Families have been 'sharing stories' about the Queen while queueing to see her lying in state. They spoke of a feeling of camaraderie with fellow mourners today.
One mourner, Bethany, arrived at 11am today (September 14) in preparation to file past the late monarch's coffin. Speaking to the PA news agency, she said: "I think, when I see it, it will start to hit me and become more real, but for the time being today has been a social, fun event with the sun shining.”
The queue to enter Westminster Hall has grown to more than two miles since the first people took their places on Monday. Trisha, who is number 2,026 in the queue, spoke about “sharing stories” with fellow mourners.
She said: “Everyone’s very friendly, and we’re all here for the same thing, which is to honour the Queen. We’ve met some nice people and we shared stories.
"We’ve even shared contact details. I’ve met someone I was at school with. It’s great.”
More people continued to join the queue which began moving forward after the doors to Westminster Hall opened to the public at 5pm on Wednesday. Another woman, who did not want to give her name, told the PA news agency: “It’s good, there’s food, there’s water, there’s toilet facilities. It’s a nice atmosphere.
“We’ve met some new people. We’ve made friends and everything so it’s been like a nice community spirit.”
The Queen will lie in state until the morning of her funeral on Monday.
