Queen's funeral: People advised not to set off for lying-in-state

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Members of the public in the queue in Westminster on the evening of 18 September to see the lying in stateImage source, PA Media

People who wish to view Queen Elizabeth II's lying-in-state have been told it is too late to set off now to see it.

With the event being closed at 06:30 BST on Monday, ahead of the funeral, organisers say they will have to close the queue at some point, so do not want people to travel and be disappointed.

A minute's silence was observed across the UK at 20:00 to mourn the Queen.

And King Charles has been hosting world leaders at a Buckingham Palace reception ahead of Monday's funeral.

US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern were among those who attended the event.

Some of foreign guests, including President Biden and his wife Jill, also paid their respects to the Queen's coffin at Westminster Hall during the day.

Image source, Alex Doherty
Image caption,

A rainbow was seen over Westminster Abbey, the location of the Queen's funeral, on Sunday evening

On the final full day of the Queen's lying-in-state, the waiting time in the queue is currently estimated to be eight hours - with the end point now at Hay's Galleria near London Bridge.

In a statement, the Department of Culture said a decision will be taken later on when entry to the queue will close as it reaches final capacity".

Meanwhile, in a TV tribute, Camilla, the Queen Consort, said the Queen "carved her own role" when she took on the role in 1952 as a time when the world was dominated by men.

Media caption,

Watch: Camilla remembers Queen's smile in tribute

The pre-recorded interview was broadcast on BBC One, as part of an hour-long programme called Eve of the State Funeral, which preceded the national silence.

Big Ben was struck once to mark the start of Sunday's minute's silence at 20:00 BST, and again to mark its end.

Events and moments of reflection have also taken place across the UK during the day include an open-air prayer service at the Kelpies, near Falkirk, where 96 lanterns - one for each year of Her Majesty's life - were lowered into the pool of reflection at the foot of the Queen Elizabeth II Canal.

With final preparations ongoing for Monday's state funeral at Westminster Abbey, the government has compiled a list of screenings, external for those wishing to see the ceremony in a public setting.

For those staying at home or on the move during the day, the BBC will provide full coverage of the funeral across television, radio, iPlayer and BBC Sounds. A special programme will be on air from 08:00 until 17:00 on BBC One, BBC Two and iPlayer.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, spoke to BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme about the vast number of people who are working to make sure the state funeral goes smoothly.

"It is enormous, it's actually over 10,000 people," Adm Radakin said. That will include up to 6,000 members of the Army, Royal Navy and RAF taking part in Monday's procession in London and Windsor, who have been taking part in overnight rehearsals.

Former Archbishop of York John Sentamu also recalled a touching letter the Queen wrote to him four weeks after Prince Phillip's burial.

According to Lord Sentamu, in the letter she thanked him for the flowers and prayers, and said: "When you are grieving someone you deeply love, it isn't easy when you are having to do it in public."