LONDON —
Tens of thousands of people lined up to view the coffin of Britain’s late Queen Elizabeth II as she lay in state for her funeral.
Her body was taken in a solemn procession from Buckingham Palace, where it had spent the night after being transported to England from Scotland. The gun carriage that carried the bodies of her mother and father was the same one that carried the coffin decorated with the imperial state crown and royal standard.
King Charles III was joined by his sons, William and Harry, and his siblings, Anne, Andrew, and Edward.
Tens of thousands of people watched from the roadside to catch a final glimpse of the monarch, offer a last goodbye, and witness an extraordinary piece of history unfolding. Most watched with no sound. People threw flowers. Some people cried quietly.
After the procession passed, Silver Klajnscek spoke to VOA.
I don’t know a better way to put it, but there’s a lot of respect in this country. She said that it was an honor to be part of it.
The capital was filled with gun salutes. Thousands more people watched the procession on big screens in London.
After leaving Buckingham Palace, the procession arrived in London in 38 minutes. It is a journey the queen had made many times before, stretching back to the time of the government of the British monarch.
Her coffin was carried into the hall by guardsmen from the 1st battalion Coldstream Guards. The queen was in charge.
There were prayers read at the service by the Dean of Westminster. Catherine, Princess of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, and the Queen’s consort, the Prince, were in attendance for the historic event.
The doors of the great hall were open for the public to mourn the queen after the service.
A long line of people had formed outside. There could be a wait of up to 27 hours.
I haven’t slept at all. I’m just using the energy that’s within. I am very happy and calm. Stephen Holdgate said that he was happy to be able to show his respects to the queen.
She has been with me my whole life. Neil Martin told VOA that she was like a grandma.
Stevenson waited in line with her baby
Stevenson said it was one of those rare occasions. It is important for us to make this occasion because my little one was born a Jubilee baby, and it is a huge part of history.
The building that was constructed in 1097 was called Westminster Hall. The trials of King Henry VIII in 1509 and Guy Fawkes in 1606 were held there. The hall is playing a historic role for the next four days.
In the Scottish Highlands, where Charles became king, Elizabeth died.
A lot of world leaders are expected to attend the funeral of the queen. The committal service for the queen’s husband, Prince Philip, will take place in Windsor in the spring of 2021.
The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse provided the information in this report.
Her coffin was carried into the hall by guardsmen from the 1st battalion Coldstream Guards. The queen was in charge.