Queue to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin reaches capacity
London, Sep 16 (EFE).- The United Kingdom’s government announced Friday that entry to the queue to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin at Westminster Hall had reached capacity.
“Southwark Park has reached capacity. Entry will be paused for at least 6 hours. We are sorry for any inconvenience,” the ministry of digital, culture, media and sport wrote on Twitter.
“Please do not attempt to join the queue until it re-opens,” it added.
The announcement came as the queue along the River Thames in central London stretched 8 kilometers with a waiting time of 14 hours.
Tens of thousands of people have been slowly walking towards Westminster Hall to bid a final farewell to the late monarch, who died last week in her Balmoral estate in Scotland at the age of 96.
Elizabeth’s coffin was carried to the seat of parliament Wednesday afternoon in a ceremonial procession from Buckingham Palace.
Portable toilets have been set up along the route and some 600 health professionals have been deployed to the area.
Visitors must pass through a security check before entering the chapel, where they will have a few minutes to observe the queen’s coffin before heading back outside. The coffin is draped with the Royal Standard flag with the Imperial State Crown resting on a purple cushion on top of the casket.
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 late sovereign will lie in state until Monday, when the coffin will be moved to Westminster Abbey for a state funeral.
Authorities have announced a two-minute national silence to be held at the end of the queen’s funeral. Some 2,000 guests, including United States president Joe Biden and French president Emmanuel Macron, are expected to attend the ceremony.
Elizabeth will be buried alongside her late husband Prince Philip, in the King George VI Chapel at Windsor Castle in a smaller ceremony later on Monday. EFE
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