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.

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.

Members of the royal family 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.

Thousands of people have already taken their spots in the queue to pay their last respects.

The line has the capacity to stretch back 10 miles, with no guarantee that everyone who joins it will get to file past the late monarch’s coffin.

Nevertheless, people are turning out in droves for the opportunity to say a personal farewell ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday.

Doors are set to open at 5pm on Wednesday, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is running a live queue tracker to pinpoint the end of the line which can be found here.

At 4pm, the tracker showed the queue was around 2.2 miles long, stretching past Blackfriars Bridge in Southwark near Tate Modern.

To help avoid disappointment, it is understood that entry to the back of the queue may be closed early, although it is too early to estimate when that moment might come.

Numbers will be monitored towards the end of the lying in state period, which must be completed by 6.30am on September 19, to ensure as near as possible that those already waiting are able complete their visit.

One member of the public broke into tears after being asked about the Queen’s procession.

Patricia, from Canvey Island, Essex, said just outside the Palace of Westminster: ‘I just had to be here. I am 75. I remember her Coronation.

‘I just had to be here to say goodbye. It was a lovely procession.’

Patricia, who left her home at 6am to be able to see the Queen’s coffin walk past, added: ‘Charles is going to make a wonderful King.’

Clive Harris, 55, left West Bromwich at 6am to attend the procession.

Mr Harris, who served in the Queen’s Royal Lances, said: ‘She was my boss but she was also everybody’s granny – she was that important to the country.

‘I was in one of her regiments and my parents grew up with the Queen too, so it’s important for them to be here as well.’

Mr Harris witnessed the procession from Horse Guards Parade, with the King following the coffin on foot with members of the royal family.

‘I’ve been really impressed with him,’ Mr Harris said of the new monarch.

‘He’s just lost his mum. To go on television and talk so eloquently – I think he’s been brilliant.’

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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