Thousands of people spent London’s coldest night in months queuing to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin, and authorities warned on Saturday that mourners who arrived faced a 16-hour wait. A tide of people wanting to say goodbye ran into Parliament’s Westminster Hall, where the Queen’s coffin lies, draped in her Royal Standard and topped with a diamond-studded crown. Numbers have grown steadily since the public were first admitted to the hall on Wednesday, with a queue snaking around Southwark Park, stretching at least 5 miles (8km) from the hall. In honor of their patience, King Charles III and his eldest son, Prince William, made an unannounced visit on Saturday to greet people waiting to stand by Elizabeth’s coffin. The two senior royals shook hands and thanked mourners in the mile-long line near Lambeth Bridge. Charles has been on a number of impromptu tours since becoming king on September 8 in a bid to meet as many of his subjects as possible. People in the crowd offered their condolences and pushed through the barriers to approach the king. Overnight, volunteers handed out blankets and cups of tea to people queuing as the temperature dropped to 6 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit). Despite the weather, mourners described the warmth of a shared experience. “It was cold all night but we had great mates, met new friends. The camaraderie was great,” said Chris Harman from London. “It was worth it. I would do it again and again and again. I would walk to the ends of the earth for my queen.” People had a myriad of reasons for coming, from affection for the Queen to wanting to be part of a historic moment. Simon Hopkins, who traveled from his home in central England, likened it to a “pilgrimage”. “(It’s) a little weird, because that kind of goes against my grain,” he said. “I’m kind of drawn into it.” On Friday night, members of the public continued to run silently through Westminster Hall, even as the Queen’s four children — Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — stood vigil around the clad coffin flag for 15 minutes. A baby’s cry was the only sound in the hall. Before the vigil, Edward said the royal family was “overwhelmed by the tide of emotion that has washed over us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect (for) the beloved us mom “ Later on Saturday, all eight of Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren are to hold a vigil by her coffin. Charles’ sons Prince William and Prince Harry will attend, along with Princess Anne’s children Zara Tyndall and Peter Phillips. Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenia. and Prince Edward’s two children — Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn. William, who after the death of his grandmother is now heir to the throne, will stand at the head of the coffin and Harry at the feet. Both princes, who are military veterans, will be in uniform. Most senior members of the royal family have honorary military roles and have worn uniforms to honor the Queen. Harry, who served in Afghanistan as a British Army officer, wore civilian clothes during the Queen’s casket procession from Buckingham Palace because he is no longer a member of the royal family. He and his wife Meghan stepped down from royal duties and moved to the United States in 2020. The king, however, has requested that both William and Harry wear their military uniforms to the Westminster Hall vigil. People queuing to see the Queen were of all ages and from all walks of life. Many prostrated before the coffin or made the sign of the cross. Several veterans, their medals gleaming in the spotlight, offered sharp salutes. Some were in tears. Others blew kisses. Many hugged each other as they walked away, proud to have spent hours in line to pay their respects, even if it only lasted a few moments. But the screening was not without incidents. Police arrested a man after what they called a “disturbance” on Friday night. Parliamentary authorities said someone got out of the queue and tried to approach the casket. Tracey Holland told Sky News that her 7-year-old niece Darcy Holland was pushed from the waist by a man who tried to “run up to the coffin, pick up the standard and try to do I don’t know what”. He said police arrested the man in “two seconds”. The Metropolitan Police said a man had been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. The lie-in continues until early Monday morning, when the Queen’s coffin will be taken to nearby Westminster Abbey for a state funeral, the finale of 10 days of national mourning for Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Elizabeth, 96, died at her Balmoral estate in Scotland on September 8 after 70 years on the throne. Hundreds of heads of state, royals and political leaders from around the world are flying to London to attend the funeral, including US President Joe Biden and Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. Charles has audiences on Saturday with incoming prime ministers, the kingdoms’ generals and military leaders. Following the service at the abbey, the late Queen’s coffin will be carried through the historic heart of London in a gun carriage. It will then be taken by hearse to Windsor, where the Queen will be buried alongside her late husband Prince Philip, who died last year. Hundreds of soldiers from the British army, air force and navy took part in an early Saturday morning rehearsal for the final procession. As the troops lined The Long Walk, a scenic path leading to Windsor Castle, the beat of drums echoed as bands marched in front of a hearse. London police say the funeral will be the biggest single police event the force has ever taken on, surpassing even the 2012 Summer Olympics and June’s Platinum Jubilee which celebrates 70 years of the Queen’s reign.
