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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Kris Gourlay

Edinburgh locals wait in huge 'mile long' queues during darkness to see Queen's coffin

Huge queues have been spotted in Edinburgh as mourners wait to see the Queen's coffin at St Giles' Cathedral.

With some waiting since the crack of dawn, queues are currently covering the length of The Meadows and are thought to be a mile long as the public have now been allowed into the cathedral to see the Queen's coffin on Monday evening.

Eye witnesses have described the scene as "crazy" as the Scottish Government has informed locals via social media that they will have to wait many hours before reaching the front of the line, with the viewing area open throughout the night and into Tuesday afternoon before the Queen's body is transported to Edinburgh Airport.

You can find all the latest on the Queen's procession in Edinburgh on our LIVE blog here.

With the queue starting at Middle Meadow Walk on Monday afternoon, as the sun begins to set, the line has grown bigger and bigger, with the whole length of the Meadows consumed by individuals and reports suggesting 20,000 people have turned out.

Toilets have been positioned in the park in preparation for the huge wait people will have to endure as the Royal Mile was reportedly at capacity earlier in the day, with police refusing people entry shortly before the Queen's procession travelled from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles'.

People are expected to be queuing long into the night. (Edinburgh Live)

One local reported the queues stretching as far as Tollcross, as people started their stint that would take them through the Meadows, Forest Road, George IV Bridge and down the Royal Mile.

Edinburgh Live previously reported how many individuals spoke of their excitement about witnessing the Queen's coffin and brought blankets and refreshments to keep them going throughout the day.

The first wave of people entered the cathedral as the vigil started shortly before 8pm on Monday, with Prince Charles, along with his siblings, present and standing in silence next to the Queen's coffin as individuals walked on past and took a moment to reflect on the life of the 96-year-old Monarch.

People had been queueing since 10am with blankets and refreshments to keep them going. (Edinburgh Live)

On the Scottish Government's website, information surrounding the vigil has been updated, including expected queue times. It reads: "Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying at Rest at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, opens to the public at around 5:30pm on Monday 12 September and will be open overnight until it closes at 3pm on Tuesday 13 September.

"If you wish to attend the Lying at Rest, please note that there will be a queue to enter. The queue may close early in order to ensure as many people as possible can enter St Giles' Cathedral to pay their respects.

"Please note that the queue is expected to be very long. You will need to stand for long periods of time, possibly many hours, with very little opportunity to sit down, as the queue will keep moving.

"Please consider this before you decide to attend or bring children with you. In order to assist with managing the queue, wristbands will be issued. Only one wristband per person will be issued and individuals will have to be present to collect one. You will only be permitted to enter the queue if you have a valid wristband."

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