Queen: First member of the public curtsies at coffin

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Mum-of-three Vanessa Nathakumaran, 56, was head of the procession into Westminister Hall shortly after the gates were opened at 5 yesterday afternoon.

Vanessa, who began queuing alone on Monday evening to secure wristband number A00001, said: “I was very close to crying but was determined to control myself.

“It was so sad to see the Queen there, the crown on top of the coffin really turned my head but I was trying so hard to just look forward. I did feel proud and a little responsible as I was aware that I was leading the public in London past the coffin.”

The admin assistant, pictured below from Harrow, West London, lost her husband in February.

She said of her moments in the hall yesterday: “It was one of the most memorable of my life but will take a few hours to sink in. It was very much worth the long wait, I’m very glad to have been through this experience.”

She was followed by Anne Daley, 65, who said: “Passing through Westminster Hall was very sorrowful. It was a shattering experience really, very upsetting. The crown and orb on top of the coffin were gleaming, and you just felt like singing Ave Maria when you were in there.

“The Yeomen guarding the coffin looked like statues. Everybody was still, you couldn’t hear anything, just total silence really, not even footsteps. We were in there for seconds, we walked in around and down. It’s something I will never ever forget.

“As I walked out, I looked back because I just couldn’t believe the silence.”

Anne was with her friend Grace Gothard, from London, who emerged in tears. She said: “It was very very sad. I’m sorry, I can’t talk. It reminded me of when my mum died. May she rest in peace.”

Following the women was Delroy Morrison, 61, who waited since Tuesday. He said: “I wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, emotionally, I must say. I managed to keep it together, but my stomach stiffened when I saw the coffin.

“I thanked our Queen for keeping her promise, she did very well over the years. We had about a minute in there and I’ve now said all that I wanted to say.

“I’ve paid my respects now. It was an honour and it was certainly worth the wait. I’d do it again, I’d walk on my hands and knees to pay my respects to our Queen.”

Life coach Harry Sardinas, 45, was among those padding silently by the coffin on the thick red carpet.

Harry – ticket number 16 – said: “It was a unique moment. It was very special to me, and it was beautiful when you were in there. You could feel the emotion in the room. The Queen’s coffin was very impressive, and the guards really stood out because they were dressed so sharp out of respect.”

A little later, mourner Helen O’Reilly, 55, said: “I really didn’t know what to expect but I surprised myself at how upset it made me. It’s the first time and the last time, sadly, that I’ve been so close to the Queen. It was an iconic moment.

“She was an icon and a role model for so many people around the world. When I was in there my heart skipped a beat, it almost felt like being winded. It was unbelievable.”

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to make their way to England’s capital this week to say goodbye to Her Majesty at Parliament’s Westminster Hall. By 8pm the queue wound for 2.4 miles from Lambeth Bridge to near Borough Market and is expected to grow. If necessary, the line will zig-zag across Southwark Park, nearly two miles away.

The wristband system to manage the queue allows those waiting to leave for short periods to spend a penny or buy food before returning. Organisers have 1,000 volunteers, stewards and police officers in place to shepherd the line – with more than 500 portable lavatories along the route.

St John Ambulance are also on hand. And more than 100 Scouts are working with the Samaritans to offer a friendly ear.

The charity’s chairman Keith Leslie said its volunteers would be there to “listen and support anyone who would like to talk openly about how they are feeling”. Scouts chief executive Matt Hyde called it an “honour”.

And venues along the queuing route, including the Southbank Centre, National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe, are opening longer so people can use their amenities.

The main line has step-free access with a separate route for the disabled running from Tate Britain. Guide dogs will be allowed inside Westminster Hall, with sign language interpreters also on hand.

Strict rules govern the size of bags allowed inside – and people have been asked to check before setting out.

Once inside the hall, visitors are allowed a few seconds with the Queen’s coffin, elevated on a catafalque and draped in the Royal Standard, topped with the Orb and Sceptre.

Those leaving and arriving in London for the lying-in-state and funeral have been warned that it is “impossible” to predict crowd sizes. Transport for London bosses say it is the “biggest event and challenge” in its history.

Passengers could face short-notice Tube station closures – and people have been asked to consider walking to their final destinations. Night trains and extra services are being scheduled – and engineering works postponed to allow smooth journeys.

Network Rail said: “Where possible, we will be running some extra services, including a very limited service operating through the night on some routes.”

National Highways has also acted to reduce strain for drivers. It said: “All closures for roadworks on motorways in and out of London will be paused until after the state funeral on Monday 19 September.

“All other closures on the motorway network nationally will be postponed for the duration of the extended bank holiday weekend. Existing roadworks will also be removed where possible.”

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