Arrest of a man after a ‘disorder’ as a line to see the Queen swell

London Thousands of people spent the coldest night in London in months queuing to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin, and authorities warned Saturday that mourners who have arrived will face a 24-hour wait.

Police have arrested a man after what the force described as a “turmoil” Friday night in Parliament’s Westminster Hall, where the Queen’s coffin lies in state, draped in her royal dress and covered in a diamond-encrusted tiara.

Parliamentary authorities said someone got off the waiting list and tried to approach the coffin on its platform. The Metropolitan Police said a man had been arrested for a public order offence.

stream of people He wants to say goodbye To the Queen steadily since the audience was first admitted into the hall on Wednesday. On Friday, authorities temporarily halted allowing more visitors to join the end of the line, which winds around Southwark Park 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Parliament.

Overnight, volunteers distributed blankets and cups of tea to people in line as the temperature dropped to 6°C (43°F).

People had countless reasons to come, from affection for the Queen to desire To be part of a historical moment.

Simon Hopkins, who traveled from his home in central England, likened it to a “pilgrimage”.

“(It’s) a little weird,” he said, “because that kind of goes against my darling.” “I was kind of drawn to it.”

Members of the audience continued to stream silently into Westminster Hall even with the Queen’s four children – King Charles IIIAnd Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – they all watched the flag-covered coffin for 15 minutes on Friday evening. A child’s cry was the only sound.

Before vigilEdward said the royal family was “overwhelmed by the wave of emotion that swept us and the huge number of people who did their best to express their love, admiration and respect for our dear Mother.”

Queen Elizabeth II’s eight grandchildren are due to stand near her coffin on Saturday. Charles’ sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, will attend with Princess Anne’s children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie; and two children of Prince Edward – Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.

William, who became heir to the throne after his grandmother’s death, will stand at the head of the coffin and Harry at the foot. Both princes, who are military veterans, will be wearing military uniforms.

Most senior members of the royal family hold honorary military positions and wear military uniforms to commemorate the Queen. Harry, who served in Afghanistan as a British Army officer, wore civilian clothes during the Queen’s coffin procession from Buckingham Palace because he was no longer a working member of the royal family. He and wife Megan quit their royal duties and moved to the United States in 2020.

However, the King requested that both William and Harry wear their military uniforms at the vigil at Westminster Hall.

The people queuing to see the Queen were of all ages and from all walks of life. Many bowed before the ark or made the sign of the cross. Several veterans, whose medals were shining in the spotlight, gave sharp salutes. Some people cried. Many hugged each other as they left, proud to spend hours in line to pay tribute, even if it only lasted a few moments.

Among the mourners on Friday was former England captain David Beckham, who queued for nearly 12 hours to pay his respects. Wearing a white shirt and black tie, he bowed briefly to the coffin before leaving Westminster Hall.

“We have been fortunate as a nation to have someone who has led us the way Her Majesty has led us, for a while, with kindness, with care and reassurance always,” Beckham told reporters afterwards.

The state of lying is set to continue until Monday morning, when the Queen’s coffin will be taken to nearby Westminster Abbey for a state funeral, the conclusion of 10 days of national mourning for Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Elizabeth, 96, died at her home in Balmoral, Scotland on September 8 thereafter 70 years on the throne.

Hundreds of heads of state, royals and political leaders from around the world are heading to London for the funeral, including US President Joe Biden, Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

After the service at the Abbey, the late Queen’s coffin will be transported through the historic heart of London on a horse-drawn rifle carriage. She will then be taken to Windsor, where the Queen will be buried alongside her late husband Prince Philip, who died last year.

Hundreds of soldiers from the British Army, Air Force and Navy took part in an early morning rehearsal on Saturday for the final march. As troops line The Long Walk, a scenic route leading to Windsor Castle, drums echoed into the night as bands marched before playing.

London police said the funeral would be the largest single policing event the force has ever undertaken, surpassing even the 2012 Summer Olympics and the Platinum Jubilee in June to celebrate the Queen’s 70-year reign.

“The pool of officers, police personnel and all those supporting the operation is truly enormous,” said Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Conde.

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Follow the Associated Press’ coverage of Queen Elizabeth II on https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii

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