A guide to seeing the Queen lying in state: from queueing to dress code

By Dora Davies-Evitt

The Palace of Westminster

Where can you visit the Queen's coffin?

The Queen's coffin will be lying in state in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster from 5pm today (14 September). At 3pm the casket will arrive at the palace, where the Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct a short service.

How long will I be able to visit?

The hall will be open 24 hours a day to the public until 6.30am on Monday, the day of Her Majesty's funeral. The queue may close early to ensure as many visitors as possible can enter the palace before the lying in state period comes to an end.

Where can I queue?

Members of the public will need to join a queue to have the opportunity of attending the lying in state. The queue is expected to be very long, with waits of around 35 hours. People have been warned that you may need to stand for the entirety of the process (possibly overnight), with very little opportunity to sit down, as the queue will keep moving.

The queue will start where Albert Embankment meets Lambeth Bridge, on the south side of the River Thames, it will then snake down to Southwark Park, covering an overall distance of more than four-and-a-half miles.

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What to expect during queueing?

Loos and water fountains will be available along the route, with the Southbank Centre, National Theatre and BFI Southbank and cafes extending their opening hours to provide refreshments. More than 1,000 volunteers, stewards and police officers are expected to be on hand to help queuers.

The government has issued a statement staying that any ‘antisocial behaviour, including queue-jumping, excessive consumption of alcohol or drunken behaviour will not be tolerated’.

What should I wear?

Crowds are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing for the long queues, as well as bring food, refreshments and ideally portable chargers. Once in Westminster Hall, guests should be wearing appropriate dress, any clothing with political or offensive slogans is reportedly banned.

What can I do once I get there?

People have been asked to ‘respect the dignity of this event’, and once inside the vicinity, visitors must remain silent. It is also forbidden to film, photograph or use mobile phones inside the Palace of Westminster.

There will be airport-style security on entry to the palace, as well as a strict bag policy, with each person allowed one small bag only.

Things to consider

Although children are allowed to accompany adults to the occasion, parents are urged to consider whether a child will be able to handle standing for such a long period of time.

There will be a ‘special access’ queue running from Tate Britain to parliament intended for people with disabilities and impairments.

Queen Elizabeth II