King Charles in procession as Queen is marched from Westminster Abbey
Their saddest walk by her side: King Charles and senior royals follow in sombre procession as Queen’s coffin is marched from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch watched by hundreds of thousands lining streets
- 2,000 royals, world leaders, VIPs and hundreds of members of the public were at Abbey for state funeral
- The King, his siblings, children and other royals marched solemnly behind the coffin from Parliament
- 2million people are in London to say farewell to Britain’s longest serving monarch who died 11 days ago
- People began camping in central London despite being told that they wouldn’t be allowed ahead of event
- Mourners slept in tents, camping chairs and in the middle of the floor as they refused to miss state occasion
- Huge crowds also gathered in Windsor where the Queen will be laid to rest in private family service tonight
- The Queen’s funeral: All the latest Royal Family news and coverage
The Queen’s final journey through London has begun followed by her mourning family – whose grief was etched on their faces and those of the crowds who swamped the capital to bade farewell to the beloved monarch.
Hundreds of thousands of people have lined the route from Westminster Abbey after the state funeral, which left King Charles III in tears.
The Queen’s coffin, followed by the King, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, Duke of York and the Princess Royal, began its procession towards Wellington Arch after it was placed back onto the State Gun Carriage at just after midday. Her Majesty’s coffin will pass Buckingham Palace on its way to Wellington Arch before being taken by hearse to Windsor.
The route is being lined by the armed forces from Westminster Abbey to the top of Constitution Hill at the Commonwealth Memorial Gates.
Mounties of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police lead the procession followed immediately by representatives of the George Cross foundations from Malta, the former Royal Ulster Constabulary, and four representatives from the NHS.
The emotional King Charles III and his grief-stricken family had surrounded the Queen’s coffin at her state funeral in Westminster Abbey in a moving and majestic farewell to the late monarch today in an extraordinary service followed by a national two minute’s silence and the Last Post.
Her Majesty made her final and saddest journey from Westminster Hall to the church where she married and was crowned as Britain mourned its longest-serving monarch and the royals bade goodbye to a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Her coffin was placed close to the altar with her crown, orb and sceptre on its top surrounded by flowers chosen by the King from gardens she loved. A card in the flowers on top of the coffin read simply: “In loving and devoted memory. Charles R.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury hailed the Queen’s ‘abundant life and loving service’ as he delivered the sermon at her state funeral, adding: ‘She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.’
State trumpeters from the Household Cavalry sounded the Last Post following the Archbishop of Canterbury’s commendation over the Queen’s coffin and a blessing pronounced by the Dean of Westminster. Two minute’s silence followed across the country before Reveille was sounded by the trumpeters before the National Anthem was sung by the congregation.
Prince Charles looked tearful at points of the service while his sister Princess Anne looked at him with concern and care before fixing her own stare on her mother’s coffin and crown. Prince Andrew looked moved – having been fighting back tears as the family marched behind the Queen’s coffin through Parliament Square.
King Charles III sat at the head of the family next to Princess Anne, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex behind him in the second row, after more than a week leading the monarchy and the nation in mourning his mother the Queen.
Prince William, who marched with his brother behind the coffin, was on the front row next to Prince George, who was reading the order of service during the Archbishop of Canterbury’s sermon, before singing hymns, while Princess Charlotte was seen whispering to her mother, who with William decided to bring them to say goodbye to their great-grandmother.
The King looked very emotional during the singing of the national anthem at Westminster Abbey. Charles remained silent during the song, while his siblings and members of the royal family sang along. Gripping his ceremonial sword, Charles looked downcast as he started straight ahead while a piper played Sleep, Dearie, Sleep.
The UK’s most important church, packed with 2,000 VIPs including prime ministers, presidents and the Queen’s family, was serene aside from the sound of hymns and prayers in a funeral service Her Majesty has curated herself before she died.
On an highly emotional occasion for Britain and the world, the Queen was carried in her oak coffin to the gun carriage used by her parents and was followed through Parliament Square by her son, the King, and her relatives including the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex. Andrew, the Duke of York, appeared to be crying. Outside the Abbey an estimated 2million people are in central London along procession routes and watching on big screens.
Prince Charles looks tearful while an emotional Prince Harry looked away from the Queen’s coffin at the end of the funeral
King Charles III stares ahead with emotion as he walks beside The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in a Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s orb and sceptre as it leaves the Abbey
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in a Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s orb and sceptre arrives during the State Funeral Service
Britain’s King Charles III, Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort, Britain’s Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Britain’s Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Britain’s Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Britain’s Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall
Prince of Wales (C) attends with Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales (R) and Britain’s Sophie, Countess of Wessex
The Prince of Wales and Prince George sat alongside one another at the funeral
Meghan and Harry were sat directly behind the King and the Queen Consort
Prince George of Wales, his mother and sister and aunt Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, enter the church
George, Kate and Charlotte sing hymns in the Queen’s memory
The Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Countess of Wessex James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor
Mike Tindall and Zara Tindall, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank , Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, arriving at the State Funeral
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, being carried inside Westminster Abbey to its altar
The coffin is placed near the altar inside Westminster Abbey, next to her grieving family
Princess Anne looks at her mother’s coffin and the crown on the saddest of all days for Britain and the world
The Imperial State Crown resting on top of the coffin
The wreath which adorns the Queen’s coffin includes flowers requested by King Charles. Cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House, the flowers and foliage have been chosen for their symbolism
The Queen’s final journey down the aisle of Westminster Abbey
The view in Westminster Abbey above the Queen – where she married and was crowned more than 70 years ago
Senior royals including King Charles, Prince William and his son Prince George are seen seated at the front of one half of the congregation inside Westminster Abbey
King Charles III and members of the royal family follow behind the coffin
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, is carried inside Westminster Abbey
King Charles III, Camilla, the Queen Consort, Princess Anne, and her husband Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Prince William, and Kate, Princess of Wales with their children Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Britain’s Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, David Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowden, Peter Phillips, The Duke of Gloucester, Prince Michael of Kent and the Duke of Kent follow the coffin
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried by the Bearer Party into Westminster Abbey past the grave of the Unknown Soldier
The coffin arrives at the State Funeral
A piper plays a lament for the Queen at the end of the service
The Queen’s funeral drew to a close with a lament played by The Sovereign’s piper and her coffin has been carried from Westminster Abbey to be placed on the State Gun Carriage.
The strains of the lament, ‘Sleep, dearie, sleep’, could still be heard echoing through the abbey as the piper walked off.
Shortly after, as the organist played Bach’s Fantasia in C minor, soldiers of the bearer party entered from the South Quire Aisle.
As the bearers moved slowly through the abbey to place the coffin once more on the gun carriage, they were followed in procession to the Great West Door by The King and Queen Consort along with other members of the Royal Family.
The State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin began its funeral procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey at around 10.45am, arriving just before 11am. A single toll from Big Ben signalled the start of the service at Westminster Abbey, where kings and queens have been crowned and buried since 1066. Her Majesty will be laid to rest at Windsor next to her beloved husband Prince Philip and her parents, George VI and the Queen Mother.
Despite the huge crowds, there was absolute silence as around 200 pipers and drummers of Scottish and Irish Regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas and RAF played as the procession went through Parliament Square. The Queen’s own piper played a lament that echoed through the heart of London.
Walking behind the carriage were the King and his siblings, followed by the Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex and Peter Phillips. The State Gun Carriage has also been previously used for the funerals of King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, Winston Churchill, and Lord Mountbatten.
There was complete silence from the crowd close to Parliament Square, as the State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin slowly moved past. The crowd, momentarily still and with phones held aloft to capture the moment, was around 10-people thick in places, as tens of thousands thronged the streets to say goodbye to the monarch and witness a moment of history.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte travelled to Westminster Abbey in the same car as the Queen Consort, with the Princess of Wales arriving with them. They arrived at the church shortly after some of the Queen’s grandchildren including Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
World leaders including Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron arrived at Westminster Abbey around an hour before the service began. The congregation of 2,000 sat in solemn silence as Her Majesty arrived.
An emotion King Charles arrives in the Abbey after the Queen is placed by the altar
Prince George, 9, looks nervous as he makes his way to his seat inside Westminster Abbey with his mother and sister
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth’s coffin is carried past the mourning congregation
A packed Westminster Abbey are seen as the Queen’s coffin rests on its catafalque during her funeral service today
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in a Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s orb and sceptre is taken into Westminster Abbey
King Charles III sheds tears for his mother as he arrives at Westminster Abbey after following her coffin from Westminster Hall
Prince Albert II and Charlene, Princess of Monaco
King Charles III arrives for his mother’s funeral. Westminster Abbey is packed with world leaders and European royals
Her Majesty is carried into her funeral watched by her mourning family. Harry and Andrew were not allowed to salute
King Charles looks tearful as his sister Princess Anne gives him a look of concern and care
Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte are shepherded to their seats by their mother the Princess of Wales
King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Prince William, Prince Harry, and Peter Phillips arrive at Westminster Abbey
King Charles is followed by his eldest son Prince William as they arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s funeral
Kate, Princess of Wales arrives at Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s state funeral. Alongside her are Prince George and Princess Charlotte
King Charles III, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex followed by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II leaves Westminster Hall for the state funeral at Westminster Abbey
King Charles is flanked by his sister Princess Anne and brothers Prince Andrew and Edward as they make their way into Westminster Abbey in front of Prince William, Prince Harrry and Peter Phillips
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top
The Queen is carried to Westminster Abbey – the scene of her coronation and wedding – for her state funeral today
Royal Navy sailors take the coffin to Westminster Abbey for the State Funeral Service
Members of the armed forces march during the funeral procession for Queen Elizabeth II
Outside Britons cried for their Queen
A man wrapped in the Union Flag clutches Paddington Bear and sobs for the Queen on The Mall
State trumpeters from the Household Cavalry have sounded the Last Post following the Archbishop of Canterbury’s commendation over the Queen’s coffin and a blessing pronounced by the Dean.
Two minute’s silence followed across the country before Reveille was sounded by the trumpeters. The National Anthem is now being sung by the congregation.
In his sermon at the state funeral of the Queen, the Archbishop of Canterbury has told mourners the ‘grief’ felt around the world over her death ‘arises from her abundant life and loving service’, adding: ‘She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.’
The Most Rev Justin Welby said: ‘People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer. But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are forgotten. The grief of this day – felt not only by the late Queen’s family but all round the nation, Commonwealth and world – arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone from us.’
He added: ‘We will all face the merciful judgement of God: we can all share the Queen’s hope which in life and death inspired her servant leadership. Service in life, hope in death. All who follow the Queen’s example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: ‘We will meet again.”
The Dean of Windsor gave the bidding, ahead of the first hymn, ‘The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended’, written by John Ellerton, and which evokes the image of one day, one era, leading into another.
He told the congregation: ‘Here, where Queen Elizabeth was married and crowned, we gather from across the nation, from the Commonwealth, and from the nations of the world, to mourn our loss, to remember her long life of selfless service, and in sure confidence to commit her to the mercy of God our maker and redeemer.’
The Bidding will be followed by Baroness Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, delivering the First Lesson in tribute to The Queen’s lifetime of dedication and service to the family of nations.
The Lesson is taken from Corinthians 15, and includes the line, ‘O death, where is thy sting?’.
The wreath which adorns the Queen’s coffin includes flowers requested by King Charles.
Cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House, the flowers and foliage have been chosen for their symbolism.
They include rosemary, for remembrance, and myrtle cut from a plant which was grown from a sprig of myrtle in the Queen’s wedding bouquet. Myrtle is an ancient symbol of a happy marriage.
Also included are English oak to symbolise the strength of love, pelargoniums, garden roses, autumnal hydrangea, sedum, dahlias and scabious.
These are in shades of gold, pink and deep burgundy, with touches of white, to reflect the Royal Standard.
Members of the clergy wait for the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II to arrive at Westminster Abbey
King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and other senior royals are seen motionless as the Queen’s coffin makes its way into Westminster Abbey
Prince Harry is seen wearing a morning suit as he walks to his seat behind his brother Prince William whilst displaying his medals
Edward, the Earl of Wessex, walks to his seat next to his wife Sophie, as Prince William follows with his eldest son Prince George
US President Joe Biden is seen standing next to his seat as French President Emmanuel Macron looks pensive in a nearby aisle
The Queen begins her final journey from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey
Pallbearers gently carried the late monarch’s oak coffin, carrying her crown, orb and sceptre
The King, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward walk to the abbey behind their mother
Prince Andrew was fighting tears as the Duke of Sussex followed him
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, stands next to King Charles, Anne, Princess Royal, and William, Prince of Wales, as they salute during the state funeral
In an scene of extraodinary mourning and majesty, the Queen moves through Parliament Square
The King and the royal family march to Westminster Abbey from Westminster Hall
The extraordinary scene in Westminster Abbey as the Queen
The Princess of Wales comforts her daughter Princess Charlotte, 7, as she stands next to her brother Prince George, 9
A nervous Prince George makes his way into Westminster Abbey alongside his mother, as his sister Princess Charlotte follows behind
Kate rests a caring arm on George and his sister Charlotte as they arrive at the Abbey
Claire Windsor, Countess of Ulster, Lady Cosima Windsor and Xan Windsor, Lord Culloden arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Prince George, Prince Charlotte and their mother, the Princess of Wales, walk into Westminster Abbey for today’s service
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives for the State Funeral
Princess Beatrice and Sarah Ferguson arrive at the Abbey
A packed Westminster Abbey prepares for the Queen to arrive
There were cheers and clapping as Prince William, the Princess of Wales and their children George and Charlotte were swept into Parliament Square. King Charles III and Queen Consort, Camilla arrived minutes later.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled down The Mall with a police escort. Harry was seen looking sombre as he was driven in a Range Rover from Wellington Arch, down Constitution Hill and on The Mall towards St James’ Palace.
He then stood side by side with his brother, before the royals entered Westminster Hall, where the Queen had been lying in state.
The UK’s most important church began filling up from 8am as the congregation arrived up to three hours early – including Kate Middleton’s parents – as huge crowds of mourners packed the procession route outside and tens of thousands more went to Windsor, where Her Majesty will be buried later.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte travelled to Westminster Abbey in the same car as the Queen Consort, with the Princess of Wales arriving with them. They arrived at the church shortly after some of the Queen’s grandchildren including Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Michael and Carole Middleton were among hundreds of VIPs who arrived at the UK’s most important church – where Her Majesty married Prince Philip and had her coronation.
2,000 royals, world leaders and hundreds of members of the public have began filing into the Abbey as billions around the world will watch Her Majesty’s state funeral.
Most of the VIPs arrived by coach, meeting at the Royal Hospital Chelsea before being put on a bus into Central London. Britain’s ministers – past and present – were among the first arrivals including Nadham Zahawi, Ben Wallace and Jacob Rees-Mogg. But US President Jo Biden went to the Abbey in The Beast – his bomb-proof limousine.
Michael and Carole Middleton, the parents of Kate, the Princess of Wales, arrived two hours early for the service, followed by Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Consort, Camilla. They were also on a bus together – despite their close links to the Royal Family. Celebrities at the funeral include TV personality Bear Grylls.
Funeral flowers in the abbey featured myrtle – which was used in the Queen’s wedding bouquet as is royal tradition. The huge white and green displays of blooms included asiatic lilies, gladioli, alstroemeria, eustoma and foliage of English oak, weeping birch and the sprigs of myrtle.
Around the coffin will stand the four tall yellow candles which usually rest around the grave of the unknown warrior at the entrance to the historic church.
And outside hardy royal fans defied no-camping rules, as people of all ages set up tents, deck chairs and even a makeshift minibar to grab premium seats for the spectacle that will see 2million flood into the capital. By 8.30am member of the public were told that the procession route was full and began diverting people to Hyde Park to watch on the big screens.
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey today by car with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and the Queen’s Consort
It was confirmed last night that the Prince and Princess of Wales will bring George, nine, and Charlotte, seven, would take part, with sources calling it a ‘collective family decision’
‘As parents they have, of course, thought long and hard about whether their children should accompany them,’ a source said. ‘Of course little Louis is too young, but they think George and Charlotte are up to it’
George, Charlotte and Catherine in a car with Camilla, the Queen Consort, as they travel along the Mall to Westminster Abbey
George, Charlotte and Catherine in a car with Camilla, the Queen Consort, as they travel along the Mall to Westminster Abbey
Norway’s King Harald V, 85, is seen on crutches next to his wife Queen Sonja of Norway as he makes his way into Westminster Hall
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown looks sombre as he makes way into Westminster Hall with his wife Sarah Brown
Spain’s exiled former King Juan Carols, 84, makes his way into Westminster Hall next to his wife, the former Queen Sofia
Wang Qishan, China’s vice president, arrives at Westminster Abbey today for the state funeral of the Queen
King Charles III is seen on The Mall ahead of The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, and his children arrive at Westminster Hall. Charlotte was next to her father. George was in the back
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive, on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth
A long line of mourners walk into the UK’s most important church
The congregation were in place several hours before the Queen’s coffin arrived
Prime Minister Liz Truss arrives at Westminster Abbey for the service this morning
Former prime minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May arrive at Westminster Abbey for the service this morning
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the state funeral this morning
Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma – who was friends with the Queen and Prince Philip – at the Abbey
U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive for the State Funeral
The Macrons arrived from Paris yesterday – when they went to see the Queen lying in state
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte file into the Abbey today as world leaders gathered to say farewell
Former prime minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson arrive at Westminster Abbey this morning
Former prime minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha outside Westminster Abbey this morning
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon arrives for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey today
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins spoke to clergy as he arrived at the funeral
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro (right) and his wife Michelle Bolsonaro arrive at Westminster Abbey this morning
Michael and Carole Middleton – the parents of the Princess of Wales, Kate, arrived two hours early for the state funeral
Tom Parker-Bowles, the son of Queen Consort, Camilla, is among the 2,000 people invited today. Pictured with his wife Sara
Queen Letizia of Spain and the King of Spain King Felipe VI head for Westminster Abbey
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog arrives at Westminster Abbey in London for the Queen’s state funeral
Tom Parker Bowles arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II this morning
King Charles III’s goddaughter India Hicks arrives at Westminster Abbey this morning for the Queen’s funeral. Lady Pamela Mountbatten appears to be in a wheelchair. The 93 year old is a first cousin of Prince Philip and a bridesmaid when Elizabeth wed Philip at the Abbey in 1947
Jacob Rees-Mogg walks into Westminster Abbey as Britain and the world mourns the Queen
British minister Nadhim Zahawi was among one of the first guests to arrive at the Abbey followed shortly afterwards by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace
Secretary of State for Education, Kit Malthouse arrives at Westminster Abbey
Bear Grylls waves on the day of the state funeral and burial of Queen Elizabeth II outside Westminster Abbey this morning
First Lady of Gabon, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the state funeral this morning
The Abbey fills ahead of the Queen’s funeral today
Commons leader Penny Mordaunt arrives at Westminster Abbey this morning ahead of the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II
Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg and Education Secretary Kit Malthouse arrive at Westminster Abbey this morning
British Labour Party leader Keir Starmer at Westminster Abbey, on the day of state funeral and burial of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth
Former Conservative leader William Hague walks into the Abbey
Christopher Geidt, the Prime Minister’s Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests, and Emma Charlotte Angela Neill arrive at Westminster Abbey
Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, takes his seat in the Abbey
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Chris Heaton-Harris, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, arrived with VIPs on a coach
Former MP turned Facebook executive Sir Nick Clegg followed Lib Dem leader Ed Davey
Cop26 president Alok Sharma arrives at Westminster Abbey this morning ahead of the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II
Two guests greet one another with a hug and a kiss on a sad day for the world
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford arrives for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
The congregations queues patiently to enter the Abbey at 8am this morning
David Morgan-Hewitt, aka ‘Mr David’, from the Goring Hotel in Belgravia, centre right, would always greet the Queen when she arrived and was at today’s funeral
Representatives of the British military at Westminster Abbey today, on the day of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
The doors of Westminster Abbey opened at 8am, ahead of the arrival of the first mourners for the funeral of the Queen. The King’s Guards trooped through the gates of Abbey, with two soldiers stationed at the metal gates awaiting the start of proceedings.
Amid concerns that London will be ‘full’ today – and a lack of hotel rooms – scores of people began bedding in to line The Mall in central London over the weekend, despite rules – seemingly loosely enforced – preventing people from setting up camp.
This morning, before dawn, stewards told campers to take down their tents. Huge crowds have also formed in Windsor, where the Queen will be buried this evening.
Several who slept in central London overnight said friends and family told them they were ‘mad’ to carry out the overnight vigil, but insisted they would not miss the occasion.
Among them were school friends Christine Manning, 75, and Dianne Donohue, 73, from Leek in Staffordshire, who slept in a pop-up tent.
: A general view inside Westminster Abbey ahead of The State Funeral Of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and his wife, Saadiya Khan, arrive at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II this morning
Two Cardinals of the Vatican delegation arrive on the day of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II this morning
Guests arrive at Westminster Abbey this morning for the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng arrive for the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II today
Father-of-two Pranav Bhanot, from Chigwell in Essex, who was honoured for his work supporting people throughout the pandemic, helping to deliver 1,200 free meals and Nancy O’Neill, arriving at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II today
Former Tory leader William Hague attends the state funeral of Her Majesty the Queen at Westminster Abbey this morning
People take selfies as they wait for the State Funeral Procession of Queen Elizabeth II on Whitehall
Mrs Donohoe, a retired housewife and grandmother-of-three, said: ‘Yes, the advice was not to camp but we disobeyed. We’ve had a good catch-up, we’ve enjoyed it.
‘We were sleeping in the tent and at 4.30am I woke up and asked Chris if she was awake, she was, so we had a whisky and lemonade and a pork pie. A couple more hours’ sleep, then onto the prosecco.
‘We had to take our tent down at 7am because the police told us to, but we couldn’t do it, so we had to get some lad to help us.
‘We’re out of pork pies sadly but we’ve got sausage rolls, and we’ve got some gin now the whisky’s run out – we’re chipper.’
Miss Manning, a retired waitress, added: ‘My kids said we were mad.
‘Well, ‘mental’ is the word they used. They said we were idiots for doing this.
‘I said it had to be done.’
Among those at the top of the Long Walk were Windsor Castle warden Shannon Carroll, 27, and her pals Samantha Geraghty, 24, and Heidi, 26, who declined to give her surname.
Shannon told MailOnline they had arrived at 6am after getting up at 4am to walk from nearby Maidenhead where they all live.
She added:’I’m here to pay my respects to an incredible woman who also happens to be my boss. I’ve worked at the Castle for five years and it’s the least I can do.
‘The Queen was a great employer and an inspirational leader. I don’t think we will ever see anyone like her again.’
A group, wrapped in Union Flags, camped out on chairs overnight to be in London for the funeral
Crowds camping out at night in Whitehall and Parliament Square to await the funeral
Tents on Whitehall this morning in the shadow of the Women of World War II memorial
Mourners wrapped in blankets wait with others at Horse Guards ahead of the State Funeral Of Queen Elizabeth II. Many have camped
People slept on the floor and on chairs wrapped in blankets ahead of the first state funeral for almost 60 years
Members of the public camped out over night on The Mall near Buckingham Palace, ahead of a State Funeral
The line of people sleeping in London was several deep and stretched towards Green Park and St James’ Park
A Pearly King and Queen line the Procession Route in London
Shannon said:’I queued up for 12 hours overnight Friday into Saturday and that was a very poignant and sombre experience.
‘It was incredibly quiet and still but it was at the same time very respectful and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.’
Heidi said:’We are prepared for the day with snacks and drinks and it looks like it will stay dry. We will have a great view of the procession as it comes up the Long Walk and goes into the castle.
‘When we go here there were quite a few people here already but up the front where we are was surprisingly empty. I think we have the best spot to see history in the making.’
Samantha said: ‘It was an early start but well worth it. We will have a great view but we will have to watch the funeral service itself on our phones as we can’t see the big screens.’
Mourners camped out close to Parliament Square this morning
The street is cleaned in advance of the State Funeral Procession of Queen Elizabeth II amid already huge crowds
The Mall was a frenzy of activity yesterday, as people arrived to lay flowers nearby, get a glimpse of Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade, and bag their vantage points for the funeral procession as it makes its way from Westminster to Windsor.
Tim Thompson, 35, from New Brunswick in Canada, and Charlie Shirley, 36, from north London, also slept in a tent on the Mall.
The pair became friends after being sat next to each other for William and Kate’s wedding in 2011, and resumed their same spot together on Saturday.
Miss Shirley said: ‘We do all the royal events together, it’s like we’re a family.
‘I saw Tim at the Queen’s Jubilee and we said that the next time we see each other would probably be at the Queen’s funeral – we didn’t expect it to be three months later.’
Mr Thompson said: ‘I keep four days’ holiday a year for royal events, so I had to be here.’
American businesswoman Nicole Alford, 40, paid around £1,300 for a last-minute flight to London on Thursday, and said she would camp out until after the funeral.
She said: ‘You don’t come all this way and then watch it on the TV. I want a front-seat of history.
‘My mom said: ‘I can’t believe you’re doing that.’
‘I said: ‘I can’t believe you didn’t think I would do that.’
‘Everybody thinks I’m crazy, but I managed five-and-a-half hours’ uninterrupted sleep on my first night camping out here, so I’m fine.’
Semi-retired teacher Ian Rhodes, 66, and his wife Sue, 58, from Alton in Staffordshire, arrived at the Mall at 11am yesterday (SUN) to claim their spot – although they said they would sleep in deckchairs rather than pitch a tent.
Mr Rhodes said: ‘The only other time I’ve queued overnight for anything was when Stoke City got to Wembley for the cup final in 1972, and I waited overnight at the club shop with my friends to get tickets.
‘People have said we’re mad, but sanity is relative.’
Mrs Rhodes said the couple’s two adult sons were a bit concerned about their parents ‘roughing it’ overnight in London, but said: ‘I told them we were going to do it anyway – when has their mother ever done what she was told?’
Paulette Galley, from Boston in Lincolnshire, said she was determined to stay on The Mall overnight.
The 54-year-old kitchen assistant, originally from south London, said: ‘I might not get any sleep but I don’t care. She was my Queen, and I want to pay my respects to her.
‘There is no way I wouldn’t be here.’
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