Public viewing areas for Queen's funeral procession route already FULL

Public viewing areas for Queen’s funeral procession route are already FULL: Mourners travelling from across the country are sent to Hyde Park to watch screening

Tens of thousands of people already lining the streets of London and Windsor to watch the Queen’s funeral
Many spent a cold night outdoors camping along The Mall to reserve best viewing spots for procession route
Crowds told the procession route viewing areas are full and being sent to Hyde Park to watch on big screens
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Public viewing areas for the Queen’s funeral procession route are already full, City Hall said on Monday morning.

Crowds arriving to watch the Queen’s state funeral are being sent to Hyde Park where they can watch the historic event on four big screens installed especially for the occasion.

Tens of thousands of people are already lining the streets of London and Windsor this morning to say a final farewell to Queen Elizabeth II ahead of her state funeral.

Many spent a cold night outdoors as they camped out along The Mall in order to reserve prime viewing spots for the late monarch’s funeral procession, while tens of thousands made journeys into the capital early on Monday morning.

Members of the public took up positions along the route from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, where Her Majesty will begin her last journey on a two-and-a-half ton gun carriage pulled by 98 Royal Navy sailors.

However, crowds have been told that all public viewing areas for the Queen’s funeral procession are full, according to City Hall, and are being sent to Hyde Park where they can watch the Queen’s state funeral on four big screens installed for the occasion.

Mourners are lining the route that Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin will be pulled along on a gun carriage following her state funeral service at Westminster Abbey this morning

Metropolitan Police officers were seen walking in formation down The Mall on Monday morning ahead of the Queen’s state funeral

Crowds have been told that all public viewing areas for the Queen’s funeral procession are full, according to City Hall, and are being sent to Hyde Park where they can watch the Queen’s state funeral on four big screens installed for the occasion

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners are lining the route that Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin will be pulled along on a gun carriage following her state funeral service at Westminster Abbey this morning

Crowds outside the Treasury across Parliament Square from Westminster Abbey on Monday morning

Every available view of Westminster Abbey had been occupied before dawn.

Overnight, Parliament Square and Whitehall transformed into a giant campsite as thousands claimed their spots and sat behind barriers in neat rows.

Others lay in untidy heaps on pavements or curled up in doorways.

Some had come well equipped. A few even brought tents. Others built temporary homes out of plastic sheeting.

Shortly after 5am cheers greeted the arrival of the historic gun carriage first used at the funeral of Queen Victoria in 1901.

It was brought in on the back of a low loader before being hauled into position by a team of waiting Royal Navy ratings.

Police officers dressed in smart uniforms who will take part in ceremonial duties were applauded as they marched in file along Whitehall in the darkness towards the Abbey.

Many of those who had travelled to London insisted they believed it was their duty to be here to help the nation pay a fitting tribute to the Queen’s remarkable reign.

Grandmothers Christine Whitby and Shirin Thorpe, both, 61, were the first mourners to arrive for the funeral – setting up camp in Westminster at 8am on Thursday morning.

The pair from Sevenoaks, Kent, were moved three times by police before finding a spot on the edge of Parliament Square.

They hung two Union Flags from metal barriers in front of them and brought tents, inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags and winter coats to endure four cold nights on the streets.

Shirin, a retired vintage clothing seller, said: ‘There’s going to be millions of people here and we didn’t want to miss out.

‘I did feel like it was my duty to be here and I feel a part of it.

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Mourners are lining the route that Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin will be pulled along on a gun carriage following her state funeral service at Westminster Abbey this morning

‘To me it would have been like not going to your mother’s funeral.

‘I wanted to pay my condolences to the family, do my bit and grieve with them.

‘As far as I’m concerned the Queen put the Great in Britain and I’m not sure what life will be without her.

‘She has been in my life as far back as I can remember.

‘It sounds really stupid but it feels like she is part of the family.’

‘I take a lot from her strengths. She was a mechanic during the war, raised kids and worked up until the day she died. She did so much for women.’

As she spoke she burst into tears saying: ‘I’m sorry. The enormity of it all is finally hitting home.

‘I lost my mother five years ago aged 95 so I feel that too.’

Christine said: ‘Our families thought we were crazy. They told me I wouldn’t even make one night but that made me even more determined to see it through.

‘I wanted to be here. She’s been my Queen my entire life. I wanted to pay my respects and until the day I die, along with the births of my son and grandson, this will be my everlasting memory.’

Stephen Garner, 53, from Canterbury, Kent, said: ‘The Queen was part of the fabric of our lives – she was always there and now she’s gone.

‘There’s never going to be another monarch like her, certainly not in any of our lifetimes and there will never be another day like today.’

People heading to the capital spoke of their mixed emotions as they prepared to say a final farewell to the Queen.

A couple from Lewisham got up before dawn so they could get a ‘last look’ at Her Majesty the Queen and ‘say goodbye’ at the state funeral today.

Yan Lung, 36, and Lulu Lee, 30, had brought fold up chairs, a blanket, food and drink to sustain them through their wait,

Yan, a wholesaler, told MailOnline: ‘We got up early because we want to get a good spot so we can get a last look at the Queen and say goodbye.

‘This is a big international event and we want to be there. It’s a part of history.’

The couple, who are originally from China, have. When living in the UK for 15 years and have grown to love the Queen.

Lulu explained: ‘The Queen is a very kind person. She has always been here caring for the people. So we want to say goodbye.’

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Another couple told how they had come to London from Edinburgh to ‘pay their respects’ after they were unable to honour Her Majesty in Scotland.

Becky Knight, 32, a doctor, and Michael Rutherford , an IT worker, stayed overnight at a friend’s house in Lewisham.

Becky explained: ‘I was there last Sunday when the Queen came to Edinburgh from Balmoral. But I wasn’t able to get to the procession or pay my respects when she lay in rest because I was at work.

‘So we decided to come to London and be here at the funeral.

‘I have great admiration for the Queen. She stands for integrity, respect, devotion to duty and our country.

‘She will be sorely missed.’

Michael added: ‘she was a wonderful lady and I want to pay my respects,’

While many expressed their sadness at attending the state funeral, they also said they were privileged to be attending a once in a lifetime event.

Among them was Brian McBride, the President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), who will be among the 2,000 in the congregation at Westminster Abbey.

He said he was proud to be representing British business at the service.

‘When you look at what has been going on in the last week and you cannot help but be proud,’ he said.

‘I am very honoured to be attending the service and will be there as a representative of British industry. I have been so impressed by everything that has taken place.’

Mr McBride travelled from his home in Camberley, Surrey, to Richmond station in southwest London to board a 6.18am train to Waterloo.

He was among more than two dozen people who arrived at the station in darkness to make sure they were in London and secure their place with up to two million other expected on the funeral procession route.

Mourners start to start on the Long Walk in Windsor ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in London on Monday morning

Mourners are gathering in Windsor ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in London on Monday morning

Mourners start to start on the Long Walk in Windsor ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in London on Monday morning

Mourners are gathering in Windsor ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in London on Monday morning

Friends Victoria Ingram and Jenna Anderson said they were attending their third royal event together.

Jenna, 37, had travelled to Richmond from her home in Royal Leamington Spa and stayed overnight at Victoria’s home in Royal Ascot.

Victoria, 37, said:’ We go to royal events together and were at Kate and Wills wedding. We also went to the Diamond Jubilee celebrations but were unable to get tickets for the most recent Platinum celebrations.

‘It is incredibly sad, but to see all the pomp and ceremony that has been going on in the last 10 days has been so inspiring.’

Jenna added:’ We just wanted to be part of something that will probably never happen again in my lifetime.’

Both women had dressed in black and Jenna clutched a foldaway chair. They had decided to get one of the first underground trains from Richmond to guarantee a front row position.

Paul and Jo McKenna drove from their home in Basingstoke, Hampshire and parked at Richmond station. They caught the 6.03 district line train to Embankment and were hoping to get a place on The Mall to view the funeral procession.

Paul, 61, said:’ We wanted to be part of something and also to say farewell to someone who has served this country with such distinction.’

Mourners have lined the Mall ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey this morning

Meanwhile, there has been rail chaos this morning after train services at Paddington station were suspended, disrupting the journeys of thousands of mourners attempting to reach London or Windsor for the Queen’s funeral.

Great Western Railway (GWR) said all lines between the west London station and Slough, Berkshire, are blocked due to damage to overhead electric wires.

The problem is affecting journeys for passengers travelling from Reading and Heathrow Airport. Services run by GWR, Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line are disrupted.

The lines between Reading and Newbury are also closed due to a person being hit by a train. This is causing GWR trains to be diverted, delaying journeys to the capital.

The issues come during one of the UK’s biggest transport operations as mourners descend on London and Windsor.

One passenger said they were stranded on a train which was stationary outside Paddington for 30 minutes.

National Rail Enquiries is showing that all services to and from the station are ‘delayed’.

Heathrow Airport had previously urged airline passengers to use rail or Tube services on Monday due to road closures in the Windsor area.

Meanwhile, at Waterloo Station, hundreds of security guards are on duty ready for the influx of mourners expected to travel to the capital for the funeral.

Authorities in the capital have already warned mourners that central London is extremely busy.

A statement issued at 7.30am said: ‘The areas in and around Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Whitehall, St James’ Park and Green Park are extremely busy.

‘If you are in the vicinity or arriving to watch Her Majesty The Queen’s State Funeral and procession, please be patient and follow the advice of stewards and police.’

Great Western Railway (GWR) has said all railway lines between Slough and Paddington are blocked due to damage to overhead electric wires. Pictured above: Paddington Station

People begin to gather in Hyde Park in central London to watch Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral on big screens

People have begun to gather in Hyde Park in central London to watch the Queen’s funeral on one of four big TV screens installed for the occasion.

Up to 100,000 people are expected to watch the late monarch’s funeral from the royal park, with a site supervisor saying the number of spectators coudl ‘easily’ surpass the 62,000 that showed to watch Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018.

Monday has been declared a Bank Holiday in honour of Her Majesty.

Her funeral will be broadcast live to more than 200 countries and territories worldwide – with projected viewing figures of up to 4.1 billion people – and screened to crowds in parks and public spaces across the UK.

Police officers from around the country will be on duty as part of the biggest one-day policing operation in London’s history.

On the evening before the funeral, King Charles III released a message to people in the UK and around the world, saying he and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, have been ‘moved beyond measure’ by the large numbers of people who have turned out to pay their respects to the queen.

‘As we all prepare to say our last farewell, I wanted simply to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those countless people who have been such a support and comfort to my family and myself in this time of grief,’ he said.

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