Crowd barriers and portable toilets have been put up in Westminster before ordinary Britons queue for up to 30 hours to see the Queen lying in state.
Her Majesty’s coffin is currently at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and will later be taken to nearby St Giles’ Cathedral where her family and a congregation from all walks of Scottish society will attend a service of thanksgiving for her life.
The coffin arrives in London tomorrow and will be taken to Westminster Hall near the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday.
From 5pm, members of the public can pay their respects to the late monarch for four days ahead of Her Majesty’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday.
But the queue is due to start today, with security guards, stewards and police officers already stationed along the route. Westminster Hall remains open 24 hours a day to accommodate as many people as possible.
During 1952 more than 300,000 people came to see King George VI. was laid in state at Westminster Hall – and 200,000 saw the Queen Mother’s coffin in 2002 – Whitehall chiefs are reportedly expecting a number close to a million mourners this time.
The number would rival the estimated one million mourners who flooded the capital for Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997.
Portable toilets and crowd control infrastructure such as barriers and flooring have now been installed in Victoria Tower Gardens. All details of the route will be published on Tuesday at 10 p.m.
However, the five-mile route is expected to start in Southwark Park, south of the Thames, with mourners following the river line past Parliament to Lambeth Bridge, where they turn on themselves by walking back to Westminster.
People are not allowed to camp and will be given numbered wristbands to indicate their place in the queue so they can go and come back, of course.
Crowd barriers and portable toilets have been put up in Westminster before ordinary Britons queue for up to 30 hours to see the Queen lying in state
Her Majesty’s coffin is currently at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and will later be taken to nearby St Giles’ Cathedral where her family and a congregation from all walks of Scottish society will attend a service of thanksgiving for her life. Above: Pallbearers carry the coffin from his hearse to Holyroodhouse yesterday
According to The Times, airport-style security with bag checks and metal detectors is expected in the House of Lords car park outside Parliament.
Because the line is constantly moving, well-wishers are unable to sit for more than a few seconds at a time. In addition to the portable toilets, water stations are already being set up.
Anyone with luggage will reportedly have to stop and leave their bags at a park near Lambeth Palace.
Up to 10,000 police officers will be deployed in London, with officers alert to both potential terrorism and activists such as environmental protesters.
Up to 1,500 soldiers will also be available to assist the stewards with crowd control. According to The Times, if there are too many people, the queue will be closed.
During 1952 more than 300,000 people came to see King George VI. was laid in state at Westminster Hall – and 200,000 saw the Queen Mother’s coffin in 2002 – Whitehall chiefs are reportedly expecting a number close to a million mourners this time. Above: Prince Charles attends the ‘Princes’ Vigil’ next to the Queen Mother’s coffin in 2002
In just three days, in which the coffin of King George VI. At Westminster Hall, more than 300,000 mourners turned out to pay their respects in scenes televised on the BBC
Guidelines for people’s behavior and dress were issued by the government. Mourners have been told to keep silent at the Palace of Westminster.
It urges people to “dress appropriately for the occasion to show your respect”. Clothing with “political or offensive slogans” is prohibited.
“Please respect the dignity of this event and behave appropriately. You should be silent at the Palace of Westminster.”
A source told the Chron: “It’s like trying to organize something on a similar scale to the London Olympics in a matter of days.”
Once Her Majesty’s coffin arrives in London, it will first be taken to Buckingham Palace. Tens of thousands of well-wishers will then line the streets as the coffin makes the journey to Westminster Hall.
The procession passes through The Mall, Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and Parliament Square. The ceremony will be streamed live from Hyde Park, with a spectator area opening at 11am on Wednesday.
King Charles, the Queen Consort and other members of the royal family will witness the arrival of the coffin.
Units of the Tower of London’s Sovereign’s Bodyguard, Household Division or Yeoman Warders will guard the coffin day and night.
It was carried by hearse in procession from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh yesterday. That evening King Charles and his brothers Prince Andrew and Prince Edward will form a guard of honor around the coffin at the four corners of a raised platform known as the catafalque.
At the moving tribute, known as the Prince’s Vigil, they will take the places of Guardsmen of the Royal Company of Archers for about an hour.
Each is dressed in ceremonial uniform and faces outward with their heads bowed in respect.
Charles and other senior royals carried out the tradition when the Queen Mother died.
They will do this again when the Queen arrives at the Palace of Westminster.