The royal mourning ceremony is over, now the public can go to the queen’s coffin. The queue stretched for miles.
From shortly after 5pm local time (6pm CET), the public had the opportunity to pay a final visit to the late Queen for four days starting on Wednesday. The closed casket had previously been accompanied by Queen Elizabeth II’s closest family from Buckingham Palace in a funeral procession to Parliament. The King’s wife Camilla, Princess Kate, Duchess Meghan, Countess Sophie and other members of the royal family who did not participate in the procession were waiting at Westminster Hall. The royals attended a mass at the site around the coffin.
Huge security measures
Hundreds of people bowed to the coffin immediately after it was thrown. The line already stretched for several kilometers along the Thames through the center of the British capital. The first mourners had already arrived on Monday afternoon to secure a spot. Some estimates put up to two million visitors wanting to pay tribute to the queen. The security precautions are huge, the millions of bereaved need to be controlled and protected by security forces at the same time.
Shortly before: Members of the royal family and their partners left Westminster Hall in London after service for Queen Elizabeth II. But only one couple has joined hands: the Queen’s grandson Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan. On the other hand, not even King Charles III played. and wife Queen Camilla, nor her son Prince William and Princess Kate, or her brother Prince Edward and Countess Sophie. This is mainly due to protocol: holding hands is not intended for active members of the royal family.
Nice gestures and constant guard
Even Queen Elizabeth II did not hold her husband Prince Philip’s hand in public. However, Harry and Meghan have given up their royal duties and are officially civil. But a beautiful tribute to Queen Elizabeth: Princess Kate wore a piece of jewelry from the monarch for the procession – namely the diamond and pearl leaf brooch. And Duchess Meghan also wore earrings that Queen Elizabeth once gave her. The coffin, decorated with the Imperial State Crown, is guarded by royal soldiers 24 hours a day.
Navigation account 20 minutes, time rfi14.09.2022, 19:24| Act: 09/14/2022, 19:30