D-DAY+6 TO D-DAY+9

The queen lies in state at the Palace of Westminster in an operation codenamed Feather.

Her body lies on a raised box known as a catafalque, draped in purple, in the middle of Westminster Hall, which is open to the public for 23 hours a day.

The wreaths on the coffin are refreshed every day.

In 1936, the four sons of the queen’s grandfather George V revived The Prince’s Vigil, in which members of the royal family arrive unannounced and stand watch, and the queen’s children and grandchildren do the same.

Tickets are issued for VIPs so they have a time slot and at least 500 000 visitors are expected.