All eight of Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren stood in silent vigil beside her coffin Saturday, capping another day in which thousands came to pay their respects to the late monarch.
Members of the public wishing to pay their respects to the late monarch huddled in a line that snaked across London, enduring the city’s coldest night in months on Friday. Authorities warned that more chilly weather was expected Saturday night.
“Tonight’s forecast is cold. Warm clothing is recommended,” tweeted the UK Department for Culture, which is in charge of the line.
Draped in her Royal Standard and capped with a diamond-studded crown, the Queen's coffin is lying in state in Westminister Hall, the oldest part of the British Parliament. Her funeral will take place on Monday, with US President Joe Biden and other world leaders flying into the British capital for the service.
Tens of thousands of people wanting to say goodbye to Elizabeth II have streamed into the Hall since it was opened on Wednesday. The number of mourners has grown steadily since the public was first admitted, with the queue snaking all the way from central London to Southwark Park in the south.
Yesterday waiting times hit 24 hours early in the morning, with the line stretching at least 8 kilometres. But it did shorten throughout the day.
Honouring their patience, King Charles III and his eldest son Prince William made an unannounced visit on Saturday to greet people waiting to file past Elizabeth’s coffin, shaking hands and thanking mourners in the queue near Lambeth Bridge.
Later, all the queen’s grandchildren stood by her coffin. William and Prince Harry, Charles’ sons, were joined by Princess Anne’s children, Zara Tindall and Peter Philips; Prince Andrew’s daughters,
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