As Her Majesty the Queen embarks on her final journey south, many in Westminster are preparing to attend the Lying-in-State for the monarch. This will take place in Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster, at the heart of British government. The Queen will lie in state here for four full days before her funeral on Monday 19 September, allowing members of the public to file past and pay their respects.
The last member of the Royal Family to lie in state in the hall was the Queen Mother in 2002, when more than 200,000 people queued to view her coffin, all of whom had to wait hours in line to pay their last respects. Details of the Queen’s own Lying-in-State have been planned for years as part of the so-called ‘Operation Marquee’ but it is safely assured that the number of well-wishers will easily exceed the number that paid their respects to her late mother, 20 years ago.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in