Thousands of people have taken their spots in the queue for the Queen’s lying in state as the public prepares to pay its last respects.
The line has the capacity to stretch back 10 miles, with no guarantee that everyone who joins it will get to file past the late monarch’s coffin in Westminster Hall. Nevertheless, people are turning out in droves for the opportunity to say a personal farewell ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday.
Live coverage of the Queen lying in state
For those who cannot make the trip to London, there is a live stream of the crowds filing past the coffin.
Details if you are going
On Thursday morning, it had reached three miles long, ending between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. You can keep an eye on the length of the queue thanks to the official government tracker:
The Queen will lie in state with the public able to pay their respects 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on Monday 19 September. The queue may have to close early, though, to ensure as many visitors in the queue as possible can enter the Palace before the end of the period of lying in state.
The government has warned people looking to travel that there may be delays on public transport as crowds from to the capital. If you do want to join the queue, you should also be aware that there could be a long wait and that you might have to spend the night outside.
All visitors must go through airport style security checks and you can only take one small bag with you.
When you reach the back of the queue, you will be given a coloured and numbered wristband. This is a record of when you joined the queue. This means you can leave for a short time to get refreshments of use the toilet. There are public conveniences, drinking water and first aid stations set up on the route.
You should consider taking food and drink, clothing suitable for all weathers, any medicine you need and a power bank for your phone as you are likely to be there a while.
