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SOLEMN VIGIL

Brits can see the Queen’s coffin as up to a million set to file past during four full days of lying in state

A MILLION mourners are expected to visit the Queen's coffin during her four days lying in state.

The figure is five times more than the 200,000 people who paid respects to the Queen Mother in 2002.

Members of the Royal Family guarded the Queen Mother's coffin
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Members of the Royal Family guarded the Queen Mother's coffinCredit: Alamy
King Charles at his grandmother's lying in state in 2002
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King Charles at his grandmother's lying in state in 2002Credit: Getty

And two million people are expected to gather in London's streets every day until she is laid to rest.

The Queen's body will lie in state for four full days from arriving at Westminster Hall on Wednesday until the morning of her funeral.

Details on how to attend will be released in the coming days but it is expected to operate on a first come first served basis.

A Whitehall source told : "We will open the queue and control it through the normal way.

READ MORE ON THE QUEEN'S DEATH

"It is like trying to organise something on a similar scale to the London Olympics in a matter of days.”

Soldiers will guard the coffin around the clock as the streams of mourners file past.

Members of the Royal Family are also expected to take turns standing guard in a tradition known as the Vigil of the Princes.

Prince Edward and Charles both stood watch guarding the Queen Mother's coffin in 2002.

Foreign dignitaries are among those expected to visit Her Majesty.

Today the Queen will begin her final journey as the coffin is moved from Balmoral Castle to Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

King Charles III will then travel with the coffin to the city's St Giles' Cathedral.

It is expected she will lie in state there for 24 hours, allowing .

Princess Anne will accompany her body from Edinburgh Airport to RAF Northolt on Tuesday evening.

It will be driven to Buckingham Palace before a procession on Wednesday taking it through London's streets to Westminster Hall.


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Her Majesty will lie in state for four full days until 6.30am next Monday, the day of her funeral.

Yesterday the King was officially declared monarch in an historic ceremony.

He paid tribute to his mother for giving "an example of lifelong love and of selfless service" and vowed to follow her lead.

His Majesty told the Accession Council: "My Mother’s reign was unequalled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion.

"Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life."

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The ancient ceremony was televised for the first time and ended with trumpeters playing the national anthem.

The King was then driven back to Buckingham Palace past cheering crowds.

Her Majesty's body will leave Balmoral Castle tomorrow
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Her Majesty's body will leave Balmoral Castle tomorrowCredit: Instagram
King Charles was formally declared monarch today
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King Charles was formally declared monarch todayCredit: PA
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