King Charles III and the closest members of his family on Wednesday accompanied the coffin of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in a sombre procession from Buckingham Palace to the ancient Westminster Hall. She will lie in state there until her funeral on Monday.
The lead-lined coffin, draped with the Royal Standard and carried on a gun carriage of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, left the palace at precisely 2.22pm. It then embarked on a journey along The Mall, passing the statue of the queen’s parents King George VI and the Queen Mother, through Horse Guards and Whitehall, to Parliament Square and then its resting place in the Palace of Westminster. Hundreds of thousands of people will file past the coffin there in tribute to the late monarch, who died on Thursday. Applause rang out as the coffin reached its destination 40 minutes later, slightly behind schedule, and was placed on a raised platform known as a catafalque.
The king and the senior royals saluted the coffin as it was carried by a bearer party — eight soldiers from Queen’s Company 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards — into the hall, where a service was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Tens of thousands of people lined the streets, with large Union flags positioned above the crowds. People were packed in behind temporary barriers near the official residence where the queen spent so much of her working life. Silence fell among the crowds as a muffled drum draped in black was beaten at 75 paces per minute.
Alongside the king was his sister, Princess Anne, and his brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
His sons, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, followed a step or two behind. This evoked memories of their mother Diana’s funeral, when as children they walked a similar route for her funeral in 1997.
Also in the procession were Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips, her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of Gloucester and the Earl of Snowdon. Other royals ― including the Queen Consort Camilla, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Sussex and the Countess of Wessex — followed by car.
The Imperial State Crown was placed on the coffin, resting on a velvet cushion and next to a wreath of white roses and dahlias. There was also a selection of foliage from the gardens at Balmoral in Scotland where the queen died and Windsor where she spent most of her final months.
The king wore full daytime ceremonial uniform with the rank of Marshal of the Royal Air Force.
The Band of the Scots Guards and the Band of the Grenadier Guards played funeral marches throughout the procession, starting with Beethoven’s Funeral March No 1.
The royals moved in time to the imposing funeral marches, in step with one another and the troops.
Prince William stared straight ahead as he walked directly behind his father the king, in keeping with his place as the new heir to the throne. His brother Harry and uncle Prince Andrew wore morning suits as they were not permitted to wear military uniform as they are no longer working royals.
Military guns rang out in nearby Hyde Park as the procession moved towards the Palace of Westminster on the 1.9-kilometre route, while Big Ben's bells tolled at one-minute intervals.
Crowds had flocked to The Mall to witness the historic moment, with many dedicated royalists camping out overnight to secure a prime viewing position. Heathrow Airport in west London cancelled flights to ensure the sound of incoming planes did not disturb events.
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Esther Ravenor holds up a Kenyan flag while waiting to watch the queen's coffin pass by along The Mall. Photo: The National -
Sharon Chlouk, left, and her daughter Riya, centre, with photos of the queen on The Mall. Photo: The National -
Royal fan 'Uncle Mick' on The Mall while waiting for the procession. The National -
Derek Derdivanis from California said he was impressed by the dedication of royal fans after stumbling on the scenes in The Mall on Wednesday morning. Photo: The National -
Bertrand Philibert from Mauritius, left, with fellow royal fan Lewis from Newcastle wait on The Mall before the ceremonial procession. Photo: The National -
Valerie Garnerone travelled to London from Nice in France to witness the historic royal procession Buckingham Palace to Westminster. Photo: The National -
Chantelle Cahill and her six children rose at 5am to secure front-row positions on The Mall to watch the procession. Photo: The National
Lying in state
A separate queue, with the potential to stretch up to 16 kilometres, was growing on the banks of the Thames. Mourners prepared to file past the coffin from 5pm once the service concluded. Hundreds of thousands are expected to pay their respects during the coming days, the event continuing round the clock until 6.30am on Monday before the funeral.
Four officers from the Household Cavalry – two from the Life Guards and two from the Blues Royals – began the first six-hour vigil around the coffin, taking their places at the corner of the catafalque.
A double tap on the floor from the stick of the Officer of the Watch, who has command of the rotations, signalled the start of the vigil.
The soldiers had processed down the steps into Westminster Hall ready for their duty.
They navigated the route carefully in their cumbersome uniforms of breast plates, plumed hats and swords, taking a pause before each step.
Organisers are warning people to prepare for a long and physically demanding wait, with few opportunities to sit down.
Everyone arriving at the hall will be issued with wristbands, which will allow them to pop out for a short time for food or drink.
The queen's coffin, which had returned to London from Edinburgh on Tuesday evening, will be guarded around the clock until the funeral by members of the Household Division or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London, who are the sovereign's bodyguards.
Earlier on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden spoke to King Charles to convey “the great admiration of the American people for the queen”.
A White House statement said: “President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with King Charles III to offer his condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
“The president recalled fondly the queen’s kindness and hospitality, including when she hosted him and the first lady at Windsor Castle last June.
“He also conveyed the great admiration of the American people for the queen, whose dignity and constancy deepened the enduring friendship and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.
“President Biden conveyed his wish to continue a close relationship with the king.”
The UK mourns Queen Elizabeth II - in pictures
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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
