Tens of thousands of people have already filed past the coffin in a steady, solemn stream, queuing for hours in the dark and cold to pay their respects to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch – a testament to the affection in which she was held. On Saturday, authorities warned that mourners arriving could face a 24-hour wait. This number was later revised to 16 hours. The culture department said it would stop queuing at Southwark Park if demand became too high, adding at 1am local time: “Please do not travel”. Overnight, volunteers handed out blankets and cups of tea to people queuing as the temperature dropped to 6C. Later in the day, King Charles III and his son Prince William greeted people in the queue. The Queen’s death on September 8 at her summer estate in the Scottish Highlands has sparked an outpouring of emotion across the country and 10 days of highly choreographed events.
Silent watch
Having lain in the Scottish capital for 24 hours, the coffin was flown south to London, where tens of thousands of people thronged a normally busy street in rain to watch the flag-draped coffin being driven to Buckingham Palace. On Friday night, King Charles joined his three siblings – Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward – in a silent vigil at the coffin, while their eight children, including William and Harry, will form their own ritual guard later on Saturday. Like many, Sarah Boniface, a 60-year-old estate agent, was tearful and emotional as she left Westminster Hall on Friday night after standing for 14 hours, having watched the new king stand vigil as he passed the coffin. “It was worth every minute. Every minute,” she said, visibly fighting back tears. “I am so lucky to have paid my respects to the queen and seen our new king.” For retiree Hasmukh Vara, 62, his decision to stand for 13 hours to observe the lying state reflected his desire to thank the late monarch — and Britain — after moving to the country from Kenya in the 1970s. Stepping out of the huge, brightly lit room in the cool Friday darkness, next to the River Thames, he described himself as feeling “very, very high”. “We came as refugees to this country,” he told Reuters. “For the rest of my life, I’m indebted to her because she gave us a home. It’s something we can never, ever forget. It’s a big deal for me and my family.”
Nearly 100 presidents will attend the funeral
The Queen’s children have described being overwhelmed by the reaction to their mother’s death. Past members of the public record such as King Charles III, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex hold a vigil by the coffin of their mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in Westminster Hall, Palace of Westminster in London the manufacture. (Yui Mok/The Associated Press) Monday’s state funeral, which will be attended by nearly 100 presidents and heads of government, including those from Canada, the United States, France, Australia, Japan and Jamaica, is likely to be one of the largest ceremonial events ever have ever taken place in Britain. On Friday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern walked past the coffin – one of the first leaders to arrive. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney described the gathering in central London as “this huge, diverse gathering of people from all over the world.” Members of the public spend their evening queuing for Queen Elizabeth II’s stay on Friday in London. (Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images) On Saturday, King Charles will meet with the prime ministers of the other 14 countries where he is head of state. He will also meet emergency service workers who are helping to carry out the funeral. Later, the focus will turn to the younger royals and their vigil. William, heir to the throne, and his brother Harry, who have been estranged in recent years since Harry moved to the United States, will both stand guard at the casket in military uniform.
2 brothers will join their cousins
Harry served two tours of duty with the British army in Afghanistan, but has so far appeared in processions in morning dress after losing his honorary military title when he stepped down from public royal duties. The vigil will be held at the oak coffin, which stands on a purple-clad bier, draped with the Royal Standard and with the ornate imperial crown of state placed on top. The two brothers will join their cousins Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, Princess Anne’s children. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenia, the children of Prince Andreas. and Louise and James, Prince Edward’s children. Authorities said the line stopped briefly Friday night when someone tried to approach the casket on its platform. Police said a man was arrested and booked for an offense under the Public Order Act. WATCHES | Armed forces, royal family prepare for Queen’s funeral:
Armed forces, royal family prepare for Queen’s funeral
Armed forces from Commonwealth countries met members of the royal family ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday. Meanwhile, the line of mourners hoping to pay their respects before the funeral continues to grow.
