Why do monarchs lie in state and what does it mean? Royal tradition explained
Queen Elizabeth II will Lie-in-state in Edinburgh and London over the coming days, with thousands of members of the public expected to visit her coffin.
The Queen died peacefully at her beloved Balmoral estate on Thursday surrounded by family.
On Sunday, Her Majesty left Balmoral for the final time as her gatekeepers carried her coffin to the waiting hearse, which will take her on the 175 mile journey to Edinburgh.
Once in the Scottish capital, the Queen will be taken to St Giles Cathedral, where she will then lie in state for 24 hours from Monday, September 12.
After Scots have said goodbye to the former monarch, Princess Anne will accompany her mother’s body on a flight down to London on Wednesday.
After a procession through the city, the Queen will arrive at Westminster Hall in the Palace of Westminster at 3pm, where she will lie in state for four days before being transferred to Westminster Abbey for the funeral.
Here is what you need to know about the royal tradition of lying in state.
Why do monarchs lie in state and what is the meaning?
Lying-in-state is the formal occasion in which a coffin is placed in public view in order for members of the public to pay their respects to the deceased before the funeral takes places.
In the United Kingdom, lying-in-state is afforded to the Sovereign, the current or previous Queen Consort and, on occasion, Prime Ministers.
With royal deaths, the coffin is traditionally covered with a royal flag and is rested on a catafalque, which is a raise platform draped in a purple cloth.
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The coffin is placed in the middle of Westminster Hall and is guarded at all times by units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, Foot Guards or the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
When was the last time a royal lied in state?
The last member of the Royal Family to Lie-in-state was the Queen Mother, who died on March 30, 2002.
The Queen Mother Lied-in-state for three days in Westminster Hall before her funeral at Westminster Abbey on April 9.
It is estimated that 200,000 visited Westminster Hall to pay their respects to the Queen Mother.
Notable people who have Lied-in-state
- 1898 – William Ewart Gladstone
- 1910 – King Edward VII
- 1936 – King George V
- 1952 – King George VI
- 1953 – Queen Mary
- 1965 – Sir Winston Churchill
- 2002 – Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
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