LONDON — The queue to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin can be one of the longest you’ve ever seen in London.
The line crosses the nearby Lambeth Bridge from the Houses of Parliament and runs along the opposite bank of the Thames.
Authorities plan a 10-mile (16-kilometer) route, with 1,000 marshals, stewards, and police officers helping to manage it at all times. Other volunteer armies include multifaith pastors and sign language interpreters.
People have been warned they may have to wait for hours, but are given numbered wristbands so they can take food and bathroom breaks without losing their place in line. I’m here.
Upon arrival at the Houses of Parliament, mourners must go through airport-like security checks. Prohibited items include liquids, spray paint, knives, fireworks, flowers, candles, stuffed animals, and “advertising or marketing messages.”
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— London’s diaspora district remembers the Queen — vaguely
— What to Know About the Queen’s Lying State
— Renewed interest in British memorabilia in Hong Kong
— Part of the Queen: A new memento commemorating the death of a monarch
— Rage and indifference to the past meet Queen’s death in India
— Former British colonies are at odds over Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy.
— Learn more about AP here: https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii
Other developments:
LONDON — Lines formed along the banks of the River Thames in anticipation of Queen Elizabeth II laying in the states, despite officials warning that wait times could be up to 30 hours. I’m here.
From 5pm (1600 GMT) on Wednesday at Westminster Hall, the public will be able to pay their respects to the deceased monarch after her casket-carrying procession from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament .
Officials said the line could start near Lambeth Bridge and eventually extend several miles (kilometers) to Southwark Park in southeast London.
Some were enthusiastic and waited early.
Vanessa Nathakumaran was first in line after showing up at 11:30 am on Monday.
“It’s going to be an emotional one. My main goal when you go there is to show respect,” she said.
Chris Imafidone came in sixth, saying, “I feel 1,001 emotions when I look at her. God, I want to say she was an angel because she touched so many good people and did so many good things.” .”
LONDON — Horses, troops and military bands rehearsed in full dress before dawn for the procession to carry Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament.
Participating horses have received special training for Wednesday afternoon’s event, including how to handle mourners and how to handle flowers and flags being thrown into the procession, officials said. It says.
Sergeant Tom Jenks, who led the artillery carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin, said, “They were subjected to loud noises, crowds, flags, flowers, people weeping, and lots of drumming and aggressive noise. increase.
Among the horses is Cassius, an 18-year-old who attended the funeral of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 2013.
On Wednesday afternoon, King Charles III and other royals walk behind the Queen’s coffin to Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament. The Queen’s coffin will remain there for four days for people to pay their respects.
LONDON — Crowds gather in London as they prepare for a solemn procession to carry Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament.
There, the deceased monarch will lie stateside for four days before his funeral next Monday.
Large crowds are expected for Wednesday’s gloomy afternoon march, and long lines are expected to see the coffin at Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament.
People are standing behind metal fences or sitting in folding chairs. Under gray skies hours before the coffin was scheduled to leave the monarch’s official residence in London, they have umbrellas at the ready and take-out coffee in hand.
The coffin is loaded into a horse-drawn carriage past a crowd of mourners, followed by the Queen’s son and heir to the throne, Charles III, and other royals.
The Queen died in Scotland last Thursday at the age of 96, ending her 70-year reign.
Crowds line the aisle whenever the Queen’s coffin moves from Scotland to London on its way back.
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