Queen’s coffin brought to Westminster Hall in ceremonial procession
(Update: changes headline, lede, adds detail of procession)
London, Sep 14 (EFE).- The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was carried through central London Wednesday for a ceremonial procession from Buckingham Palace to the seat of parliament at Westminster, where she will lie in state for four days.
King Charles III, his siblings Margaret, Edward and Andrew, and his sons, William – the heir to the throne – and Harry, walked behind the coffin throughout the procession.
The tens of thousands of people lining up in central London to witness the ceremony fell silent as troops marched along the route that passed through Queen’s Gardens, The Mall, Horse Guards and Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square and New Palace Yard.
A short service was held at Westminster Hall for members of the royal family in which the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle, offered their prayers.
The Queen’s coffin was draped in the Royal Standard flag with the Imperial State Crown resting on a purple cushion on top of the casket.
Members of the public will be allowed into Westminster Hall to view Elizabeth II’s coffin from 5pm local time until Monday afternoon.
An estimated 750,000 people from across the country, as well as tourists, are expected to descend on central London over the coming days.
The culture ministry has warned that those who want to bid farewell to the queen should “be aware that extremely long queues are expected”.
The late sovereign will lie in state until Monday, when the coffin will be moved to Westminster Abbey for a state funeral. EFE
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