How you’ll be able to visit the Queen lying in state in London to pay your respects

2022-09-11

Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away on Thursday 8 September at Balmoral Castle, and her funeral is set to be held on Monday 19 September.

The Royal Family released a statement announcing Her Majesty's funeral arrangements on 10 September, confirming that it will take place at Westminster Abbey.

The Queen's coffin had remained at Balmoral for two days while her staff paid their respects, and on Sunday 11 September her coffin set off on the first stage of the journey to Her Majesty's final resting place.

The Queen's coffin will first travel to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and then in a procession to St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh. Following this, her coffin will be flown back to Buckingham Palace in London, accompanied by Princess Anne.

It will then be taken in procession on a Gun Carriage of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery to the Palace of Westminster, where she will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four days, allowing members of the public to pay their respects to the late monarch.

During the lying-in-state period, the coffin rests on a raised platform in the middle of Westminster Hall and each corner of the platform is guarded around the clock by units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, Foot Guards or the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.

According to Operation London Bridge, Westminster Hall will be open for 23 hours a day for the lying-in-state period, closing only between 2.46am and 3.46am.

A ceremonial route will be marked throughout London as Queen Elizabeth II's coffin is transported from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster on 14 September.

Her Majesty will remain at Westminster from 14 September until until 6.30am on 19 September, when she will then be taken to Westminster Abbey for her state funeral.

The Royal Family announced Queen Elizabeth II's funeral arrangements on Saturday, releasing a statement which read: "The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19th September.

"Prior to the State Funeral, The Queen will Lie-in-State in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects."

In the UK, lying-in-state is given to the Sovereign, as Head of State, the current or past Queen Consort and sometimes, former Prime Ministers.

People who have previously laid-in-state at Westminster include Queen Mary, King George VI, Sir Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother.

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