Britain’s longest-serving monarch, who died on September 8 aged 96 after 70 years on the throne, is at rest in the capital’s Westminster Hall ahead of Monday’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey.
After waiting in all weathers for more than 48 hours, the first public mourners were allowed into the vast mediaeval hall on Wednesday after the coffin left Buckingham Palace for the last time, in a ceremonial procession witnessed by tens of thousands.
Thursday marks the first full day of Queen Elizabeth II’s lying-in-state — a last chance to say a personal farewell to a much-loved sovereign admired around the world for her steadfast sense of duty.
The casket, draped in the Royal Standard flag and bearing the Imperial State Crown plus the Orb and Sceptre, was raised high on a platform, with tall, flickering candles at each corner.
The coffin was being guarded by soldiers in ceremonial uniform, in a constant vigil.
‘At peace’
In somber scenes, many people stopped and bowed or curtsied towards the coffin. Others crossed themselves, or removed their hats.
Some prayed towards the casket or wiped away tears with tissues. Some brought their infants in pushchairs. Old soldiers stopped and gave one last salute to their former commander-in-chief.
Sue Harvey, 50, an accountant, was among those in tears after filing past the coffin.
“Inside it was really quiet, really calm, and incredibly emotional. A lot of people were in tears but there was a total silence. It was just so respectful,” she told AFP.
“I wanted to make sure I did see her no matter how long the queue [line] was going to be, because I never met her when she was alive.”
Vickie Wicks, 36, a clinical paramedic specialist who took the day off work, was also in tears after leaving the hall.
“The guards were watching her one last time at the four corners of the coffin. It was beautiful,” she said. “She was at peace.”
Nina, a 40-year-old performer, wanted to say thank you for Elizabeth’s life of unswerving service to the nation.
“In this place, you can’t escape the magnitude of who she was. I got really emotional — and I was not the only one,” she said.
‘This is what we do’
The line snaked back for nearly three miles (five kilometers) along the Thames river bank on Wednesday evening as mourners braved hours of waiting for their chance to see the late monarch.
Adam Armendariz, 35, a sales manager from London, joined the back of the line with his colleagues.
“She gave so much to us and the world,” he said. “I think it’s the minimum that we can do to queue for a few hours to see her rest.”
Jacob Lovewell, 29, who works in marketing, had only a large bottle of water with him.
“We British, this is what we do: queue,” he said. “It’s the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.
“I’ve never seen the queen, I’ve never met her, but this is an opportunity to say thank you and goodbye.”
Solemn procession
The coffin had been taken to Westminster Hall from Buckingham Palace earlier Wednesday.