Live updates: King Charles, William and Harry join queen’s coffin procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall

23m ago / 2:35 PM UTC

Biden speaks with King Charles III, White House says

President Joe Biden spoke with King Charles III to offer his condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the White House said in a readout Wednesday.

“The President recalled fondly the Queen’s kindness and hospitality, including when she hosted him and the First Lady at Windsor Castle last June. He also conveyed the great admiration of the American people for the Queen, whose dignity and constancy deepened the enduring friendship and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom,” the White House said.

Biden also “conveyed his wish to continue a close relationship with the King,” the statement added.

26m ago / 2:32 PM UTC

Charles departs service to chants of ‘God save the king’

King Charles and the queen consort have departed Westminster Hall, departing from New Palace Yard.

Shouts of “God save the king” could be heard as they drove off. The king could later be seen waving.

They will be traveling to either Buckingham Palace or Clarence House by car.

34m ago / 2:24 PM UTC

Archbishop of Canterbury opens service with a reading from the Bible

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby began the service at Westminster Hall with an opening prayer and reading from the Book of John, 14:1-6.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you,” it reads.

“I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

37m ago / 2:21 PM UTC

Queen Elizabeth’s coffin placed in Westminster Hall Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin is placed in Westminster Hall on Wednesday.Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

48m ago / 2:10 PM UTC

The queen’s coffin placed in Westminster Hall

The queen’s coffin has been carried into Westminster Hall to the somber sounds of a live choir.

The coffin is being placed on the catafalque, which is the raised platform the coffin rests on, by the Household Cavalry and the King’s Body Guard.

50m ago / 2:08 PM UTC

What music has been playing during the procession?

The procession carrying the queen’s coffin to Westminster Hall will be an unforgettable moment for many — and it comes with a soundtrack.

The Band of the Scots Guards and the band of the Grenadier Guards, one of the oldest military bands in the world, played at least six different funeral marches during the procession.

The marches that were expected to be played are:

Beethoven — Funeral March No.1

Beethoven — Funeral March No.3

Mendelsohn’s — Funeral March

Chopin’s — Funeral March

Beethoven — Funeral March No.2

52m ago / 2:06 PM UTC

The queen was not a gentle figurehead for many in former colonies

NEW DELHI — Just hours after the world learned that Queen Elizabeth II was dead, Twitter feeds across India exploded with angry demands for the repatriation of a precious diamond called the Kohinoor, which has become a symbol of Britain’s often bloody history of colonial conquest and rule.

The British government has denied stealing the Kohinoor diamond and has repeatedly refused to return it to India. And to millions across the Indian subcontinent, the diamond — one of the most famous in the world — has become a symbol of a colonial past.

The demands reflected anger over the history of colonization amid the outpouring of sympathy that followed Elizabeth’s death last Thursday at age 96. Among many residents of former British colonies, such as India and Kenya, the reaction to her death ranged from benign interest to anger and disdain.

At its height, the United Kingdom controlled the largest empire in history, ruling over an estimated 20% of the world’s population and occupying around a quarter of the Earth’s landmass. The era was marked by famines, massacres and grinding poverty in the resource-rich countries that were colonized by the British Empire.

Read full story here.

58m ago / 2:00 PM UTC

Mourners watch Queen Elizabeth’s coffin move along the Mall Crowds await the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday in London.Getty Images

1h ago / 1:51 PM UTC

What happens when queen’s coffin arrives at Westminster Hall?

The procession carrying the queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall is underway. Here’s what happens once the queen’s coffin arrives:

The coffin is set to enter the Palace of Westminster through New Palace Yard. It will then be carried to the catafalque by the Bearer Party, where the late monarch will lie in state.

King Charles, Princes William and Harry and other members of the royal family will follow the coffin into Westminster Hall, where a short service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, assisted by the Dean of Westminster.

Later, mourners will be able to file past and pay their respects, with thousands of people expected to make the journey to say farewell to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

1h ago / 1:50 PM UTC

‘Yogi’ the horse helps lead gun team carrying queen’s coffin

A horse affectionately known as Yogi is helping lead the gun team carrying queen’s coffin.

Capt. Amy Cooper, 31, was selected by the commanding officer of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery to lead the gun team, according to Britain’s defense ministry.

She is riding the horse, which has an official name of Lord Firebrand.

Cooper and her team were recently selected as the best gun team of 2021, and the queen presented the team with a silver plate, the defense ministry said.

1h ago / 1:49 PM UTC

Why Princes Andrew and Harry are not in military uniforms

As Prince Andrew walks beside King Charles III, Princess Anne and the Duke of Wessex in the funeral procession for his mother, he is the only one of the four siblings not to be wearing a military uniform.

The queen stripped Andrew of his military titles in January and a statement from the palace at the time said that he would no longer undertake royal duties. The decision came after a civil trial that accused him sexual abuse. He settled the case in February.

Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, not wearing military uniforms, walk behind the queen’s coffin as it leaves Buckingham Palace on Sept. 14, 2022.Chris Jackson / Getty Images

He will, however, wear his military uniform during a final vigil in Westminster Hall, according to the king’s spokesperson.

Walking behind his father and uncle, Prince Harry also did not appear in military uniform. He split from his family in February 2021, when he said he would no longer serve as a working member of the royal family, meaning he would stop participating in official duties.

1h ago / 1:44 PM UTC

Imperial State Crown sits atop coffin draped with Royal Standard Daniel Leal / Pool via Getty Images

The yellow and red Royal Standard flag draped Queen Elizabeth II’s casket as it traveled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday. On top of the adorned coffin sat the Imperial State Crown, which was placed on a purple velvet cushion alongside a wreath of flowers.

“The Imperial State Crown is the crown that the monarch wears as they leave Westminster Abbey after the coronation. It is also used on other state occasions including the annual state opening of Parliament,” according to the Historic Royal Palaces website.

The crown is made of gold and set with2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and 4 rubies, it states. It further includes some of the most famous jewels in the collection, including the Black Prince’s Ruby, the Stuart Sapphire and the Cullinan II diamond.

“St Edward’s Sapphire, set in the center of the topmost cross, is said to have been worn in a ring by St Edward the Confessor and discovered in his tomb in 1163,” according to the website.

1h ago / 1:40 PM UTC

King Charles and Prince William walk behind queen’s coffin Britain’s King Charles III and Prince William walk behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.Daniel Leal / AFP – Getty Images

1h ago / 1:34 PM UTC

King Charles and his siblings march in somber procession behind the queen

King Charles III and his three siblings marched in a silent and somber procession behind the queen’s coffin as it was taken from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where the queen will lie in state until her funeral Monday. 

Leon Neal / Getty Images

As thousands of mourners lined the route, Charles was joined by his sons, William and Harry, brothers Andrew and Edward and sister, Anne, and other members of the royal family and the military. 

Marching band music accompanied the procession, with Big Ben tolling at one-minute intervals and guns in Hyde Park fired.

1h ago / 1:30 PM UTC

Military members lead procession

The procession carrying the queen’s coffin to Westminster Hall is underway.

The coffin was pulled by The King’s Troops Royal Horse Artillery after being carried from the Bow Room in Buckingham Palace to the gun carriage. It will now be transported to Westminster Hall.

2h ago / 1:24 PM UTC

Read lying-in-state service of reception for queen

2h ago / 1:24 PM UTC

Over 1,000 stewards, volunteers and police on hand as thousands line up to pay respects

More than 1,000 stewards, volunteers, marshals and police will be on hand at any given time in London to help deal with the thousands of people expected to line up to pay their respects to the queen, according to No. 10 Downing St. officials.

Around 779 professional stewards will be on shift, assisted by around 100 volunteer marshals, 40 adult scouts, 30 members of the first aid nursing Yeomanry, in addition to police officers, officials said.

Members of the Red Cross will also be available to assist mourners, along with others, including sign language interpreters, they said.

2h ago / 1:21 PM UTC

Camilla outside Buckingham Palace Britain’s Camilla, the queen consort, arrives by car prior to the procession, which will carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London on Wednesday. Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP

2h ago / 1:20 PM UTC

Procession of queen’s coffin to get underway

The procession taking the queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall is about to get underway.

Union Flags line The Mall as police officers gather ahead of the procession for Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday in London.Leon Neal / Getty Images Units of the Household Cavalry and Household Division Foot Guards prepare at Buckingham Palace in central London on Wednesday, ahead of the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II.Daniel Leal / AFP – Getty Images

2h ago / 12:52 PM UTC

The Mall in London stands empty ahead of the queen’s procession Police officers take up positions along The Mall ahead of the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday in London.Victoria Jones / WPA Pool via Getty Images

2h ago / 12:43 PM UTC

Queen’s lying-in-state will be livestreamed

The BBC will air a dedicated livestream of the queen lying in state for those who want to pay their respects, but who will not be able to make the journey in person.

“The service will be offered globally for those who want to pay their respects but cannot travel to London or are physically unable to queue,” the broadcaster said.

The livestream will be available from 5 p.m. local time (12 p.m. ET) on a number of platforms, including the broadcaster’s homepage and internationally at bbc.com/news.

3h ago / 12:09 PM UTC

Petition calling for ‘Queen Elizabeth Day’ gains more than 100K signatures

A petition calling for “Queen Elizabeth Day” to be an annual bank holiday in the U.K. has gained more than 100,000 signatures.

The petition, launched on change.org, proposes that Sept. 8, the day the queen died, be made an annual holiday. As of early Wednesday, it had more than 117,000 signatures.

“Queen Elizabeth II is our longest reigning monarch, and arguably the nation’s, and the world’s most popular monarch,” the petition states.

“In the words of President Macron, ‘To you, she was your Queen, to us, she was THE Queen… the most constant symbol of Great Britain,'” it states.

3h ago / 11:54 AM UTC

A glimpse at Westminster Hall’s storied history

The queen’s subjects will get to pay their final respects to the late monarch in a building that has played a central role in Britain’s history.

Westminster Hall was built in 1097 under William II, the son of William the Conqueror, and completed two years later. At the time, it was the largest hall in England, and probably the largest in Europe.

William II wanted Westminster Hall to convey his power and majesty.Dan Kitwood / AP

It was here that King Charles I’s trial was held before he was executed in 1649. And it was here that King Charles III received the condolences of both houses of Parliament on Monday after the death of his mother.

At nearly 1,000 years old, Westminster Hall is the oldest building on the Parliamentary estate. Today, the Palace of Westminster serves as a meeting place for both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of Parliament.

3h ago / 11:48 AM UTC

Crowds line up to see queen’s coffin procession and say final farewell

Along the banks of the River Thames in Britain’s capital — past landmarks and despite gloomy skies — crowds have gathered ahead of the slow and somber royal procession that will take Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament.

Some of them have waited days to file past the late monarch when she lies in state under armed guard later in a continuous 24-hour operation at London’s historic Westminster Hall.

Vanessa Nanthakumaran was the first person to show up at the staging area across the river from Westminster Abbey, from which mourners are expected to file into the ancient building to say farewell to the only monarch most in the country will have ever known.

“I’m very happy that I’m going to be the first, but I didn’t set out to be the first,” said Nanthakumaran, 56, who said she is originally from Sri Lanka and now lives in London. She said she arrived at the spot near Lambeth Bridge around 11:30 a.m. local time (6:30 a.m. ET).

“I just wanted to pay my respects and I knew there would be a lot of people who felt the same.”

Read the full story here.

4h ago / 10:58 AM UTC

Preparations ahead of queen’s journey from Buckingham Palace Members of the Household Cavalry walk along The Mall ahead of the procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London on Wednesday. Victoria Jones / AP

4h ago / 10:52 AM UTC

Ursula von der Leyen remembers queen as a ‘legend’ in her state of the union address

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen remembered the queen’s ability to speak “to the soul of the whole world” in a state of the union address she delivered Wednesday.

“As we look around at the state of the world today, it can often feel like there is a fading away of what once seemed so permanent,” she said. “And in some way, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II last week reminded us of this.”

“She is a legend,” von der Leyen said. “She was a constant throughout turbulent and transforming events in the last 70 years, stoic and steadfast in her service.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen paid tribute to the queen during her state of the union address in Strasbourg, France, on Monday. Frederick Florin / AFP – Getty Images

The European Commission president said the queen “found the right words for every moment in time,” from the World War II to the Covid pandemic.

“When I think of the situation we are in today, her words at the height of the pandemic still resonate with me,” von der Leyen said.

“She said: ‘We will succeed — and that success will belong to every one of us.'”

5h ago / 10:27 AM UTC

Japan says emperor and empress ‘asked’ to attend funeral, no plans for Kishida to attend

The emperor and empress of Japan will be asked to represent the nation at the queen’s funeral, the country’s main government spokesperson said Wednesday.

There are, however, no plans for other officials, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, to attend the proceedings in London, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said during a routine press briefing.

“The royal family of the United Kingdom and the imperial family of Japan have always had a close relationship,” the spokesperson said. “In particular, Queen Elizabeth had exchanges across three generations during her 70 years on the throne with the Emperor Showa, Emperor Emeritus and His Majesty the Emperor.”

The final decision on whether the Japanese royals will be attending the funeral will be made Friday, Matsuno said.

5h ago / 10:00 AM UTC

King arrives at Buckingham Palace

The king has arrived at Buckingham Palace, where he will prepare to lead a procession taking the queen’s coffin from the palace to Westminster Hall. The queen will lie in state there for three days as people pay their respects.

A car appearing to carry the king could be seen heading up The Mall toward the palace after departing Clarence House, which has been his official residence for years.

Charles arrived to greetings from mourners and well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.Carl Court / Getty Images

A crowd waiting outside the palace cheered and waved as the new monarch arrived.

5h ago / 9:53 AM UTC

Indian president to attend queen’s funeral

Indian President Droupadi Murmu will attend the queen’s funeral next week on behalf of the country, India’s ministry of external affairs announced in a statement Wednesday.

“In the 70 years of reign of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, India-UK ties have evolved, flourished and strengthened immensely. She played an important role in the welfare of millions of people around the world as Head of the Commonwealth,” the statement read.

India, a former British colony, held a day of state mourning for the queen earlier this week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the queen as “a stalwart of our times” following her death.

World leaders from across the globe are expected to attend next Monday’s proceedings.

5h ago / 9:43 AM UTC

Tributes paid in Taiwan A man signs a book of condolence on the death of Queen Elizabeth II at British Office Taipei as the world reacts to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday.Annabelle Chih / Getty Images

6h ago / 9:19 AM UTC

5 million people tracked queen’s final flight, breaking record

A record-breaking five million people tracked the queen’s final flight as her coffin was flown from Edinburgh to London on Tuesday, according to Flightradar24, an online plane tracking platform.

“Between web, apps, and live stream, 5 million people followed the flight from Edinburgh to RAF Northolt on Flightradar24,” the platform tweeted, referring to the Royal Air Force flight carrying the queen’s coffin.

Up to six million people attempted to track the flight on the platform as the aircraft was taking off, but the influx of people destabilized the platform, according to a statement on its website.

“Based on our experience last month, we expected a large influx of users, but this immediate, massive spike was beyond what we had anticipated,” it added, referring to the over two million viewers who tracked U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s controversial flight to Taipei in early August.

6h ago / 9:02 AM UTC

Procession for queen evokes memories of Diana

As Princes William and Harry join their father, the king, in today’s procession taking the queen’s casket from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, many will be reminded of a similar walk the two brothers took 25 years ago, as they marked the death of their own mother, Princess Diana.

William and Harry followed Diana’s casket as it was driven through the streets of London during her funeral procession on Sept. 6, 1997.

From left: Prince Philip, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and Prince Charles bow their heads behind Diana’s casket during her funeral procession on Sept. 6, 1997. Robert Wallis / Corbis via Getty Images file

Harry later spoke about the distress he suffered during the procession, saying in a past interview with Newsweek: “No child should be asked to do that.” He said the events of that day can still overwhelm him.

William and Harry also walked in the funeral procession for Prince Philip, who died last year at age 99.

6h ago / 8:38 AM UTC

Hong Kongers line up for hours to sign condolences book for queen

Hundreds of mourners in Hong Kong lined up for hours in record heat this week outside the city’s British Consulate to pay their respects to the queen.

The British consulate in the former colony on Tuesday extended opening hours for the queen’s condolences book to accommodate “the exceptional numbers wishing to pay respects to Her Late Majesty,” it said in a tweet on Tuesday.

The consulate also advised mourners to bring water and wear “appropriate clothing” as the wait could extend over three hours.

Many in Hong Kong still feel an affinity to the British crown. The city was under British rule for over 150 years until it was handed back to Beijing in 1997.

7h ago / 8:27 AM UTC

Australia names Sydney square in honor of the queen

Australia has named a new square in central Sydney in honor of the queen’s life of service.

“We’re here to announce that where we are standing will become Queen Elizabeth II Place,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced at the site at Hyde Park Barracks on Tuesday.

“This is a great global city and we need to make the most of it, this plan will do that,” he added, saying the new plans will “commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II.”

Albanese will leave on Thursday for London to join other world leaders for the queen’s funeral next week.

7h ago / 8:26 AM UTC

Mourners join line to view Queen Elizabeth lying in state Members of the public join the queue to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral in London on Wednesday.Stefan Rousseau / AP

7h ago / 8:24 AM UTC

Route for mourners lining up to pay respects at the Palace of Westminster U.K. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Thousands of mourners are expected to line up today to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, who will lie in state at Westminster Hall until Monday.

The route for the approximately four-mile line will start at the Albert Embankment on the south side of the River Thames and continue all the way to Southwark Park, according to the U.K.’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, or DCMS.

Once mourners have passed through the start of the line, they’ll be led across Lambeth Bridge into Victoria Tower Gardens, where they’ll be put through airport-style security before they enter the palace. There will also be a separate accessible route for those who need it.

The state viewing will open to the public Wednesday at 5 p.m. (12 p.m. ET), and it will be open 24 hours a day until 6:30 a.m. Monday, when her funeral is expected to take place in Westminster Abbey.

Those planning to attend the viewing, especially those with medical conditions, “are encouraged to check the guidance, plan accordingly and be prepared for significant wait times, including possibly overnight,” DCMS said. Over 1,000 volunteers and Metropolitan Police officers will be on the ground to assist mourners and keep them safe, DCMS said.

7h ago / 8:17 AM UTC

What to expect on Wednesday

The queen’s coffin will be taken in a gun carriage procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where the late monarch will lie in state on Wednesday.

Princes William and Harry are expected to join their father, the king, in the procession, along with other senior members of the royal family. 

Big Ben is expected to toll at one-minute intervals throughout the duration of the procession, while guns in Hyde Park are expected to be fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. 

The Archbishop of Canterbury is expected to deliver a short service once the queen’s coffin arrives at Westminster Hall. 

Later, the public will be allowed into Westminster Hall to file past and pay their respects to the late queen, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to line up over the next four days.