Queen’s coffin to lie in London for 4 days: Funeral custom, route and what mourners will see

Queen Elizabeth’s coffin, coated by the Royal Standard flag and with the Imperial State Crown positioned on a cushion on high alongside a wreath of flowers, was delivered to London’s Westminster corridor on Wednesday.

Draped within the Royal Standard, Her Majesty The Queen’s coffin is taken in Procession to Westminster Hall. pic.twitter.com/m19YFYQuWv

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 14, 2022

Thousands of individuals are anticipated to reach at Westminster Hall to pay their respects to the longest reigning monarch of Britain, whose coffin will lie in state for 4 days till her funeral on Monday.

Let us check out what to anticipate for the event, together with its traditions, the ready route and what mourners will see:

HOW LONG WILL THE QUEEN LIE IN STATE?

Visitors who want to pay tribute to the queen and look at her coffin can achieve this for twenty-four hours a day till 6:30 am native time on Monday when the funeral will probably be held, reported AP information.

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WHAT WILL PEOPLE SEE?

The closed coffin is draped with the Royal Standard, a flag representing the sovereign and the UK. It is adorned with royal regalia together with the orb, the sceptre and the bejewelled Imperial State Crown — the identical one the queen wore throughout her coronation in 1953.

The coffin is positioned on a catafalque, or a raised platform, within the centre of Westminster Hall. Royal guards in plumed hats and ceremonial uniforms will stand 24 hours a day at every nook of the platform.

LEAD-LINED COFFIN

The queen’s coffin is constructed out of English oak, lined with lead and was made many years in the past, stated specialists.

Sarah Hayes, supervisor of the Coffin Works museum in Birmingham, England stated, “It’s to preserve the body for as long as possible, it’s really about slowing down the process of decomposition.” she informed AP information. This is very essential for the queen as a result of her coffin will finally be positioned in a church, not buried within the floor, she added.

THE QUEUE

British authorities have introduced two ready routes alongside the River Thames that the general public want to hitch earlier than they will enter Westminster Hall.

Crowds collect forward of the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. (AP picture)

The authorities has warned that folks might face 30-hour waits to pay tribute to the Queen, the BBC reported. Hundreds of additional bathrooms and water fountains will probably be positioned alongside the route, and a few venues alongside the best way, together with Shakespeare’s Globe, will open across the clock to supply refreshments and relaxation breaks.

AP information reported that airport-style safety checks are in place close to the entrance of the road earlier than folks can enter Parliament.

ALSO READ | King Charles and sons escort Queen Elizabeth’s coffin as folks line as much as pay respects

WESTMINSTER HALL

The mendacity in state takes place at Westminster Hall, a 900-year-old constructing on the capital. Built in 1097, it’s the oldest surviving constructing of the Palace of Westminster.

The medieval corridor has been on the coronary heart of British historical past for a millennium. Many iconic monarchs have hosted lavish coronation banquets in its halls. Queen Elizabeth II addressed the general public from Westminster throughout her silver, golden and diamond jubilees.

WHO GETS TO LIE IN STATE?

In the UK, mendacity in state is reserved for the sovereign, queen consorts, and generally prime ministers.

Queen Mary, King George VI and King George V had been among the many royals who lay in state at Westminster Hall. Winston Churchill was the one British prime minister to have a lying-in-state ceremony within the twentieth century.

The stays of King George V lie in state till the royal funeral, with the Household troops standing guard at Westminster Hall in London on Jan. 23, 1936. (AP picture)

The final individual to lie in state in Britain was Elizabeth’s mom, often called the Queen Mother. Some 200,000 folks paid their respects to her over three days when she died in 2002.

WHERE IS THE QUEEN’S FINAL RESTING PLACE?

After the state funeral on September 19, the coffin will probably be taken to Windsor the place the queen will probably be laid to relaxation within the King George VI Memorial Chapel. The chapel lies inside St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the place the Queen’s mom and father had been interred and her sister Princess Margaret’s ashes had been positioned.

Prince Philip’s coffin, which is at present in St. George’s Chapel’s Royal Vault, is predicted to be moved to the memorial chapel to hitch the queen’s.

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, died on September 8 at Scotland’s Balmoral Castle.

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