Wednesday, 27 Nov 2024

Queen's coffin arrives at Westminster Hall to lie in state until her funeral

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II has arrived at Westminster Hall where it will lie in state until her funeral on Monday.

Her Majesty was accompanied by her children and grandchildren as she left Buckingham Palace for the last time.

Pulled on a gun carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the coffin was draped with a Royal Standard and adorned with the priceless, glittering Imperial State Crown.

King Charles walked behind it alongside his sister, the Princess Royal, and his two brother, Princes Andrew and Edward, during the poignant 38-minute journey.

Behind them, Princes William and Harry walked side-by-side with the late monarch’s other grandson, Peter Phillips.

The Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Sussex and the Countess of Wessex followed in a cortege behind.

The Queen’s coffin was transported on the George Gun Carriage, which carried King George VI’s coffin from Sandringham Church to Wolferton Station in February 1952 and was used during the funeral of the Queen Mother in 2002.

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Tens of thousands of mourners flocked to see the moving sight of Her Majesty departing the official residence where she spent so much of her working life at the heart of the nation.

At Horse Guards Parade, many sobbed while applauding the coffin and procession as it entered the vast ceremonial parade ground, with the bells of Big Ben continuing to sound every minute.

Queen Elizabeth II dead: Latest updates

  • What happens next following the death of the Queen?
  • How long are the queues to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall likely to be?
  • Map shows how queue to see Queen’s coffin will snake through streets of London
  • Nationwide minute’s silence for The Queen at 8pm on Sunday

Follow Metro.co.uk’s live blog for the latest updates, and sign Metro.co.uk’s book of condolence to Her Majesty here.

Royal family members saluted as they made their way past the Cenotaph while the Duke of Sussex bowed his head.

The Duke of York turned his eyes to the right to look upon the Cenotaph as the procession made its way past.

The crowd outside Parliament applauded once the procession had passed through the gates into the Palace of Westminster.

The coffin was brought into the estate via the Carriage Gates entrance and passed through New Palace Yard, which features at its centre a fountain to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.

Reminders of the Queen’s long reign feature all around New Palace Yard.

In addition to the centre-piece fountain, two lampposts stand marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the outdoor area is overlooked by the Elizabeth Tower in one corner, which was previously called Clock Tower but was renamed for the Diamond Jubilee.

Accompanied by her family, the Queen is effectively being handed over to the nation for her lying in state over four days ahead of the state funeral on Monday.

Hundreds of thousands more are expected to endure queues of up to 10 miles in order to pay their respects to Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

Up to 750,000 people are expected to endure 10-mile queues to see the Queen’s coffin from 5pm this evening.

Shortly after the arrival of the coffin at Westminster Hall, US President Joe Biden said he had spoken to the King to offer his condolences on the death of his mother.

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