Queue for lying-in-state closes before Queen’s funeral

Summary

The queue for members of the public to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state has now closed
King Charles thanks people around the world for their support since the death of his mother
He says he has been "so deeply touched" by the many messages of condolence and support before the Queen's "last farewell"
World leaders have been arriving in London ahead of the Queen's state funeral on Monday
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have paid their respects to the late monarch at Westminster Hall
Camilla, the Queen Consort, has paid tribute to the Queen, telling a BBC programme she “carved her own role” in a world dominated by men

Live Reporting

Edited by Gareth Evans

Accessible queue now permanently closed, officials announcepublished at 16:35 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Breaking
The accessible queue to see the Queen's lying-in-state has been permanently closed, the government has announced.
"Please do not join the queue at Tate Britain. Thank you for your understanding," the culture department said.
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Boy, 7, receives posthumous letter from the Queenpublished at 16:25 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Image source, Gemma Berg
A seven-year-old boy says he was "shocked and excited" to receive a letter from the Queen, posted on the day she died.
Charlie, from Ilford in east London, wrote to the monarch to congratulate her on her Platinum Jubilee.
His mother, Gemma, says he could not believe the card was real.
"I had to say, 'it's actually from Buckingham Palace, it's not me pretending'," she adds.
Image source, .
The letter expresses the Queen Elizabeth II's "grateful thanks" for Charlie's "kind message on the occasion of the seventieth anniversary of my accession to the throne".
Gemma says: "Charlie was so upset when I told him that, sadly, the Queen had died. He said that he hoped she had read his letter before she died."
Read more here.
Truss holds talks with leaders but will no longer meet Bidenpublished at 16:10 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Away from the lying-in-state queue and Buckingham Palace, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss has concluded meetings with her counterparts from Australia and New Zealand at the Chevening country residence in Kent.
She spoke with Australian PM Anthony Albanese and New Zealand's leader Jacinda Ardern as part of talks ahead of the Queen's funeral on Monday.
Truss, who was appointed prime minister in one of Elizabeth II's final acts as Queen on 6 September, will no longer meet US President Joe Biden on Sunday.
Instead, the pair will have a "full bilateral meeting" at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Downing Street said.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Before travelling to the UK, Jacinda Ardern spoke on the steps of parliament in Wellington to acknowledge the new King's reign
Estimated queue time now up to 13 hours as officials gauge closure timepublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Image source, DCMS
The estimated waiting time in the queue to see the Queen's coffin has dropped significantly, according to the government's official tracker.
It has changed throughout the day. Around 90 minutes ago the estimated wait time was 16-and-a-half hours, now it has dropped down to 13 hours.
The Queen's lying-in-state is open until 06:30 BST on Monday but the queue will be closed well before then.
Officials are monitoring numbers so as many people as possible can pay their respects, the culture department said.
A formal closure announcement will be made as final capacity is reached, the department added.
Football tributes to Queen held across the UKpublished at 15:37 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Image source, Reuters
More tributes were paid across the UK ahead of the 15:00 BST football league kick-offs this afternoon.
In Newcastle, part-owner Amanda Staveley and Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn carried and laid a wreath ahead of the clubs' Premier League game at St James' Park.
In Scotland, Dundee United fans disrupted the minute's silence in memory of the Queen before Saturday's top-flight encounter game against Rangers at Ibrox.
Rangers had confirmed they planned the tribute for their home game, along with the singing of the national anthem before kick-off.
However, boos and chanting could be heard from the area of the stadium hosting several hundred Dundee United supporters.
In pictures: Heads of state and dignitaries sign book of condolencespublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
King Charles III will undertake audiences with various dignitaries and heads of states over the weekend.
With many - including the Emperor of Japan - on their way to London, some are already in the capital and have signed a book of condolence at Lancaster House.
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet his UK counterpart Liz Truss while he is in London
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Sir Bob Dadae, Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, conveyed the nations sympathies after Queen Elizabeth II died
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Governor-General of Belize Dame Froyla Tzalam signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House
Ambulance service cares for 710 in queue - as overnight temperatures plummetpublished at 15:12 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Sam Hancock
BBC News
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
A woman, with her hood up, wraps herself in a blanket in the 16-and-a-half hour long queue
The London Ambulance Service (LAS) is warning those joining the queue to see the Queen's lying-in-state to be mindful of the cold weather.
A spokesman for the NHS trust told BBC News three people were treated due to the cold last night, with one eventually being taken to hospital.
He said that, up until midnight at the end of Friday, LAS had treated 710 people along the the lying-in-state queue route. This includes:
- 291 patients on Wednesday, of whom 17 were taken to hospital
- 144 patients on Thursday, of whom 25 were taken to hospital
- 275 patients on Friday, of whom 39 were taken to hospital
There are concerns the numbers could rise overnight on Saturday, with temperatures set to drop again. Last night there were lows of 5C (41F), according to the Met Office, external.
Darren Farmer, director for ambulance operations, advised anyone thinking of getting in the 16-and-a-half hour long line they should bring "any regular medication, appropriate clothing, drink plenty of water and eat regularly".
Quote Message
It’s likely to be cold, so it’s important people wear appropriate clothing to keep them warm."
Further government guidance can be found here, external.
Earl and Countess of Wessex meet crowds outside palacepublished at 14:59 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Image source, PA Media
In the last few moments the Earl and Countess of Wessex have left Buckingham Palace to speak with crowds.
Sophie chatted with various members of the public and was handed a number of bouquets.
Her husband, Prince Edward, also shook hands with the crowd - many waved back in the September London sunshine.
He pointed at people asking where people had come from, Manchester and Birmingham were some of the responses as he thanked people for coming to visit.
Chants of God Save the King could be heard from well-wishers.
Confusion over Prince Harry and Meghan's state reception invitespublished at 14:44 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Sean Coughlan
BBC News, royal correspondent
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met members of the public at Windsor Castle on 10 September
There has been some confusion about whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were meant to attend the state reception at Buckingham Palace on Sunday, or whether they have been “uninvited”.
The reception is the formal event where the Royal Family will greet overseas leaders and dignitaries who are travelling to the Queen’s funeral - such as US President Joe Biden.
Palace sources have been adamant only “working royals” will be there.
That would have ruled out Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as Prince Andrew, who are no longer working royals.
However, sources close to the couple suggest they did get an email invitation to the reception.
But they are now confused that they no longer seem able to attend.
We're from the North East - this is warm for uspublished at 14:39 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Jon Kelly
In Southwark Park
Friends Claire Thomas, 46, and Emma Hughes, 29, travelled down from Newcastle and Sunderland, respectively.
They have a wheelie suitcase full of body warmers, thermal leggings and other warm clothes.
“A friend from London told us it was cold - but we’re from the North East, so this is warm for us," says Emma.
Claire’s rucksack is filled with provisions for what could be a long night - “fruit, sweets energy bars - lots of sugar and protein,” she says.
'We just said, 'let's do it''published at 14:32 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Jon Kelly
In Southwark Park
Assiya Khan from west London and Samir Dwesar from Croydon, both 32, joined the queue at around 11am.
They originally planned to turn up in the middle of the night - but when they checked the tracker at 2am and 4am it predicted a 25-hour wait.
“Then a message flashed up saying it had dropped to 14 hours,” says Assiya. “So we just said, let’s do it.”
But neither mind how long they’ll have to wait.
“It’s all part of the experience,” says Samir. “We’re both kids of the Commonwealth and know how much the Queen was respected across the community.”
'The very British-ness of it all'published at 14:26 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Lauren Moss
In Southwark Park
Image source, Reuters
All along the route, people have set up tea and coffee stands - some are run by companies, others are just residents who live nearby and have turned out with a big table and a kettle.
I’ve spoken to police officers who’ve been drafted in from other forces and stewards who are working 16-hour days.
Everyone is in good, albeit sombre, spirits - wanting to play their part in this moment in history. Each person has their own story to tell about why they are here.
One man, who has travelled from Belgium, told me he was struck by the “very British-ness” of it all - not only the queuing, but the way he has seen people coming together, welcoming each other, and forging new friendships.
Estimated queue time goes uppublished at 14:09 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Image source, DCMS
Now to bring those queuing - or thinking about queuing - an update on the wait times.
According to the latest information on the government's official tracker, the latest wait time is "up to 16-and-a-half hours", up from 14 hours. It was 24 hours at the start of the day.
The back of the queue is still stretching along the River Thames to Southwark Park.
'I'll never forget it,' says 98-year-oldpublished at 14:04 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Harry Low
BBC London News
One of the oldest people to visit Westminster Hall this week is Ernest Brooks, aged 98, who travelled from Tottentham, north London, with his grandaughter Carol Ouchrif.
"It's terrific," the military veteran tells me. "I shall remember this day. I'll never forget it. I served the Queen in the army so I wanted to pay my respects."
They came via the access queue - Carol, a paediatric nurse, finished a night shift in a children's hospital before joining the three-hour wait for a wristband yesterday, where they were given a slot for this morning.
"It's amazing, so touching," Carol says. "Memories I'm going to treasure with him because he won't be here forever.
"Everybody's so friendly, it's so lovely. You don't even notice the three-hour wait. Everybody is privileged to be here to do this."
Rehearsals by moonlight ahead of Queen's funeral on Mondaypublished at 13:58 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Media caption,
Queen Elizabeth II: Rehearsals by moonlight ahead of Queen's funeral
'We just wanted to pay our respects', say group of friends from Texaspublished at 13:46 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Media caption,
Watch: the Texan group who flew in to pay respects
It's not just British people in the queue to see the Queen's coffin - this morning, we spoke to six American women who travelled from Houston, Texas.
Why had they come all this way? "This one", said one of the ladies, pointing to Melinda - who was suddenly nominated the group's spokesperson.
"We've always loved the Queen," said Melinda, "so when we heard she was sick we made plans to come - and here we are, just wanted to pay our respects."
Melinda's friend Anne said the experience of queuing had been unforgettable.
"The people around us, that's been the best part. The people we've met and stuck with the entire 13 hours."
News of the royal visit filters through to those at the backpublished at 13:38 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Jon Kelly
In Southwark Park
Image source, Reuters
Word has reached the back of the queue that the King and the Prince of Wales have paid a surprise visit further down the line.
Those preparing to wait 14 hours or more to pay their respects are appreciative of the gesture.
“They’re doing what their mum and grandmother did,” says Sarah Mellor, 44, from Chorley, Lancashire.
“I’ve got so much respect for that - it must be really hard when you lose your mum at 73.”
Benedicte Aguttes, 57, originally from Paris but now living in Enfield, north London, agrees.
“It’s in keeping with the Queen’s life - she was always greeting people and made herself available. To me she represented British values.”
Services to be held across England todaypublished at 13:36 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Outside the capital, services are being held in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.
According to the Cabinet Office, they include.
- Thanksgiving service at Chichester Cathedral from 15:00 BST
- Rochester Cathedral will host a requiem eucharist from 15:15
- A memorial service of evensong will be held at Bath Abbey from 15:30
- One-hour commemoration service at Winchester Cathedral from 18:00
- Doncaster Minster will hold a service of commemoration from 18:00
Dame Kelly Holmes joins back of the queuepublished at 13:29 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Lauren Moss
Reporting from Southwark Park
Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes has joined the back of the queue here at Southwark Park - and doesn't feel too daunted by the long wait ahead.
The 52-year-old was at an award ceremony last night in Liverpool, but said she felt compelled to come to London to pay her respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
"In my head I was like 'I have to join this queue' so I stopped all my plans for this weekend and here I am," she tells me.
"I got my damehood from the Queen in 2005 for services to sport so that will always hold good memories.
"But the ones which really stand out are the ones that are really informal - at races where I break protocol and say to the Queen 'you look lovely ma'am' and she says 'thank you Dame Kelly'.
"Those are the moments that stand out, her bright colours and the aura around her.
"I have been watching the live feed and I was just overwhelmed. People are feeling this warmth, connecting with this moment, and for me yes it will be a sombre occasion [but] it makes me happy I am here in this queue."
Premier League continues to pay respects to Queen Elizabeth IIpublished at 13:24 British Summer Time 17 September 2022
Simon Stone
Reporting from Molineux
Image source, PA Media
Flags are flying at half mast outside Molineux as the Premier League continues to pays its respects to Queen Elizabeth II this weekend.
Players and fans of Wolves and Manchester City held a minute's silence before the lunchtime match, followed by the national anthem.
Both teams are wearing black armbands, and Wolves have printed a lovely picture in the match programme of The Queen - then Princess Elizabeth - handing the FA Cup over to Billy Wright following Wolves' victory over Leicester at Wembley in 1949.
As for today's match, Manchester City are 2-0 up at half-time.