Joint patrols in Pacific

Melbourne: The Russian and Chinese navies are holding joint patrols in the Pacific Ocean, the Russian defence ministry said yesterday, deepening military and diplomatic ties between Moscow and Beijing.

A ministry statement on Telegram said crews from both sides were conducting joint tactical manoeuvres and carrying out exercises involving artillery and helicopters.

‘‘The tasks of the patrols involve the strengthening of naval cooperation between Russia and China, upholding peace and stability in the AsiaPacific region, coastal monitoring and safeguarding Russian and Chinese nautical economic sites,’’ it said. — Reuters

LONDON: Mourners from all walks of life filed past the coffin of the Queen through the night as she lay in state in London’s Westminster Hall, paying their final respects before her funeral on Monday.

After days of processions and ritual as the queen’s body was brought to London from Balmoral, Scotland, where she died last Friday at the age of 96, this was the opportunity for ordinary people to take a direct part in a ceremony. Many were in tears as they passed the flagdraped coffin.

Officials expect about 750,000 people to view it before the lying in state ends at 6.30am on Monday (local time).

The line stretched back several kilometres along the south bank of the River Thames, past landmarks such as Tower Bridge and a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, crossing Lambeth Bridge as it neared Westminster Hall. People waited many hours.

Thomas Hughes (20), who waited nearly 14 hours with his brother, said finally viewing the coffin was quite overwhelming.

‘‘You do it all because you want to pay respect to this lady . . . and I think when you put yourself through that, and then you get to the moment you’re waiting for you are just that little bit more emotional,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a very powerful thing.’’ Most were Britons, but some were from overseas. They were young and old, and included former soldiers in military medals and babies being carried by their parents. Many stopped by the coffin to bow their head. Others wiped away tears.

Some were there to represent elderly parents, others to witness history and to thank a woman who, having ascended the throne in 1952, was still holding official government meetings just two days before she died.

The Queen’s coffin lay in the centre of Westminster Hall on a purple catafalque placed on a red platform. It was covered by the Royal Standard flag and topped with the Imperial State Crown placed on a cushion, alongside a wreath of flowers.

Soldiers and ‘‘Beefeaters’’ — the redcoated warders usually found guarding the Tower of London — stood vigil with bowed heads.

Among the first inside was Kenneth Taylor (72), from Reading, who had come with a neighbour and stayed overnight in a tent in the queue.

Tearing up, Taylor said that on seeing the Queen lying in state, he felt sad. ‘‘A lump came to my throat.’’

‘‘You know, we’ve lost someone special. Her service to this country was really steadfast and unswerving. And she’s probably what I would call the queen of queens.’’

Danielle Harbron (49), from Derbyshire, said: ‘‘I was expecting to walk through blubbering, and walk out the other end, blubbering, and it was just a really, really surreal sensation, very strange.’’

The casket had been brought to the hall from Buckingham Palace atop a gun carriage and escorted by soldiers in scarlet