People visiting the Queen's coffin in Westminster will have to queue for up to 30 hours and are banned from camping, barbecuing, or bringing teddy bears or flowers
REUTERS/Kevin Coombs
- People visiting Queen Elizabeth's coffin at Westminster aren't allowed to bring camping gear or teddy bears.
- Queues are expected to be five miles long and visitors could be waiting for 30 hours to pay respects.
- The queue has already started, but will officially open to the public Wednesday evening and will be open 24 hours a day until next Monday.
People entering the hours-long queue to visit Queen Elizabeth II's coffin as she lies in state at Westminster face a long list of dos and don'ts if they want to pay their respects to the late royal.
A release from the UK government said queues are expected to be "very long," adding that visitors "will need to stand for many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down, as the queue will keep moving."
Despite the expected long overnight hours, visitors are not allowed to bring chairs, camping equipment, sleeping bags, or blankets to make the line conditions more comfortable, the release said.
Those in line are also not allowed to bring flowers "or other tribute items," such as candles, soft toys, and photographs, according to the release, as they are not allowed to be left in the Palace of Westminster, the meeting place of the Houses of Parliament.
Visitors are limited to one small bag with a single zipper to ensure security — which the release compares to airport security — to get into Westminster moves quickly. They will also have to consume any food or drink before reaching security.
Once inside, visitors are not allowed to film, take photos, or use cell phones. Visitors must not bring or erect gazebos or tents or light barbecues or fires.
Sharp items, personal defense equipment, fireworks, climbing gear, padlocks, and spray paint are also prohibited.
The lying-in-state queue opens to the public at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday and will stay open 24 hours a day until it closes at 6:30 a.m. on September 19. Jason Groves, a Daily Mail political editor, reported that as of Monday afternoon local time, queues have already started forming.
But, the queue may close early to ensure as many visitors as possible can visit the Queen, the release said.
About 750,000 people are expected to visit Westminster to pay their respects to the Queen, the Times of London reported, with estimates of five-mile-long queues forming.
Michelle Donelan, a Cabinet minister, suggested queues to visit the Queen's coffin could be up to 30 hours long.
"Queues could be up to 30 hours as we are obviously expecting and planning for unprecedented demand," Donelan wrote, according to Times of London editor Patrick Maguire.
The UK government's release recommends wearing "suitable clothing" for the weather conditions while also dressing appropriately for the occasion. Clothes with "political or offensive slogans" are not allowed.
Visitors are not allowed to enter the queue on behalf of others or to ask others to enter the queue on their behalf. To enter Westminster, you must receive a wristband at the end of the queue.
Following the lying-in-state period, the Queen's funeral will take place on Monday, September 19 at Westminster Abbey.