Unseen photos of the Queen’s exhausted beefeaters show them relaxing after standing guard around her Majesty’s coffin.

The sneaky snaps show the yeoman of the guard sitting in their red trousers in chairs from the House of Lords between shifts.

Her Majesty’s coffin has been guarded for 24 hours a day since last Thursday, while she lies in state.

The coffin –  which is adorned by the Royal Standard – is resting on a raised platform called a catafalque within Westminster Hall.

Each corner is guarded by soldiers from units that serve the Royal Household, including three ceremonial units.

The Gentlemen at Arms, the Royal Company of Archers and the Yeomen of the Guard, have stood guard throughout the vigil, switching places every 20 minutes.

There has also been a number of special vigils from the Queen’s children and grandchildren, including King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry.

The behind-the-scenes photos show some of the guards relaxing, while others show them putting on their military uniform ahead of taking part in the vigil.

In one photo a guard can be seen having a nap whilst his colleagues get ready to go to work.

Queen Elizabeth II dead: Latest updates

• Live tracker shows how long the queue is to see Queen lying in state
• What happens next following the death of the Queen?
• What time is the Queen’s funeral and where is it taking place?
• Nationwide minute’s silence for The Queen at 8pm on Sunday
• Drivers told ‘avoid central London’ with major road closures for Queen’s funeral

Head to Metro.co.uk’s Queen Elizabeth II tag page for the latest updates, and sign Metro.co.uk’s book of condolence to Her Majesty here.

Earlier this week one of the guards on duty collapsed while standing on the podium around the Queen’s coffin.

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