LINING THE STREETS
Queue to pay tribute to Queen as she lies in state could reach 10 miles long – and it might close on SATURDAY night
MOURNERS hoping to pay their respects to the Queen could wait in queues up to ten miles long - and they could be turned away as early as Saturday.
Millions of people are expected to make their way to London this week to bid Her Majesty farewell as she lies in state at Westminster Hall.
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Queues could reach lengths of ten miles, with measures in place to support nearly seven miles of royal fans from Lambeth Bridge to Southwark Park.
If necessary, the park will accommodate an extra three miles of zig zag lines.
But it's not guaranteed everyone who makes the queue will get to see the Queen.
Mourners were seen queuing overnight with the line stretched as far back as London Bridge at 2am.
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Government sources have warned new entrants could be turned away at some point over the weekend when officials decide they won't make it in time, reports.
It has not been confirmed when this might be - but Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said waiting times could hit 30 hours.
It means mourners hoping to join the queue on Saturday or Sunday could be sent home, despite many travelling across the country to be there.
All ceremonial viewing areas for the procession of the Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall are already full, London’s City Hall said.
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And the number of people in the queue will be monitored towards the end of the lying in state period.
Entry to the line will also be paused for a time if the queuing infrastructure cannot take any more people.
There will be an element of self-policing when it comes to people keeping their places in the queue for the Queen’s lying in state, it is understood.
Those waiting in line will be given a coloured and numbered wristband, specific to each person, allowing them to leave for a reasonable amount of time.
It is thought people will know those around them in the line and be supportive when others need to step out.
Those hoping to offer their condolences to the Queen and be a part of history by viewing her coffin will be admitted until 6.30am on Monday.
Royal fans gathering in London to attend the procession of the Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall should have a dry afternoon after a cloudy morning.
The Met Office forecaster said it would be dry overnight with some clear spells, with a minimum temperature of 13C.
Monica Farag, 61, joined the queue of mourners wishing to pay their respects to the Queen at 8am on Tuesday morning.
Despite pouring rain outside Lambeth Palace where she found her spot, Ms Farag remained insistent that she would attend the Queen’s lying in state, saying: “I’m used to the British weather. I’m staying here overnight – I am not moving.”
Jacqueline Nemorin, who is 44th in the line, joined the queue to attend the lying in state at 6pm on Tuesday.
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She added that she managed “a little cat nap” at some point in the night, but the two people behind her in the queue “didn’t sleep at all”.
The late monarch’s lying in state in Westminster Hall opens to the public at 5pm on Wednesday and will be open 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on Monday September 19 – the day of the Queen’s funeral.
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