Everything you need to know about the Queen's lying-in-state

How long will it REALLY take me to see the Queen lying in state? Will I be turned away if the queue gets too big? How long is the line right now? Everything you need to know as mourners begin to pay their respects

Essential Q&A answers all your burning questions about the late Queen’s lying-in-state period in Westminster
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Details on how the public can see the Queen’s lying-in-state period in London have been revealed, with people warned to expect long queues and be prepared to stand for ‘many hours’ through the night.

In the capital, mourners are now able to file solemnly past the coffin at Westminster Hall for 24 hours a day until 6.30am on the day of the funeral – Monday September 19 – with long queues of up to 30 hours expected.

The Government has stressed that the queue will continuously move – with little chance to rest or sit down – and has urged people to ‘dress appropriately’. Clothes ‘with political or offensive slogans’ have been banned.

Queue-jumpers and anyone drunk will be taken out of the queue by stewards and police patrolling the lines. Visitors will also face airport-style security checks, with tight restrictions on what can be taken in.

MailOnline reveals what you need to know if you’d like to see the sovereign’s coffin over the following week:

How long is the queue?

Hundreds of thousands of people are have opted to stand in line along the Thames overnight as ministers have warned their long wait could last 30 hours or more.

In a line that stretched for nearly three miles, well-wishers made their way along the bank of London’s River Thames, as hymns played across the Southbank, with many joining in song.

After the queue opened at 5pm yesterday it was already stretching some 2.5 miles, meaning a wait of around 12 hours.

The queue to view the Queen’s lying in state has extended since overnight, now stretching between Southwark Bridge and London Bridge.

By Thursday morning, it was approximately 2.8 miles long, and had not stretched beyond 3 miles since Tuesday, the day before the lying-in-state officially opened. The queue itself is moving at around 0.5 miles per hour.

The queue to view the Queen’s lying in state in Westminster has extended overnight, now stretching between Southwark Bridge and London Bridge as per the DMCS’s latest live tracking update

The Department for Media, Culture and Sport has set up a helpful livestream allowing visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the Queen’s coffin to see exactly where they need to head to

Can I be turned away if the queue gets too long?

Yes, as officials expect a maximum of 330,000 people will file past Her Majesty’s coffin over the next four days. With up to one million mourners expected in the capital, some are likely to, unfortunately, be forced to miss out.

The Government’s official guidance previously said: ‘The queue is expected to be very long. You will need to stand for many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down, as the queue will keep moving.’

It also noted that the queue ‘may close early to ensure as many visitors as possible can enter the Palace’.

Officials expect a maximum of 330,000 people will file past Her Majesty’s coffin over the next four days. With up to one million mourners expected in the capital, some are likely to, unfortunately, be forced to miss out

Where do I join – and can I check the length of the queue beforehand?

Yes, the Department for Media, Culture and Sport has set up a helpful livestream allowing visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the Queen’s coffin to see exactly where they need to head to.

A geolocating website, what3words.com, is also being used with the DMCS updating the keywords whenever the queue’s location changes. Simply head to their website and type in the three words the department has shared to find the exact location of the queue.

Some technical difficulties have already been experienced, however, as on Thursday morning the original YouTube stream was taken offline.

More details on where to join the back of the queue can be found by accessing the livestream on the Government’s official tracking channel: www.youtube.com/user/dcms

On Thursday morning the Department for Media, Culture and Sport’s livestream of the queue crashed due to the number of people trying to access it

Will there be security checks and do I need a wristband?

Security checks will be taking place throughout the line, and visitors will be going through airport-style security with numerous restrictions on permitted items.

Members of the public who are in the queue are asked to remain vigilant to security threats and report these to security staff or the police as soon as possible. Officers may conduct security searches along parts of the queue.

Mourners hoping to pay their respects will be also issued with a numbered wristband to ensure entry to Westminster Hall.

Security checks will be taking place throughout the line, and visitors will be going through airport-style security with numerous restrictions on permitted items. Mourners hoping to pay their respects will be also issued with a numbered wristband to ensure entry to Westminster Hall

What will I be able to see?

People will be able to file past the Queen’s catafalque, which is the framework around the coffin. Her oak coffin has been draped in the rich colours of the Royal Standard, with the dazzling Imperial State Crown lying atop alongside the Orb and Sceptre.

The sovereign’s catafalque will be protected by ceremonial guards throughout the period of lying-in-state. These units include the Gentlemen at Arms and the Yeomen of the Guard.

Their 24-hour watch will be broken down into four six-hour shifts, with guards rotating around the vigil every 20 minutes.

When did the lying-in-state period begin?

Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State at the Palace of Westminster opened to the public at 5pm on Wednesday 14 September.

Mourners will be able to pay their respects to the late monarch’s coffin for 24 hours a day at Westminster Hall, with queues along Lambeth Bridge and Albert Embankment continuing to grow throughout the night.

Westminster Hall will be open 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on the bank holiday on Monday. The queue may close early to ensure as many visitors in the queue as possible can enter the Palace before the lying-in-state period comes to an end.

Can I attend if I’m in a wheelchair?

Yes. Step-free and accessible options are available for those who need them.

Those with pre-existing medical conditions were also advised to check the length of the queue beforehand and plan accordingly.

British Sign Language interpreters will be also be available to people joining the queue.

Transport for London’s turn-up-and-go services will be available for passengers requiring extra assistance, including the visually impaired, those with mobility issues and large groups travelling together.

Boarding ramps, helping to move between stations, and alternative step-free routes will be offered. The turn-up-and-go service is available on London Underground and Overground services, as well as most Elizabeth Line stations. There is no requirement to pre-book this service.

What should I bring?

A poncho or umbrella, a portable phone charger and a book. Don’t bring: Folding chairs, large bags, food, drink, flowers, placards, flags – or Paddington Bears.

Other entertainment options are already in place. Under Waterloo Bridge, the British Film Institute has set up a big screen showing clips from documentaries about the Queen’s life to those waiting in the queue.

Women don their waterproof ponchos while sitting in plastic chairs as they wait to see the Queen’s coffin at Westminster Hall

Are any items banned?

Bags larger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm in size are among the prohibited items, as are flasks or water bottles, pets – except guide and hearing dogs – and flares, fireworks, air horns and sharp objects.

Banners, placards, flags, advertising or marketing messages, and other similar items that could be used to cause a disturbance are also not permitted.

Those bringing flowers, candles, soft toys, photographs or other tribute items will also be asked to hand these into security checkpoints.

Camping chairs and equipment are also not allowed as the queue is constantly creeping forward. Confiscated items will not be returned once you exit Westminster Hall.

If you leave bags or other items unattended they will be removed and may be destroyed.

This graphic issued by the UK Government today shows what items will be banned at Westminster Hall in London

Will there be somewhere to store larger bags?

A bag drop facility is available but capacity is limited, and there is no guarantee that there will be space at the facility.

Waiting for bag storage space to become available will increase your queuing time, according to the advice.

Can I bring food and drink, and will there be somewhere to grab a bite to eat on the route?

Food, snacks and refreshments are all welcome to be consumed as mourners wait in the queue, but they will not be permitted inside Westminster Hall. Lighting barbecues will not be permitted.

There are also selected places where members of the public can purchase the essentials along the route. Food can be bought at snack stops. Local organisations will open for longer to provide comfort breaks and refreshment.

But mourners are being reminded that everything must be disposed of before entering the Palace.

Alcohol will be allowed on the route, but police officers and stewards will be on hand to deal with those consuming excessive amounts or displaying drunken or disorderly behaviour.

What about toilets and refreshments?

There are approximately 500 portable toilets and water stations available to members of the public who will be waiting in line over the following four days.

Around 1,000 volunteers will be on hand to help guide those waiting to available facilities, although they have warned you will need to expect long queues within the queue to access portaloos.

St John Ambulance service will be operating stations along the route to provide first aid if required, and emotional and welfare support from the Samaritans, Salvation Army and Red Cross will also be available.

Lambeth Palace will also be arranging a street pastor multi-faith service.

What about children?

All ages are welcome, but parents have been reminded of the rigours of the ever-growing queue.

The Government has asked people to think carefully about whether to take youngsters with them. ‘Please consider this before you decide to attend or bring children with you,’ it added.

The Government has asked people to think carefully about whether to take youngsters with them. ‘Please consider this before you decide to attend or bring children with you,’ it added

Is there a fast-track?

There is an ‘accessible queue’ for those with disabilities or anyone struggling to cope. And MPs and ministers have already faced criticism after it emerged they are able to skip to the front, along with four guests.

While hundreds of thousands of people are having to stand in line for up to 30 hours along the Thames, MPs and peers are able to walk in to the lying-in-state.

They only have to show their Parliamentary security passes to gain immediate entry to Westminster Hall, where the late monarch’s coffin is resting until her state funeral on Monday.

Last night their special treatment was condemned by some of the thousands waiting in line for their brief chance to pay their respects.

A police source last night told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s disappointing but not surprising that MPs are able to jump the queue while the thousands of police officers working 12-hour days with cancelled holidays won’t get any opportunities to say goodbye.’

There was also anger among MPs’ staff that they are not being given priority access, unlike their employers and Commons officials. Parliamentary staff can show their passes to enter and can apply for one guest ticket each.

Former Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday

What are the rules in Westminster Hall?

Photography and recording is strictly prohibited inside and there will also be restrictions on mobile phone use.

Mourners will be expected to ‘respect the dignity of the event and behave appropriately’. That includes remaining silent while paying your respects inside the Palace. Clothes with ‘political or offensive slogans’ are also banned.

They were also warned that stewards and police officers will be patrolling along the route of the queue, and removing anyone displaying anti-social or inappropriate behaviour – including queue-jumping.

Is there an easier way to see the coffin?

Yes. The BBC is providing a dedicated live stream online, on iPlayer and BBC Parliament right up until the Queen’s state funeral on Monday, September 19.

What exactly is meant by the term ‘lying in state’?

Lying in state is usually reserved for sovereigns, current or past queen consorts, and sometimes former prime ministers.

During the formal occasion, the closed coffin is placed on view, as thousands of people queue to file past and pay their respects.

Where does the tradition originate?

The tradition of lying in state stretches back to the 17th century when Stuart sovereigns lay in state for a number of days.

Edward VII set the modern tradition of royal lying in state in Westminster Hall. He lay in state in 1910, as did King George V in 1936 and King George VI in 1952.

George VI – the Queen’s father – was the last sovereign before Elizabeth II to die.

King George VI lying in state at Westminster Hall in London on February 11, 1952

Who else lay in state in Westminster Hall?

Two prime ministers – William Gladstone in 1898 and Sir Winston Churchill in 1965 – also lay in state at Westminster Hall, attracting hundreds of thousands of people.

In 1930, there was an unusual lying in state in Westminster Hall for the victims of the R101 Airship disaster.

The experimental rigid British airship caught fire as it crossed northern France, killing 48 of the 54 people on board.

Did the Duke of Edinburgh lie in state?

No, he did not, and this was in accordance with his wishes, but his death took place during the Covid-19 crisis and at that point such mass gatherings were also against the law.

Who was the last person to lie in state?

The last person to lie in state in the UK was the Queen Mother in 2002.

On top of her coffin in Westminster Hall was her coronation crown, set with the Koh-i-Noor diamond, and a hand-written message from her daughter, the Queen, reading: ‘In loving memory, Lilibet’.

An estimated 200,000 people turned out to pay their respects over three days.

People file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in Westminster Hall in London on April 8, 2002

Was there anything unusual about that occasion in 2002?

It was the first lying in state where members of the public were subjected to a security check, which slowed the movement of the mourners.

At their longest, queues stretched across Lambeth Bridge and all the way along the South Bank to Southwark Cathedral, with people being warned to expect a wait of up to 12 hours at peak times.

Police were drafted in to deal with the security, large crowds and road closures.

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