Latest government plans show that the queue for those wishing to pay their respects to the queen while she lies in state could stretch all the way to Southwark Park in south-east London.
Latest guidelines suggest the queue will follow the path of the River Thames and possibly all the way to Southwark Park, with the line managed by more than 1,000 volunteers, stewards and police officers.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to join the queue from Wednesday, in what will be a major logistical challenge for authorities as members of the public gather in the capital to say a final goodbye.
How to visit the Queen lying in state
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport plan shows members of the public will join the line on the Albert Embankment, which will run behind the London Eye on to Southbank.
There, it will follow the river past landmarks such as the National Theatre, the Tate Modern and HMS Belfast, reaching “maximum capacity” at Southwark Park.
Under the arrangements, once mourners have passed through the Albert Embankment they will be directed across Lambeth Bridge and through airport-style security before entering the Palace of Westminster.
The queen's lying in state opens to the public at 5pm on Wednesday and will be accessible 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.40am on Monday – the day of her funeral.
People queue to view Queen Elizabeth II's coffin lying in state - in pictures
-
People wait in a queue near Tower Bridge in London to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters -
Thousands of people are queueing in London to see Queen Elizabeth lying in state in Westminster Hall. Bloomberg -
People queue on a bridge over the river Thames, next to the Palace of Westminster. Reuters -
Stuart Murphy works on his iPad as he stands in a queue near Bermondsey, London. Reuters -
A newly married couple pose next to people waiting in line. AFP -
People in the queue in Victoria Tower Gardens. PA -
The long queue winds it's way past the London Eye. Bloomberg -
People join the queue on the South Bank in London to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state. AP -
People in the queue on the South Bank opposite the Houses of Parliament. AP -
A queue forms on a pavement in central London ahead of the procession. EPA -
Queen Elizabeth will lie in state for four days inside Westminster Hall until the morning of her funeral, to be held on Monday. PA -
Members of the queue on the South Bank. PA -
Members of the public queue near Lambeth Bridge. AP -
A wall to sit on ahead of the ceremonial procession. AP -
People settle in behind fences on the route. EPA
Metropolitan Police officers will be joined by volunteers and stewards, while toilets and water fountains will also be provided at various points along the route.
What are the rules?
A wristband system will be used to manage the queue, with those waiting in line given a coloured and numbered wristband that organisers said would be specific to each person and “strictly non-transferable”.
“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,” the official guidance says.
St John Ambulance members will be stationed along the route, while more than 100 Scouts aged between 18 and 25 will join volunteers from the charity Samaritans to offer help.
Lambeth Palace is also expected to arrange a multi-faith pastor service to provide support to those who need it.
The UK mourns Queen Elizabeth II - in pictures
-
A tribute altar for Queen Elizabeth II in Green Park in London. AFP -
Ann Doran, 6, looks at floral tributes left in Green Park. Reuters -
Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, look at floral tributes on the Sandringham Estate. AFP -
A drawing of the queen and her husband Prince Philip among flowers outside Windsor Castle. AFP -
Members of the public view floral tributes in Green Park, near Buckingham Palace. PA -
People queue on a bridge over the river Thames to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth in London. Reuters -
A member of the public lights a candle at Windsor Parish Church. AFP -
Residents of the Lawn care home in Alton, Hampshire, decorate an area with photographs of Queen Elizabeth, bunting and their own flower arrangements. PA -
Lloyd's of London chief John Neal delivers remarks honouring the life of Queen Elizabeth during a remembrance ceremony in the atrium of the company's offices in London. Getty Images -
Joyce Buckley, a sponge decorator at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, paints a commemorative mug. PA -
A royalist standing in front of Buckingham Palace. AFP -
Tributes to Queen Elizabeth are viewed at St James's Park in London. Reuters -
Crowds gather outside St. Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile as the queen's coffin passes in Edinburgh. Bloomberg -
Chelsea Pensioners attend a Drumhead service of remembrance, with readings and prayers, in London. Getty Images -
An image of Queen Elizabeth at Green Park Tube station. Reuters -
Vanessa, Anne and Grace, from left to right, wait opposite the Palace of Westminster to be first in line bidding farewell to Queen Elizabeth in London. AP -
A young girl holds Paddington Bear and Corgi stuffed toys while waiting to watch the procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Reuters -
Well-wishers outside Windsor Castle. Getty Images -
Lloyd Smith paints a portrait of Queen Elizabeth in London. AFP -
A child lays flowers outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. AP -
A family leaves flowers outside Buckingham Palace. EPA -
Flowers and tributes, including sunflowers and a Paddington Bear, are left for Queen Elizabeth at the Green Park memorial in London. AP -
People start to camp on The Mall ahead of Queen Elizabeth's coffin being taken from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon by procession on a Gun Carriage to the Palace of Westminster. PA -
Flowers left in St James's Park, London. PA -
A man with his dog arrive early as they wait to view the cortege carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth in Edinburgh. Getty Images -
Members of the public gather on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to watch the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. PA -
Crowds watch as the hearse continues its journey to the Palace of Holyroodhouse from Balmoral. PA -
The hearse passing over Queensferry Crossing on its way to Edinburgh. PA -
Flowers left at the Sandringham Estate, one of the queen's residences. EPA -
A Paddington Bear teapot at the Sandringham Estate. EPA -
Flowers left at the gates of the Sandringham Estate. EPA -
Flowers, cards and messages left in St James's Park in London. EPA -
People lay flowers at Buckingham Palace in London. Reuters
Chief executive of the Scouts, Matt Hyde, called it an “honour” to play a role in proceedings.
Keith Leslie, chairman of the Samaritans, said volunteers would be there to “listen and support anyone who would like to talk openly about how they are feeling”.
The main queue has step-free access, the government said, with a separate accessible route also planned to run from Tate Britain, where timed entry slots will be issued for a queue going along Millbank to the Palace of Westminster.
Guide dogs will be allowed inside Westminster Hall, with sign language interpreters also on hand.
Venues including the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe will open for longer hours to accommodate those queuing, while the British Film Institute on the Southbank will do the same while providing an outdoor screen with archive footage of the queen.
Chief executive of the Southbank Centre Elaine Bedell said the organisation was “pleased to be able to play our part in providing a little bit of respite”.
Cafes and other businesses are expected to follow suit, while welfare centres will also be in place.
RAF plane carrying Queen Elizabeth II's coffin lands in London - video
The public are being warned that strict rules on bags will be in place, with those planning to visit Westminster Hall urged to plan ahead.
Once inside, the public can expect to walk past the coffin of the queen, which will be raised on a catafalque and will be draped in the Royal Standard, with the Orb and Sceptre placed on top.
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace - video
It will be guarded at all hours by units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London.
Michelle Terry, the artistic director of the Globe, said the world-famous theatre will be open 24 hours a day during the lying in state, with the gates along the river adorned with a rosemary wreath of remembrance, in reference to Shakespeare’s play Hamlet.
