Lying-in-state ends hours before Queen’s funeral
The doors of Westminster Abbey have opened and the first mourners started to arrive ahead of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Just after 6.30am on Monday morning, the last mourners left Westminster Hall as the Queen’s five-day lying-in-state ended. Her coffin will later be transported to Westminster Abbey for the funeral service at 11am.
Transport for London has said it expects upwards of one million people to line the route in London, as millions more watch the televised service around the world.
The state funeral on Monday is the first of its kind since that of Winston Churchill in 1965, and will take the form of an elaborate ceremony, after which Her Majesty’s coffin will be transported to Windsor Castle.
Hundreds of dignitaries are due to attend the service at the Abbey, with presidents and prime ministers among the 2,000-strong congregation.
On Sunday night, it was confirmed by the order of service that the Queen’s great-grandchildren, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, will attend the historic event.
