How can I pay my respects to the Queen?

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The Prince of Wales, King Charles, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Sussex walk behind the Queen's coffin during the procession between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Hall on Wednesday 14 SeptemberImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Large crowds watched as King Charles, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Sussex walked behind the Queen's coffin during the procession between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Hall

Members of the public have been paying their respects to Queen Elizabeth II in the days since her death.

If you wish to pay tribute to the Queen, here are some of the options.

Visiting the Queen's lying-in-state

Hundreds of thousands of mourners queued over several days in central London to pay their respects to the Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall.

Entry to the queue was closed late on Sunday evening and the Queen's lying-in-state finished at 06:30 BST on Monday, 19 September, the day of the funeral.

Image source, PA Media

Huge queues had formed along the banks of the River Thames. Those in line had to stand for many hours with little opportunity to sit down, as the queue was constantly moving.

The BBC offered a dedicated stream of the lying-in-state, for people who could not travel to London.

Watch the funeral

The Queen's funeral will take place on Monday 19 September at 11:00 BST at Westminster Abbey.

The ceremony is expected to draw to a close just before noon, when the Last Post - a short bugle call - will be played, followed by a two-minute national silence.

It will be broadcast on BBC Television and available to stream on BBC iPlayer, with updates on the BBC News website and BBC Radio throughout the day.

Other networks are also expected to show the event, which will be shown on big screens in many towns and cities.

Leave a floral tribute

Large numbers of floral tributes have already been placed by the public at royal residences around the UK. The Royal Household has issued guidance on where they can be left:

At Buckingham Palace, dedicated sites have been set up in Green Park and Hyde Park.

Image source, Reuters

At Windsor Castle, they can be left at Cambridge Gate on the Long Walk. At the Royal Family's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, flowers can be left at the Norwich Gates.

At Balmoral Castle, where the Queen died on Thursday, flowers can be left at the Main Gate. Aberdeenshire Council has asked people to use park and ride services, external from the nearby settlements of Braemar and Ballater, rather than attempting to drive to the castle as there is no road access at the moment.

In Edinburgh, members of the public can lay flowers in the Physic Garden, next to the Abbey Strand Gate at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

At Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland, flowers may be left on the Castle Forecourt, in front of the main gates.

The government and Royal Household have asked that no flowers, wreaths or tributes be sent directly to royal residences, government offices or to the location of the Queen's funeral.

The Royal Parks said non-compostable items, such as teddy bears or plastic wrapping, should be avoided where possible, external.

Sign local condolence books

Many local authorities have set up books of condolence in libraries, town halls and other civic buildings, as well as suggested local places where flowers can be left.

You can use this link, external to find your local authority, then visit its website to find out what is available near you.

Places of worship in towns and cities across the UK are also open for prayer and reflection, and to light a candle. Many cathedrals are offering the opportunity to lay floral tributes.

Image source, Getty Images

Pay tribute online

There is an online book of condolence on the Royal Family website, external.

A selection of messages will be passed on to members of the Royal Family and may be held in the Royal Archives for posterity.

BBC News is also collecting your stories and memories of the Queen for our online tributes page - you can share your special moments with us via this online form.

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