LONDON (AP) — All eight of Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren observed a moment of silence by her coffin on Saturday, marking another big day when thousands came to pay their respects to the monarch. Wrapped up. Many stood in line for up to 16 hours, enduring the coldest London nights in months.
A wave of people wanting to say goodbye flooded Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament, where the Queen’s coffin lay, dressed in royal standards and crowned with diamonds. Their numbers have risen steadily since general admission was first allowed on Wednesday, with lines meandering around Southwark Park and stretching for at least 5 miles (8 km).
King Charles III and eldest son Prince William made an unannounced visit on Saturday in honor of perseverance, greeting and shaking hands with those waiting in line in front of Elizabeth’s coffin and standing in line near Lambeth Bridge. I thanked the mourners lined up for the
Prince Charles’ sons, Princes William and Harry, were joined by Princess Anne’s children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Two children of Prince Edward – Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
William, now heir to the throne, bows and stands at the head of the coffin, while Harry stands at its feet.
The mourners passed in silence while the grandchildren stood guard.
Having served in Afghanistan as a British Army officer, Harry was no longer a member of the royal family, so he wore plain clothes during the Queen’s coffin procession from Buckingham Palace. , immigrated to the United States in 2020. However, the King requested that both William and Harry wear military uniforms at the Westminster Hall gathering.
Before the all-nighter, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie released a statement praising their “beloved grandma.”
“We, like many, thought you would be here forever. And we all miss you. You are our patriarch and I You were our guide and the loving hand behind our backs that guided us through this world. You taught us so much and we will cherish those lessons and memories forever. .
People queuing to meet the Queen are of all ages and come from a variety of occupations. Many people bowed in front of the coffin and made signs of the cross. Several veterans flashed their medals in the spotlight and gave a sharp salute. some cried. Others kissed. Many hugged away and were proud to have lined up for hours to pay their respects.
Volunteers handed out blankets and tea to people in line on a night when the temperature dropped to 6 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit). Despite the weather, mourners described the warmth of the shared experience.
“It was cold at night, but I had great company and met new friends. The friendships were great,” said Chris Harman of London. “It was worth it. I’ve done it over and over again. I’ll walk to the ends of the earth for my Queen.”
People had different reasons, from their love for the Queen to their desire to be part of a historic moment. Simon Hopkins, who traveled from his home in central England, likened it to a “pilgrimage”.
“(It’s) a little weird, because that sort of thing goes against my grain,” he said. “I’m kind of drawn into it.”
The public turned to Westminster Hall as Queen Elizabeth’s four children, Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, stood guard for 15 minutes around a flag-draped coffin on Friday night. It flowed quietly. Only the baby’s cry was heard.
Ahead of the memorial service, Edward said the royal family was “overwhelmed by the wave of emotion that has overwhelmed us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their love, admiration and respect for our dear Mama. It is done.”
Officials closed a separate line for people with disabilities on Saturday, saying all available spaces had been allocated.
Police arrested a man Friday night on suspicion of violating public order and morals. Congressional officials said someone had gotten out of the queue and tried to get close to the coffin.
Tracy Holland told Sky News that her 7-year-old niece, Darcy Holland, was thwarted by a man who tried to “run up to the coffin, lift the standard, and I don’t know what I was going to do.” She said police detained the man in “two seconds.”
The lying state continued until early Monday morning, when the Queen’s coffin was taken to nearby Westminster Abbey for a state funeral, marking the finale of ten days of national mourning for Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Elizabeth, aged 96, died at Balmoral House in Scotland on September 8, after 70 years on the throne.
US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden flew to the UK on Sunday.Hundreds of heads of state, royal families and political leaders from around the world will come to London to attend the funeral.Prince Charles On Saturday, he had an audience with the next prime minister, the governor-generals of each kingdom, and military leaders.
After monastery services on Monday, the late Queen’s coffin will be hauled through London’s historic center in a horse-drawn carriage. She will then be taken in her hearse to Windsor where she will be buried with her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year.
Hundreds of British Army, Air Force and Navy troops rehearsed early Saturday morning for their final march. As I walked in front of me, the sound of drums echoed.
According to London Police, the funeral will be the largest single police event ever handled by police, surpassing the 2012 Summer Olympics and the Platinum Jubilee, which celebrated the Queen’s 70th anniversary in June. That’s what I mean.
Follow AP coverage of Queen Elizabeth II at https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii.
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