UK

More than 250,000 people saw Queen lying in state

More than 250,000 people saw the Queen lying in state in London, according to the culture secretary.

Michelle Donelan told Sky News that more than a quarter of a million “went through parliament” but that it was an approximate figure and the government is still “crunching the final numbers”.

People queued 24 hours a day from late Wednesday until 6.30am on Monday, the day of the Queen‘s funeral, to see her coffin in Westminster Hall.

The line stretched from parliament along the south bank of the Thames and past Tower Bridge to Southwark Park.

The last member of the public to see the monarch said she went through the queue twice on the same night.

David Beckham was among those to pay their respects and others spoke of making new friends with people around them in the line.

On two occasions, the Queen’s children and grandchildren held vigils around the coffin as the public continued to file past.

Huge numbers also watched the monarch’s funeral procession through London and beyond yesterday.

The mayor of London’s office said an estimated 80,000 were in Hyde Park, 75,000 in ceremonial viewing areas and 60,000 on South Carriage Drive.

Overall numbers will be much higher as crowds formed on virtually the entire route to Windsor, where Thames Valley Police said 100,000 turned out.

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The Queen was buried beside Prince Philip on Monday evening in a final private ceremony in St George’s Chapel.

It concluded an historic and spectacular day of events that included the state funeral, a final procession through London, and thousands lining the Long Walk as the Queen’s cortege arrived at Windsor Castle.

There was also the poignant moment where the state crown, orb and sceptre were removed from the coffin before it was lowered into the vault.

As the Royal Family laid the Queen to rest, they released a previously unseen photograph showing her walking in Balmoral in 1971.

The royals are observing another week of mourning and are not expected to carry out official engagements.

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