LONDON (AP) — Thousands of people spent the coldest night in months in London, queuing to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin. Officials warned on Saturday that arriving mourners would have to wait 16 hours for her.
A wave of people wanting to say goodbye poured into the Westminster Hall of the Houses of Parliament. There lay the Queen’s coffin, dressed in her royal standard and crowned with a diamond-encrusted crown. The number has risen steadily since the public first entered the hall on Wednesday, with lines meandering around Southwark Park and extending at least 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the hall.
King Charles III and eldest son Prince William praised their patience on Saturday as they greeted those waiting in line in front of Queen Elizabeth’s coffin. The two senior royals shook hands and thanked mourners for the miles-long procession near Lambeth Bridge.
Since Prince Charles took the throne on September 8, he has taken several impromptu walks to meet as many of his subjects as possible. People in the crowd mourned and pushed the barriers to approach the king.
Overnight, the temperature dropped to 6 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit), so volunteers handed out blankets and tea to people in line. Despite the weather, mourners described the warmth of the shared experience.
“It was cold at night, but I had great company and met new friends. The friendships were great,” said Chris Harman of London. “It was worth it. I’ve done it over and over again. I’ll walk to the ends of the earth for my Queen.”
There were myriad reasons people came here, from their love for the Queen to the desire 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 sort of thing goes against my grain,” he said. “I’m kind of drawn into it.”
Citizens were forced into Westminster Hall on Friday night, despite Queen Elizabeth’s four children (Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward) standing guard around the flag-draped coffin for 15 minutes. continued to flow quietly into the The only thing that echoes in the hall is the cry of a baby.
Ahead of the memorial service, Edward said the royal family was “overwhelmed by the wave of emotion that has overwhelmed us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their love, admiration and respect for our dear Mama. It is done.”
Later Saturday, all eight of Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren will stay up all night by her coffin. Prince Charles’ sons Prince William and Prince Harry will attend, along with Princess Anne’s children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Two children of Prince Edward – Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
William, heir to the throne after his grandmother’s death, stands at the head of the coffin and Harry at its feet. Both veteran princes are in uniform.
Most senior royals hold honorary military roles and wear uniforms in honor of the Queen. He and his wife Meghan retired from royal duties and moved to the United States in 2020.
However, the King demanded that both William and Harry wear military uniforms for the all-night vigil at Westminster Hall.
People queuing to meet the Queen are of all ages and come from a variety of occupations. Many people bowed in front of the coffin and made signs of the cross. Several veterans flashed their medals in the spotlight and gave a sharp salute. some cried. Others kissed. Many hugged away and were proud to have lined up for hours to pay their respects.
But viewing is not without problems. Police arrested a man they called a “disturber” on Friday night.
Tracy Holland told Sky News that her 7-year-old niece, Darcy Holland, was thwarted by a man who tried to “run up to the coffin, lift the standard, and I don’t know what I was going to do.” She said police detained the man in “two seconds.”
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the man was detained on suspicion of violating public order and morals.
The lying state continued until early Monday morning, when the Queen’s coffin was taken to nearby Westminster Abbey for a state funeral, marking the finale of ten days of national mourning for Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Elizabeth, aged 96, died at Balmoral House in Scotland on September 8, after 70 years on the throne.
Hundreds of heads of state, royal families and political leaders from around the world are flying to London to attend the funerals, including US President Joe Biden, Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. Prince Charles has an audience with the next prime minister, governors of the kingdoms and military leaders on Saturday.
After the monastery service, the late Queen’s coffin is taken by horse-drawn carriage to the historic center of London. She will then be driven to Windsor in her hearse and buried with her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year.
Hundreds of troops from the British Army, Air Force and Navy took part in rehearsals for the final march early Saturday morning. As the troops lined the Long Walk, the picturesque lane leading to Windsor Castle, drumming echoed as his band marched in front of the hearse.
The funeral will be the largest single police event ever handled by police, surpassing the 2012 Summer Olympics and the Platinum Jubilee, which celebrated the Queen’s 70th anniversary in June, according to London police. That’s it.
