LIVE updates as Queen's coffin lies in state at Westminster Hall
The Queen's coffin was today moved from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster
Hundreds of thousands of people will queue up for hours upon hours to pay their respects to the late monarch ahead of her funeral on Monday. The lying in state began after the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall this afternoon.
Manchester Evening News reporter Stephen Topping was in the queue this morning and paid his respects alongside other mourners shortly after 5pm when the hall opened to the public.
The coffin was placed in Westminster Hall after the King and senior members of the royal family walked behind it as it left Buckingham Palace for the last time just after 2pm this afternoon.
Read more: How the Queen's funeral is hitting Greater Manchester's under-strain pubs and restaurants
Mourners queue in Whitehall(Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)
Thousands of mourners flocked to see the moving sight of the Queen departing the official residence where she spent so much of her working life at the heart of the nation, with viewing areas declared full ahead of the procession starting.
The new monarch, King Charles III, walked in line with the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex.
Behind the King were the Queen’s grandsons in a line – Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales – who were followed by the late monarch’s son-in-law Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of Gloucester, the Queen’s cousin, and her nephew the Earl of Snowdown.
We'll have live updates from the queue and the procession today in our blog, which will load below.
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Rose Smith, 60, from East Sussex left, had brought a coat and a waterproof jacket as she queued to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall.
Mrs Smith said: “She bought the whole country together, especially her last jubilee it was just so nice to have that atmosphere, it felt like the country needed it. Everyone just pulled together at a time that was needed after Covid.”
When asked how long she was prepared to queue for, she said: “As long as it takes, 30 hours, 40 hours, it will take as long as it takes.”
Mrs Smith is preparing to camp on the Mall to secure a good spot to see the funeral on Monday, adding: “It’s going to be very emotional, but (we) just need to be there and I will be up here for the coronation as well.”
Roger Bennett, 70, from Crewe, said he joined the queue at around noon with his brother and they waited seven hours to get into the hall to pay their respects.
Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: “You get to go up some steps to what is in effect a balcony and watch the guards change because they change every 20 minutes.
“It was beautifully laid out inside, there were a number of ushers in uniform to make sure everyone was respectful. I have a great affection for Queen Elizabeth who has been on the throne for as long as I have been alive.”
On what the atmosphere was like, he said: “I was very moved, it was a very solemn occasion, everyone was very quiet and silent.
“I bowed my head when I was opposite the catafalque and again when I left the hall immediately after.”
He said he was “very emotional and was ready to cry” but being “extremely” British, he did not.
Penny Purnell, aged over 65, from Little Hampton, said seeing the Queen lying in state drove home that she “really has gone”.
Ms Purnell and her friend Jill Scudamore, also aged over 65, joined the queue at about 11am and waited six hours to pay their respects.
Ms Purnell told the PA news agency described the “grandeur” of the hall and the atmosphere as “very moving”.
On seeing the coffin and whether they said a silent farewell message to the late monarch, she said she realised the Queen “really has gone”, adding: “That was quite hard to take.
“It was just the thoughts in our head if appreciating her really. I didn’t really want to say goodbye, so I didn’t.”
Ms Scudamore said: “If anyone is willing to take the time to join the queue it is well worth the wait.”
People queue to view the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it lies on the catafalque in Westminster Hall(Image: Alkis Konstantinidis/PA Wire)
Some mourners entering Westminster Hall to pay their respects to the Queen were treated to the spectacle of the regular Changing of the Guard. At 5.40pm, the flow of people was stopped as ten guards slowly marched down the narrow steps in the far corner of the cavernous chamber.
Their heavily-booted footsteps rang out as they approached the coffin between the two carpeted lanes for the public. The formation split up in the middle before they climbed the steps of the scarlet catafalque, the gold on their uniforms glistening under the lights from the chandeliers.
Once the previous guards departed the same way, well-wishers were again allowed to file past.
Report Stephen Topping has just left Westminster Hall after seeing the Queen lying in state. After joining the queue at 9.30am this morning, he filed past the coffin shortly before 6pm.
"Ten guards stood around her coffin impeccably still. Mourners filed past on either side of her coffin, bowing and curtseying as they passed," he says. "As people leave the Palace of Westminster, there’s a scrum of journalists from around the world asking mourners what it was like inside. People left the palace full of emotion, a few in tears."
All eyes were on Prince Harry and Prince William today as the royal brothers reunited to walk behind their grandmother's coffin on its way to Westminster Hall ahead of the Queen's funeral next week.
The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex appeared solemn as they walked behind the coffin in a procession led by the King this afternoon. With Harry now living with his wife Meghan in the United States, and William with his wife Kate at Windsor, it was a rare moment for the brothers, who are now rarely seen together.
In recent days, the pair have formed a united front to grieve for their grandmother the Queen, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 96. But a rift between the brothers has been well-documented in recent years, and the pair have seemingly grown apart.
Growing up together, William and Harry were much closer. The princes were just 15 and 12 when their mother was tragically killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997. Harry said of William when he turned 21: “Ever since our mother died, obviously we were close, but he is the one person on this earth who I can actually really… we can talk about anything.” But since then, their once close relationship appears to have cracked.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior working royals in March 2020 and now live in Montecito in California with their two children, Archie and Lilibet. After leaving their family and their life in the UK behind, the couple went on to accuse the royal family of racism in a primetime Oprah Winfrey television interview. William was said to be furious that private family matters were brought into the public domain.
Prince William and Prince Harry arrive for the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales(Image: Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre(Image: PA )
The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall(Image: PA )
The queue to see the Queen’s coffin lying in state at Westminster Hall officially opened at 5pm today. The first people to see the Queen's coffin have now filed through the hall to pay their respects.
Our reporter Stephen Topping joined the queue this morning just after 9am. Around half an hour ago, he was preparing to go through security. He's not allowed to take any more photos or videos until he's out the other side.
Joe Biden expressed his condolences to the King and shared the “great admiration of the American people” for the Queen during a call on Wednesday. The US president recalled the “kindness and hospitality” shown by the Queen, including when she hosted him and first lady Jill Biden, and said he wishes to continue a “close relationship” with the monarchy.
Charles and Mr Biden held a call ahead of the King marching behind his mother’s coffin before the lying in state in Westminster Hall. In a statement, the White House said the president spoke to Charles to “offer his condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II”.
The statement said:
“The president recalled fondly the Queen’s kindness and hospitality, including when she hosted him and the First Lady at Windsor Castle last June. “He also conveyed the great admiration of the American people for the Queen, whose dignity and constancy deepened the enduring friendship and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.“President Biden conveyed his wish to continue a close relationship with the King.”
The Princess of Wales was wearing the Diamond and Pearl Leaf Brooch which belonged to the Queen.
Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales pay their respects in The Palace of Westminster(Image: Getty )
During the service, the senior royals stood in formation facing the coffin on its purple-covered catafalque, which was flanked with a tall, yellow flickering candle at each corner of the wide scarlet platform.
The King and Queen Consort stood together a metre or so apart, with the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence behind them, then the Duke of York alone, and in the next row the Earl and Countess of Wessex. Behind them were the Prince and Princess of Wales, with the Duke of Sussex behind William, and the Duchess of Sussex directly behind Kate.
Cries of “God save the King” could be heard as the King and the Queen Consort left Westminster Hall. Royal couples left the building side by side, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex holding hands.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, left, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex watch the coffin of Queen Elizabeth arrive in Westminster Hall(Image: Getty )
(Left to right) Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex, the Prince of Wales, the Earl of Wessex, the Earl of Snowdon, the Duchess of Sussex, the Princess Royal, King Charles III, the Duke of York, the Princess of Wales and the Countess of Wessex follow the bearer party carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into Westminster Hall(Image: PA )
NMA POOL - Westminster Hall , HM Queen Elizabeth II lays in state , after she died on 8 Sept 2022 at Balmoral Scotland.a short service as held when the coffin arrived in the hall(Image: Daily Mirror )
The Queen’s coffin entered Westminster Hall as the choir of Westminster Abbey and the choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, sang Psalm 139.
The Archbishop of Canterbury then read the opening prayer, which the King appeared to follow through an order of service.
The King and the senior royals saluted the coffin as it was carried by a bearer party – eight soldiers from Queen’s Company 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards – into the Hall.
Lined up to watch were the Queen’s elderly cousins Prince Michael of Kent and the Duke of Kent. Next to the Duke of Kent was the Duchess of Sussex, the Countess of Wessex, the Princess of Wales and then the Queen Consort.
Dozens of wider members of the royal family stood in two rows at the side of Westminster Hall, including Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and their husbands, Zara and Mike Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor Viscount Severn, Lord Freddie Windsor and Princess Michael of Kent.
Meghan appeared to take a deep breath as the Queen’s coffin passed in front of her.
The Queen’s coffin has arrived at the Palace of Westminster. The coffin was brought into the estate via the Carriage Gates entrance and passed through New Palace Yard, which features at its centre a fountain to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.
The coffin has now been placed on the catafalque in Westminster Hall to lie in state until Monday morning.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried into Westminster Hall(Image: Getty )
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown placed on top(Image: PA )
The Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Sussex and the Countess of Wessex departed Buckingham Palace by car for Westminster. They travelled in a cortege with police escort vehicles past the Grand Entrance at around 2.45pm.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are driven in a car during the procession(Image: Getty )
A number of people could be seen wiping away tears as the Queen’s coffin made its way down The Mall. Members of the public held up their phones to film and take pictures, with some people standing on their tip-toes to catch a glimpse of the procession.
Members of the public stretch to take photos as the procession passes(Image: PA )
Mourners line the streets during the procession(Image: Getty )
Crowds await the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II(Image: Getty )
Big Ben is tolling at one-minute intervals as the procession makes its way to the Palace of Westminster.
(L-R) King Charles III, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex walk behind the gun carriage bearing the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II(Image: Getty )
The procession makes its way along The Mall. There are 10 pallbearers, found from service equerries to the Queen.
A wreath made of pine from the gardens at Balmoral and lavender from the grounds of Windsor adorns the coffin.
The Queen’s funeral cortege makes its way along The Mall from Buckingham Palace(Image: Getty )
The coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth II makes its way along The Mall(Image: Getty )
King Charles III, Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex walk behind the coffin during the procession(Image: Getty )
The Queen’s funeral cortege makes its way along The Mall(Image: Getty )
Silence has fallen among the thousands-strong crowd watching the procession. A muffled drum draped in black is being beaten at 75 paces per minute.
The coffin has been draped in the Royal Standard, with the Imperial State Crown on a velvet cushion with a wreath of flowers atop. It is being carried on a gun carriage of King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
The Band of the Scots Guards and the Band of the Grenadier Guards are playing funeral marches throughout the procession, starting with Beethoven’s Funeral March No.1.
The King is walking directly behind the coffin. Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex, are also in the procession, followed by the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex and Peter Phillips.
The Queen’s coffin has now left Buckingham Palace. The procession of the coffin is being led by the King and other members of the royal family.
Tens of thousands of people have lined the streets to see the Queen’s coffin leaving Buckingham Palace. The procession will begin any minute now.
Boats on the River Mersey have paid their respects to the Queen with a maritime tribute.
At 2pm on Wednesday, around 20 working vessels, including the Mersey Ferries, the Disney Magic cruise liner, lifeboats, river tugs and pilot launch boats, blew their horns in tribute.
A piper played before and after the minute-long display, which also involved boats in the dock systems in Liverpool and Wirral, including at the Cammell Laird shipyard at Birkenhead.
River tugs sprayed water from their fire cannons as members the public lined both sides of the river to watch.
All holders of the Victoria Cross or George Cross will be able to attend the Queen’s funeral, the PA news agency understands.
From the Commonwealth realms, a country’s prime minister plus a guest, the governor general plus a guest and the high commissioner will all receive an invitation.
They are also allowed to bring 10 people from their nation – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already said 10 Australians had been invited by Buckingham Palace for their “extraordinary contributions to their communities”.
Here is the current scene at Belvedere Road. This is fairly close to te front of the qeueue.
Reporter Stephen Topping, who is in the queue for lying in state, has been handed his wristband to be allowed entry into the hall. https://twitter.com/stetopping/status/1570033378807660544
All ceremonial viewing areas for the procession of the Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall are full, London’s City Hall said.