Queen lying in state in London - how to queue and where will Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin rest?

The dates and times have been announced for when you can see Her Majesty Lying-in-State.

With an official announcement of when the state funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II declaring that Monday September 19 2022, the coffin of the the longest reigning monarch in British history will spend a period at the Palace of Westminster, London for a period of Lying-in-State.

The coffin will reside inside Westminster Hall from midweek with a wait time estimated at this stage at ten hours, with wristbands to be handed to those wishing to pay their respects in order to avoid congestion.

In what is going to be a full scale security operation for Met Police and hundreds of thousands expected to travel to London over the six days the coffin will lay-in-state, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport have already set out a timetable and guidelines for the historic occasion.

Here are all of the details available so far regarding paying respects as The Queen is Lying-in-State.

Where will people be able to see The Queen lying in state?

Her Majesty The Queen’s closed coffin will rest on a raised platform, which is called a catafalque, inside Westminster Hall in the Palace of Westminster (also known as the Houses of Parliament). Members of the public attending will file past the catafalque to pay their respects.

Members of the public will be allowed to enter Westminster Hall and see the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from 5:00pm on Wednesday 14 September through to Monday 19 September at 6:30am.

Westminster Hall will be open 24 hours a day until the Queen is then moved for the state funeral on Monday September 19.

Can I take photos or record inside Westminster Hall?

Photography and videoing on mobile phones have been banned inside Westminster Hall, so members of the public will not be allowed to take footage while paying respects to The Queen while she is Lying-in-State.

Under no circumstances should mobile phones be switched on or be on any other setting other than silent mode.

What can I take with me when visiting The Queen Lying-in-State?

There will be a strict bag policy in place when visiting The Queen Lying-in-State - members of the public will only be able to take one bag inside with them, no larger than 40cm by 30cm by 20cm with one simple opening to access the bag.

With queues expecting to reach an estimated 10 hours during the Queen’s Lying-in-State, the public have been reminded to bring power banks to charge their mobile phones while waiting in line.

Members of the public should also bring suitable clothing for weather conditions, food and drink to consume while in the queue but under no circumstances to be brought into Westminster Hall, and any essential medication required.

The police may conduct security searches along parts of the queue.

Before entering the Palace of Westminster you will go through an airport-style security search point.

A list of prohibited items have been provided by Met Police, which include:

• Bags larger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm in size, bags or rucksacks with expandable compartments, bags or rucksacks with multiple pockets or complex openings, solid-sided bags, or bags on wheels.
• Flasks or water bottles, except clear water bottles. Clear water bottles must be emptied of their contents before you enter the security search point at the Palace of Westminster.
• Food and liquid of any kind. Any food or liquids must be consumed in the queue or disposed of before you enter the security search point at the Palace of Westminster.
• Flowers or other tribute items (including candles, soft toys and photographs). These items cannot be taken into or left in the Palace of Westminster. Floral tributes only should be taken to the dedicated floral tribute area in Green Park.
• Sharp items, including knives, Swiss Army knives, scissors, cutlery and screwdrivers.
• Personal defence equipment or any object that could be used as a weapon and/or compromise public safety, including personal defence sprays.
• Paint sprays, padlocks, chains, climbing gear, and dangerous or hazardous items.
• Fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, whistles, laser devices, and other items that could be used to cause a disturbance or noise.
• Banners, placards, flags, advertising or marketing messages, and other similar items that could be used to cause a disturbance.
• Coolers, hampers, sleeping bags, blankets, folding chairs and camping equipment.
• Non-foldable pushchairs.
• Any other items as directed by security staff or police.

You also must not bring or erect gazebos or tents, light barbecues or fires or attempt to queue on behalf of others or ask others to queue on your behalf.

Only those given wristbands at the end of the queue will be able to stay in the queue.

Any bags or other items unattended will be removed and may be destroyed.

A bag drop facility will be available and its location confirmed Tuesday September 13 but capacity is limited, and there is no guarantee that there will be space at the facility.

Waiting for bag storage space to become available will increase your queuing time.

How do I queue to visit the Queen lying-in-state?

The queue will start where Albert Embankment meets Lambeth Bridge in Central London, on the south side of the River Thames. From Albert Embankment, the queue will continue along the south bank of the Thames.

To visit the Lying-in-State, you need to join the back of the queue; the location of the back of the queue will move depending on how many people are queuing.

When you reach the back of the queue, you will be given a coloured and numbered wristband. This is a record of when you joined the queue, however please note that having a wristband does not guarantee your entry to the Lying-in-State.

Wristbands are specific to each person joining the queue, and are strictly non-transferable. You must keep this wristband on at all times as it will be checked along the route.

Your wristband also allows you to leave the queue for a short period to use a toilet or get refreshments, then return to your place in the queue. Public toilets, drinking water and first aid stations are available at designated locations along the queue route.

Is there a dress code to visiting The Queen Lying-in-State?

Official guidance has asked those attending the Queen Lying-in-State to dress appropriately for the occasion to pay respects at the Lying-in-State and to not wear clothes with political or offensive slogans.

How can I travel to the Palace of Westminster?

Details on the route in order to visit The Queen Lying-in-State will be published on the Government’s website at 10pm on Tuesday September 13 2022.

Road closures have already been issued by Transport for London while The Queen is lying-in-state this week and ahead of the state funeral.