Thousands of people waited in line overnight to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, who was laid to rest in a state funeral in London.
The state funeral for Britain’s longest-serving monarch, who died aged 96 after 70 years on the throne, will be held on Monday.
After waiting in all weathers for more than 48 hours, the first public mourners were allowed into the mediaeval hall on Wednesday after the coffin left Buckingham Palace for the final time.
Thursday is the first full day of Queen Elizabeth II’s lying-in-state, a last chance to say a personal farewell to a much-loved monarch admired around the world for her steadfast sense of duty.
The Imperial State Crown, along with the Orb and Sceptre, was draped in the Royal Standard flag and raised high on a platform.
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The coffin was guarded by soldiers in uniform.
The coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth II rests in Westminster Hall for the lying in state, in London, Sept. 14, 2022. (Dan Kitwood/Pool via AP)
‘At peace’
Many people stopped and bowed their heads towards the coffin. Others either crossed themselves or took their hats off.
Some wiped away tears with tissues while praying towards the casket. Some people brought their infants. The old soldiers gave a last salute to their former commander-in-chief.
Sue Harvey, an accountant, was among those who filed past the coffin.
It was quiet, calm and emotional inside. A lot of people were crying but there was no noise. She told Agence France-Presse it was just so respectful.
I didn’t meet her when she was alive, so I wanted to make sure I saw her no matter how long the line was.
The clinical paramedic specialist, who took the day off, was in tears after leaving the hall.
The guards were watching her one last time. She said it was lovely. She was at peace at that time.
A 40-year-old performer wanted to say thank you for Elizabeth’s life of unswerving service to the nation
You can’t escape who she was in this place. She said she was not the only one that got emotional.
‘This is what we do’
The line snaked back for nearly three miles along the river bank as mourners waited for the chance to see the monarch.
Adam Armendariz, a sales manager from London, was in the back of the line with his colleagues.
He said that she gave so much to the world. It is the minimum that we can do to queue for a while to see her rest.
The guard is changed while members of the public pay their respects as they pass the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it Lies in State inside Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster in London on September 14, 2022. (Ben Stansall / POOL / AFP)
Jacob Lovewell only had a bottle of water with him.
He said that queue is what we do in Britain. The end of an era and the beginning of a new one is what it means.
I have never met the queen, but I will say thank you and goodbye.
Solemn procession
The coffin was taken from Buckingham Palace to the Hall.
King Charles III led the royal family in a procession in front of a gun carriage carrying the casket.
King Charles, Queen Elizabeth’s oldest son, and his siblings, Princes William and Harry, walked at a carefully choreographed 75 steps behind the gun carriage.
The sight of the new king’s two sons inevitably evoked memories of 1997, when William and Harry were just 15 and 12 years old, and walked behind their mother’s coffin.
The Big Ben bell tolled from the Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament as the casket passed in front of hushed crowds.
People sitting in Hyde Park, London, watch screens broadcasting the procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, Sept. 14, 2022. (Andreea Alexandru/AP)
The grand procession through the flag-lined heart of London is the latest step in 11 days of national mourning that will conclude with the funeral.
Visits to Sandringham, Manchester
William and his wife Kate will travel to the royals’ private winter retreat in Norfolk, eastern England, on Thursday to view the floral tributes left by members of the public at theNorwich Gates.
On Christmas Day, members of the royal family walk to the local church to interact with well-wishers.
On his first full day as monarch, King Charles gave the title of Prince of Wales to his oldest son, who was born in 1958.
The heir to the throne is given the historic title.
The first engagement conducted by the new Prince and Princess of Wales will be this one.
Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth, and his wife were to visit Manchester to view the civic book ofCondolence at the central library.
They were going to see the floral tribute in St. Ann’s Square and meet members of the public who are volunteering.
The Manchester Arena bombing led to a sea of flowers in the square.
They were going to light a candle in memory of Queen Elizabeth.
Prince William, second left, Prince Harry, fourth left, King Charles III, center, and Princess Anne follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, London, September 14, 2022. (Jeff J Mitchell/Pool via AP)
Hundreds of world leaders and global royalty will attend the funeral of the late monarch.
The leaders of the US, France, and Japan have confirmed that they will attend.
Israel’s President will be there as well.