HISTORIC VIGIL
We’re royal fanatics and will queue for two days to see the Queen’s coffin
THREE women were last night at the front of the historic queue to see the Queen’s lying-in-state at Westminster Hall.
Vanessa Nanthakumaran was at the head of the line, Anne Daley second and her pal Grace Gothard third.
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Anne, 65, told The Sun: “I’m giving up two nights of comfort for someone who gave 70 years of tireless duty to the world — it’s nothing to give really.”
Officials yesterday warned the public to expect waits of up to 30 hours and four-mile queues to witness the Queen’s coffin.
Up to one million people are expected to descend on London hoping to be able to say a final goodbye to Her Majesty — but more than half could be disappointed.
It is thought the four-day ceremony — which begins today at 5pm — may only have capacity for around 350,000 mourners.
READ MORE ON THE QUEEN'S DEATH
Vanessa, 56, of Harrow, North London, said she found a comfy spot on the path to wait but admitted it had been “a bit chilly”.
Former air hostess Anne, from Cardiff, said: “I’m determined to stay in the queue and pay my quiet respects to Her Majesty.”
Ex-carer Grace, of Mitcham, South London, turned up without a coat, tent or chair but had a Union Jack to cover her shoulders.
She had a jar of marmalade with Paddington Bear on it, which she hopes to give to King Charles III.
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Grace, originally from Ghana, said she regarded the Queen as “my mum” because she was head of the Commonwealth.
She added: “I’ve been to royal events in the past, weddings and funerals. I was so upset about this, so I wanted to see her coffin.”
For hours, a group of just nine hardened royalists — who began arriving on Monday — had been the only ones patiently waiting south of London’s Lambeth Bridge.
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But as the day went on, others began to join the line — gathering before the official queue route was even published late last night.
Mourners from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world are expected to join the line.
It will form on the Albert Embankment, run along Belvedere Road behind the London Eye, and head on to the South Bank.
It will then follow the River Thames past the National Theatre, Tate Modern and HMS Belfast through to Southwark Park.
Celebrate her dignity
Once those going in have passed through Albert Embankment, they will be directed across Lambeth Bridge, into Victoria Tower Gardens and through airport-style security before entering the Palace of Westminster where there will be strict bag restrictions in place.
The main queue is step-free and there will be a separate accessible route for those who need it. That will begin at Tate Britain, where timed entry slots will be issued for a queue heading along Millbank to the Palace of Westminster.
Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other official assistance dogs will be permitted in Westminster Hall.
British Sign Language interpreters will also be available.
More than 1,000 volunteers, stewards and Met Police officers will be on hand to assist those queueing.
Each person joining the line will be issued with a coloured and numbered wristband to stop queue jumpers and allow a break for the toilet or refreshments.
I have no problem sleeping outside to pay my respects to a woman who has sacrificed so much of her own personal life.
Truus Nayman, 86
Extra public toilets and water fountains will be available at various locations along the route. Downing Street played down reports that many may miss out.
A No10 spokesman said yesterday: “Those sorts of decisions will really be made by those on the ground once we see the scale of people who are attending.”
But spirits were high among the early arrivals — as they lined up under grey clouds and drizzle.
Despite warnings not to second-guess the queue’s starting point, they arrived with sandwiches, flasks of coffee and umbrellas.
Mum-of-five Truus Nayman, 86, said she had no problem sleeping on the banks of the Thames to wait — and had a stash of Werther’s Originals to keep her going.
She said: “I moved to the UK in 1954 from Holland. I queued with my husband when Churchill died. I went to see the Queen Mother’s coffin. I came for Diana.
I served under Her Majesty in the Army. I just want to walk past and bow before her coffin.
Veteran soldier David Carlson
"I have no problem sleeping outside to pay my respects to a woman who has sacrificed so much of her own personal life.”
Veteran soldier David Carlson, of Wanstead, East London, said: “I’m prepared to sleep on the path.”
David, 75, who served with 2nd Royal Green Jackets, the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, in Malaysia, added: “I served under Her Majesty in the Army. I just want to walk past and bow before her coffin.”
Andrew Israels-Swenson, 55, said he had spent £4,500 to fly from Minnesota in the US to pay his respects because his British mum Zena, 82, was unable to travel.
American Andrew said: “My mum clung on to everything royal because it was the ultimate touchstone of Britishness. My mum raised us to see The Queen as an icon. It’s wonderful to celebrate her dignity.”
Mourners also put up tents as they took positions in The Mall ahead of today’s procession, which will see the Queen’s coffin moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster, starting at 2.22pm.
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Royal superfan John Loughrey and another, wearing a Union Jack jacket, held a banner with a picture of Queen Elizabeth II.
The procession will be shown on large screens at Hyde Park, from 11am. Access is free.
ANGER AT 24HR PARCS CLOSURE
Kara Godfrey
CENTER Parcs will close its five sites in England on Monday “as a mark of respect” for the Queen’s funeral — turfing out any guests.
Those part-way through their stay will be forced to spend the night elsewhere or go home early.
The plush woodland getaway firm said it “hopes our guests will understand” and would offer refunds.
But one guest said: “We are five families getting together. Where are we supposed to go for one night?” Another said: “Party of six including one toddler and one adult with special needs. Get kicked out of our accommodation at 10am Monday and can’t return until Tuesday.”
Other firms closing for the day include Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons and Primark. Some Sainsbury’s and Tesco convenience stores will stay open.
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