Over three million mourners set to visit London this week to pay respects to Queen
MORE than three million mourners are expected to visit London this week to pay their respects to the Queen.
But the one million queuing to see Her Majesty’s lying-in-state have been told: “Don’t turn up early — and no selfies.”
Predicted monster crowds have set Whitehall officials working feverishly to pull together a masterplan for the four-day event, beginning at 5pm on Wednesday.
But mourners were advised the exact queue route was still being finalised — meaning anyone guessing its starting point could turn up in the wrong place.
A government source said yesterday: “The key message is don’t try to second-guess where the route will start.
“If you turn up early, or in the wrong place at the wrong time, you’ll just be sent away.
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“Once inside Westminster Hall, people will be told to turn off their phones to ensure the dignity of the event.
“And there must be no photos taken — anyone trying to take a selfie will risk being removed by security.”
Huge numbers are expected to try to pay their respects to the Queen at Westminster Hall before its doors close at 6.30am on Monday.
Officials believe the crowd will rival the one million who took to the streets for the 1997 funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.
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One plan being considered would broadly follow the route taken by 200,000 mourners who queued for the Queen Mother’s lying-in-state in 2002.
It snaked back from Westminster, south over Lambeth Bridge and along the Albert Embankment towards the southern end of Westminster Bridge.
But the huge numbers wanting to pay tribute to the Queen mean a longer, five-mile route beginning in Southwark Park is now being considered.
People will be given wristbands as they begin queuing — stopping anyone from getting others to wait in the line on their behalf. Details of the route will be published on the Government’s website at 10pm today.
Under Operation Feather, thousands of police are expected to be called in to oversee the lying-in-state.
New Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley yesterday admitted policing the Queen’s funeral and its build-up was “a massive challenge”.
MI5 has also been involved in reviewing the operation.
The route — and that of the Queen’s final procession — is being analysed for any signs of vulnerability.
And 1,500 soldiers have reportedly been placed on stand-by to help with crowd control.
Official government guidance yesterday said anyone wanting to pay their respects should expect a long queue.
Those waiting are warned they will have little chance to sit down, while road closures and transport delays will make even getting to the event tricky.
Airport-style security checks and restrictions will greet mourners at Westminster Hall. They will be allowed to take in one small bag no bigger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm — smaller than a cabin bag permitted by BA or easyJet.
Food and other liquids, flowers and tributes, coolers, hampers, sleeping bags, blankets, folding chairs and non-foldable pushchairs are also banned.
Despite the guidance, royal fans were already beginning to pitch camp outside Buckingham Palace yesterday.
Maria Scott, 51, John Loughrey, 67, and Sky London, 62, will sleep in tents on The Mall until after The Queen’s funeral.
Mum-of-two and carer Maria travelled the 245 miles from Gateshead on Thursday.
She said: “It’s a small price to pay to be here. The Queen has been such a constant presence in our lives. She’s got the country through so much.”
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Retired chef John, of Streatham, South West London, said: “I miss her and miss her presence. She was the mother of the country.”
Retired pet shop owner Sky, 62, of Paddington, West London, added: “We just need to say, ‘Thank you ma’am’.”
Long wait begins for first in line
By GRANT ROLLINGS
UNDER a lamppost in sight of the Houses of Parliament, the wait to pay respects to the Queen has begun.
Although the doors to Westminster Hall will not open until 6.30pm tomorrow, one woman was already in line yesterday.
Vanessa Nanthakumaran, 56, is determined not to miss the chance to say goodbye to Britain’s longest serving monarch.
She has only a small, blue bag for snacks and water and a waterproof jacket to protect her from the rain.
For Vanessa, the Queen’s passing was an emotional echo of the death of husband Nathan, 54, in June.
The mother of three, from London, said: “I won’t leave the position. It is my duty to pay my respects.”
Waiting behind her is arch-royalist Anne, 65, from Wales.
She said: “To think of the Queen resting there in her coffin will be very difficult. But it is important to pay our respects.”