New information has been released for the Queen’s state funeral, with the doors of Westminster Abbey opening in preparation for the coming congregation from 08:00 BST on Monday 19 September.
The State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy, drawn by 142 sailors, will carry her coffin from Westminster Hall to the Abbey for the service, which begins at 11:00.
More than 2,000 guests are expected to be there and a national two minutes silence will be held as the service ends, just before noon.
Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, members of the public were permitted to continue filing past the Queen’s coffin while the royal siblings stood vigil. Buckingham Palace hasn’t confirmed if the same will happen at Westminster, but it’s expected it will.
The contrast could not be more noticeable, after the sociability and chatter of the queues, the atmosphere suddenly changes when people arrive at Westminster Hall.
The vast medieval space is silent, and from the top of the stone steps, people get to see Queen Elizabeth’s coffin for the first time.
Raised high on a platform, draped with a Royal Standard, framed by four candles. At each corner, a guard – still and silent.
And filing slowly past on either side is the public.
Families with children. Those who have come on their own. The very old and the very young. All sharing a collective moment of private reflection.
Nothing is rushed. Many bow when they reach the late Queen’s coffin, others curtsy.
One woman blew a gentle kiss.
But everyone takes a couple of seconds to pay his or her own personal tribute, before walking back out into the daylight. Many were seen wiping tears from their cheeks.
