Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Thousands pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II
THOUSANDS TOOK PART IN FOUR-DAY VIGIL
THOUSANDS of people have made their way into Parliament’s Westminster Hall over four days to see the Queen lying in state.
Members of the public were able to see the Queen’s coffin until 6.30am on Monday, September 19. Tens of thousands of people lined the streets to view the march to Westminster Hall where Queen Elizabeth II lay in state.
Viewing areas for the public along the route opened at 11am last Wednesday, with large crowds in attendance.
The King followed the coffin on foot, joined by his sons the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex, as well as the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex. The Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, the Countess of Wessex and the Duchess of Sussex travelled by car.
At Westminster Hall, a service that lasted around 20 minutes was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury accompanied by the Dean of Westminster. Thousands watched on in Central London as the late monarch’s coffin was pulled by horse and gun carriage through the streets from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.
Over the following four days the coffin lay in state in the centre of the hall, which was open to the public to visit and pay their final respects before the funeral took place on Monday September 19.
The first visitors were let in to pay their final respects to Queen Elizabeth at 5pm last Wednesday and the stream of those coming and going did not stop for four days straight.
The British Film Institute (BFI) set up a big screen showing clips from documentaries about the Queen’s life to those waiting in the queue. One of the mourners, Kelley Craig, travelled from Rainham, Essex. The 51-year-old came draped in a Union Jack to pay her final respects to the late monarch who died on September 8 aged 96.
She said: “It’s the last chance to say hello and goodbye. I would have kicked myself if I hadn’t come down. I’ve come on my own and I’m paying respects on behalf of all my family. The Queen was England to me. She was someone to look up to – the ultimate British chick; the ultimate symbol of girl power.”
Mourners spoke of the quiet atmosphere in Westminster Hall
Lena and Sarah, mothers of two Royal Marine Commandos, spoke to the BBC after seeing the Queen lying in state. Sarah said it was “beautifully quiet” in Westminster Hall.
Lena added: “As soon as I was at the top of the stairs, the impact - it freezes you. That’s when the moment gets to you, you just break”.
Other mourners told the BBC that they had come to “bear witness to a momentous moment in history”. One woman had come all the way from Montreal in Canada at an estimated cost of £5,270.
As they leave Westminster Hall, well-wishers are sharing the unique experience within.
James Cross, 65, told the Press Association: “It’s just like the only person that’s there is you. You walk in and you could hear a pin drop.”
Amy Harris, 34, described the atmosphere in Westminster Hall as “breathtaking”.
She said: “When you’re able to go in and have a moment to look at it and reflect… The serenity of it – to be able to pay your respects in such a serene place, it’s very peaceful.”
It’s just like the only person that’s there is you. You walk in and you could hear a pin drop. James Cross