Public enters Westminster Hall to pay respects as Queen Elizabeth lies in state – latest updates

Westminster Hall opens to public

The doors of Westminster Hall have now been opened to allow the public to pay their respects to the Queen.

The Queen’s coffin was taken to the hall in a procession from Buckingham Palace this afternoon.

She will now lie in state until 6.30am on Monday, when the coffin will be taken to nearby Westminster Abbey for the funeral.

As of 5pm, a government tracker said the queue was 2.8 miles long.

From Westminster Hall, the queue extends south and crosses Lambeth Bridge before turning north and snaking up the South Bank, ending just after London Bridge.

Thousands of people queue in London to see Queen’s lying in state – video

Updated at 12.08 EDT

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Pictures show leaders and deputy leaders from the country’s political parties lined up in Westminster Hall this afternoon.

The prime minster, Liz Truss, and Labour leader, Keir Starmer, stood alongside Kirsten Oswald of the SNP and Ed Davey of the Lib Dems. Also visible are Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP, Ben Lake of Plaid Cymru, Colum Eastwood of the SDLP, and Caroline Lucas of the Greens.

Photograph: WPA/Getty Images

Updated at 12.30 EDT

Westminster Hall opens to public

The doors of Westminster Hall have now been opened to allow the public to pay their respects to the Queen.

The Queen’s coffin was taken to the hall in a procession from Buckingham Palace this afternoon.

She will now lie in state until 6.30am on Monday, when the coffin will be taken to nearby Westminster Abbey for the funeral.

As of 5pm, a government tracker said the queue was 2.8 miles long.

From Westminster Hall, the queue extends south and crosses Lambeth Bridge before turning north and snaking up the South Bank, ending just after London Bridge.

Thousands of people queue in London to see Queen’s lying in state – video

Updated at 12.08 EDT

Emine Sinmaz

Cheryl Thomas set off from Crowthorne, Berkshire, at 5.30am, and had a prime position for the procession at the front of the barrier.

Fighting back tears, the 75-year-old said: “I thought the procession was wonderful, it made me cry. People were respectful and I’m glad there was no shouting.

“I was particularly emotional because I saw the coronation, and the Queen has been with me my whole life. It’s very sad.

“I can’t stop crying. I Ioved the way the Queen didn’t let politics get in the way, she was very cheerful, and she was good for the nation.”

President Biden has offered his condolences to the King, telling him that the Queen’s “dignity and constancy” helped strength the relationship between the US and the UK.

The White House readout of the call said: “President Joseph R Biden, Jr spoke today with King Charles III to offer his condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

“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.

“President Biden conveyed his wish to continue a close relationship with the King.”

Updated at 11.22 EDT

King Charles III led a procession behind the Queen’s coffin as it began its journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where it will lie in state.

He was accompanied by Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward and other members of the royal family including Prince William and Prince Harry. The coffin was pulled on a gun carriage of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, draped in the royal standard.

Royal family members walk behind Queen’s coffin along the Mall in London – video

The Foreign Office has continued to prune its invitation list for the Queen’s funeral on Monday revealing neither Syria, nor Venezuela will be asked to the ceremony. As a sign of disapproval the de facto authority in Afghanistan, the Taliban have also been left off the invitation list.

North Korea and Nicaragua – with which the UK has ice cold diplomatic relations – are being asked at ambassadorial level, a signal of disapproval that has already been sent to Iran. Tehran has been told it has been invited at ambassadorial level.

The foreign office has also let it be known to heads of state that if they are unable to attend in person they can delegate the invitation. All holders of the George Cross and Victoria Cross are also being invited to attend.

In the 14 realms, those states that have the Queen as head of state, invitations have been sent to the prime minister, and partner, the Governor General and High Commissioner( the equivalent of an ambassador). Each realm has also been granted permission to choose 10 other dignitaries of their choice to attend.

The closing date for RSVPs is tomorrow, and the precise guest list is likely to be revealed tomorrow.

Officials are still working on a seating plan that will reflect seniority and status. Arrangements are also being made for VIPs to visit the Queen’s coffin to pay their personal respects over the weekend.

A dress rehearsal of the arrivals by car is due to be held on Thursday evening.

Foreign Office staff will also organise a condolences book for VIPs to sign at Lancaster House. The foreign secretary James Cleverly will host a reception for guests at nearby Church House immediately after the service.

The coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth II rests in Westminster Hall for the lying-in-state. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, adorned with a royal standard and the imperial state crown. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images King Charles III; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex; Prince William, Prince of Wales; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; Camilla, Queen Consort; Sir Timothy Laurence; Mr Peter Phillips; Sophie, Countess of Wessex; Catherine, Princess of Wales; Meghan, Duchess of Sussex; Princess Beatrice and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images

Updated at 11.55 EDT

Geneva Abdul

“I felt so moved,” said Shirley Negal, 66, as she sat front row watching the procession.

Negal made her way to Buckingham Palace from Kent at 4am. Her parents went to the Queen’s coronation, and she felt she should come and represent her family, she said.

“We sat here and we could hear the music and feel the power from it and the whole crowd was silent, it was so beautiful, it was so moving,” she said. “You can’t get that feeling from the television.”

“I feel very thoughtful, it’s very thought-provoking,” she added. “It’s made me feel that the family are grieving in front of the eyes of the world and that must be so hard for them, but I’m glad I came to pay my respects.”

Updated at 10.43 EDT

The King and members of the royal family have now left Westminster Hall following the service.

During the service, the senior royals stood in formation facing the coffin. The King and Queen Consort stood together, with the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence behind them, then the Duke of York alone, and in the next row the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Behind them were the Prince and Princess of Wales, with the Duke of Sussex behind William, and the Duchess of Sussex directly behind Kate.

King Charles III; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex; Prince William, Prince of Wales; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; Camilla, Queen Consort; Sir Timothy Laurence; Mr Peter Phillips; Sophie, Countess of Wessex; Catherine, Princess of Wales; Princess Beatrice and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

In a moment, Westminster Hall will be closed for approximately an hour before members of the public are allowed to enter to pay their respects to the Queen.

The queue of mourners waiting to see the Queen’s lying-in-state has stretched beyond Blackfriars Bridge and has reached the Tate Modern gallery.

Updated at 10.36 EDT

Geneva Abdul

“It was very moving. I’ve been close to tears, still am,” said Janet Elizabeth Rockley, wearing a red hat with a union jack trim.

“It was very solemn, very quiet, and I think that showed a great deal of respect for her.”

Rockley, originally from Nottingham, came from her London apartment this morning and secured a front-row seat looking through the barriers onto the procession.

She was born months before the coronation and takes her middle name after the late monarch. And she’s proud, she said, of what the Queen has done with the commonwealth, in unifying people.

“I think her principles, her values, the integrity and decency, I’ve tried to follow all my life, and I’ve been very proud to call her my Queen,” she said.

During the service, we heard from the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, followed by the dean of Westminster, David Hoyle.

Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/AFP/Getty Images

The cross of Westminster has been placed on the Queen’s coffin inside Westminster Hall. Also on the coffin lies the imperial state crown, worn by the Queen when she left Westminster Abbey after her coronation. It was also used on other state occasions, including the state opening of parliament.

Made of gold, the imperial crown is set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls and four rubies. It contains some of the crown jewels’ most famous pieces, including the Black Prince’s Ruby, the Stuart Sapphire, and the Cullinan II diamond.

Updated at 10.35 EDT

Aubrey Allegretti

Watching on from balconies, clambering up walls and stood dedicatedly for hours in the street, thousands clapped and shouted “hip hip hooray” as the Queen’s coffin finished its journey down Whitehall.

Some in the crowd were wearing berets and medals, many others with small, patriotic adornments to their outfits.

As the sun glinted through the trees lining the Queen’s final passage before the lying-in-state, MPs and Foreign Office staff watched on from their terraces.

A hushed silence from the crowd was punctuated only by the sound of marching and musicians accompanying the coffin.

Police stayed with their backs turned, guarding the procession, which remained entirely peaceful and subdued until it turned out of sight into the Palace of Westminster, when applause broke out.

Updated at 10.21 EDT

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried during a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Photograph: Felipe Dana/AP Prince William, Prince of Wales (C) and Britain’s Princess Anne, Princess Royal walk behind the coffin, Photograph: Reuters Camilla, Queen Consort and Catherine, Princess of Wales, depart Buckingham Palace Photograph: WPA/Getty Images The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Sussex and Peter Phillips walk behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

The Queen’s coffin has been placed on the catafalque in Westminster Hall to lie in state until her funeral on Monday morning.

A service has now begun, led by the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

Updated at 10.16 EDT

The Queen’s coffin was brought into the estate of the Palace of Westminster via the Carriage Gates entrance and passed through New Palace Yard.

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

The coffin is now being carried inside the Palace of Westminster.

Updated at 10.16 EDT

Geneva Abdul

“It’s a very, very moving time,” said Dilip Gunawardena, 73, who came from Herefordshire to stand among the crowds as the procession passed.

“It is respect to the lady, the mum, she was a charming lady, we will never be able to replace her,” he said. “I’m glad that I came, I fulfilled what I wanted to do.”

Originally, Gunawardena’s plan was to queue for Westminster Hall but he had a change of heart due to the long wait. “I’m not that young either,” he quipped.

“I come from Sri Lanka, and have been settled here from 1974,” said Gunawardena, who was also present for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. “It’s two different scenarios, but on both occasions it was great and humble.”

Updated at 10.17 EDT

Queen arrives at Palace of Westminster

The procession of the Queen’s coffin has arrived at the Palace of Westminster.

The coffin will now be placed on the catafalque with a short service held by the Archbishop of Canterbury to follow.

After a service lasting around 20 minutes, the Queen’s lying in state will begin, lasting for four days and ending on the morning of the state funeral on 19 September.

The King and the Queen Consort will return to Buckingham Palace.

(Left-right) Prince William, Prince of Wales; King Charles III; Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Photograph: Karwai Tang/WireImage Britain’s King Charles III Photograph: Reuters William, Prince of Wales, marches during the procession. Photograph: Maja Smiejkowska/Reuters

Updated at 10.18 EDT

The Queen’s coffin travels from Buckingham Palace to parliament after flying from Edinburgh to Northolt on Tuesday.

Queen’s coffin arrives at parliament after royal procession from Buckingham Palace – watch live