LONDON –
Tens of thousands of people lined the banks of the River Thames in London, waiting to enter Westminster Hall and pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen has been lying in Westminster Hall since Wednesday at 5 p.m. BST and will remain there until her funeral on Monday.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners are expected to turn out by then, to pay their respects to Britain’s longest-serving monarch.
The lie in the state is open to the public 24 hours a day, with police telling CTV News they expect at least 3,000 people to walk past the coffin every hour, with the line possibly stretching extend up to 16 kilometers.
Mourners have been warned they could wait 30 hours or more in line, possibly overnight. A queue tracker monitoring line length has been set up online by the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
At 12:00 BST, the queue was more than 6 kilometers long, stretching all the way to Tower Bridge, according to the tracker.
The queue route starts at Albert Embankment, runs along Belvedere Road behind the London Eye and on the South Bank, following the River Thames past the National Theatre, Tate Modern and HMS Belfast to Southwark Park , before crossing Lambeth Bridge and winding around the back of the Palace of Westminster.
Once inside, after clearing airport-style security, people move at a quiet, steady pace in two lines past the coffin, which sits in the center of Westminster Hall.
Mourners can pause briefly in front of the coffin to bow their heads or make a curtsy – those who were able to pay their respects on Wednesday night told CTV News they said a prayer in front of the coffin, others a simple “thank you” to the queen.
Many who entered the hall had tears in their eyes as they reached the coffin.
During the lay-up, the Queen’s coffin sits on a raised platform in the middle of Westminster Hall, each corner guarded by members of the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, Foot Guards or the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
Former British Army member John Stokes told CTV News he camped overnight Wednesday to be among the first to pay his respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
“She served for 70 years, and I think I would be a very superficial person if I didn’t give a day of my life in her memory,” he said.
WHAT TO KNOW WHEN WAITING IN THE QUEUE
By joining the queue, people will receive a colored and numbered bracelet. The bracelet allows them to leave the line for a short time without losing their place.
Food and drink cannot be taken inside Westminster Hall and must be consumed in the queue or discarded before entering security.
Nearby cafes and buildings such as the Southbank Centre, National Theater and Shakespeare’s Globe are open for long hours during the rest period to sell food and drink, as well as to provide “comfort breaks” .
St. John Ambulance will be stationed along the route to provide first aid, if needed.
Those joining the queue were asked to bring power banks to charge their phones, umbrellas, sunscreen, snacks and any medication they need. Mourners are also advised to dress in clothing that is both weather-appropriate and respectful.
Photography and filming are not permitted inside Westminster Hall, and phones must be on silent once inside.
Mourners are also not allowed to bring any items that may be disturbing, such as flags, banners or fireworks. Tributes to the Queen, including flowers, candles, soft toys and cards, are also prohibited and must be left in the dedicated floral tribute area in Green Park, outside Buckingham Palace.
Along the queue, the British Film Institute has installed an outdoor screen showing archival footage from the Queen’s reign.
For those not attending the ceremony, an official book of condolences is available online for people to add personal messages.
Canadians are encouraged to sign and view a book of condolences online on the Government of Canada website.
The in-state lie ends at 6:30 a.m. on Monday. The UK government has said it will work to ensure ‘as many visitors as possible’ can enter Westminster Hall before the lockdown period ends.
Any decision to close the queue will be communicated through the UK Government’s social media channels.