrim, was asked to capture the image of the monarch meeting the former IRA commander inside the Lyric Theater in Belfast in 2012. The handshake between the Queen and Mr McGuinness, who was then deputy first minister of Stormont, was a highly symbolic gesture and is seen as a milestone in the journey of Northern Ireland’s peace process from conflict to reconciliation. The PA news agency was asked to photograph the meeting and Mr Faith, who was then the PA’s chief photographer in Northern Ireland, was given the high-profile assignment. 1663239314
UEFA could investigate Rangers
AFP via Getty Images UEFA has yet to decide whether to investigate Rangers’ decision to play the national anthem at Ibrox ahead of their Champions League defeat by Napoli. Contrary to the governing body’s instructions, the anthem was sung to commemorate the Queen’s death before Wednesday night’s 3-0 defeat. UEFA told the PA news agency that the action will only be considered after receiving the necessary information from the match representative. An impassioned rendition of the anthem followed a minute’s silence at Ibrox sanctioned by Uefa, who at the same time rejected requests from some clubs to play God Save The King. A huge silhouette of the Queen amidst the colors of the Union Jack could be seen behind one of the goals before the game started. 1663238946
Queue for almost four miles
The queue of people queuing to see the Queen’s coffin at Westminster is now almost four miles long. Members of the public queuing on Lambeth Bridge / PA1663238813
Who is Trudy Lynn and why was she invited to the Queen’s funeral?
Dr Lin is one of 10 additional Australians to receive an invitation. This is her story. 1663238726
Highgrove: Where the King spends a day of rest and reflection
King Charles is taking time away from public action as he prepares for his mother’s funeral. He takes a day of rest and reflection at Highgrove. Learn more about the setup, here. The Gloucestershire estate is something of a refuge for Charles / POOL/AFP via Getty Images1663238547
Mourners queuing through the night describe “peace” in Westminster Hall
The queue on the South Bank near Tower Bridge (Aaron Chown/PA) / PA wire People have traveled from all over the country and have been waiting since 1am to see the Queen lie in state. See the full article here.
