In London mourners filed past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II through the night and paid their final respects to Britain’s longest–reigning monarch before her funeral on Monday, 19 September, as reported by news agency Reuters.
After days of processions and ritual as the queen’s body was brought to London from Balmoral, Scotland, where she died last Thursday, 8 September, at the age of 96, this was the opportunity for ordinary people to take a direct part in a ceremony.
The line stretched back several miles along the south bank of the river Thames and people were waiting for hours to be able to pay their final respect to the queen.
The casket had been brought to the hall from Buckingham Palace atop a gun carriage and escorted by soldiers in scarlet ceremonial uniforms in a solemn procession on Wednesday, 14 September, afternoon.
King Charles III, his sons Princes William and Harry and other senior royals walked behind the coffin.
The two princes united in grief despite a rift between them.
William and his wife Kate to travel to the royal residence of Sandringham in eastern England on Thursday, 15 September, to view floral tributes left there by members of the public.
The full–scale ceremonial procession on the day of the queen’s funeral on Monday, 19 September, is likely to be one of the biggest the country has ever witnessed and will pose a huge security challenge.
Royalty, presidents and other world leaders are expected to attend, although certain nations, including Russia, Afghanistan, and Syria, were not extended invites, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. President Joe Biden.