Crowds in London watch royal procession before Queen Elizabeth’s lying in state
- Britain’s longest-reigning monarch to lie in state for four days before funeral next Monday
- Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to file past her coffin at Westminster Hall
Gun salutes echoed out at Hyde Park and the bell at Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, rang every minute as the queen’s coffin proceeded with a military honour guard and police escort down The Mall, across the Horse Guards Parade and down Whitehall before ending at Parliament Square and the Houses of Parliament.
Thousands of people, some who had camped out overnight in the pouring rain for the best positions, lined the route, which was draped in Britain’s tricolour Union flag and soaked in bright sunlight as the procession was to slowly move past.
Many mourners stood silently as the procession filed by, while others took photos and videos with their mobile phones. It was a stark contrast to Tuesday evening when members of the crowd clapped and cheered as the queen’s coffin returned to Buckingham Palace.
Members of the royal family, except for Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, wore their military uniforms in the procession as the princes have stepped back from royal duties.