Those wishing to pay their last respects to Queen Elizabeth II as she resides in the Houses of Parliament in London need to prepare for a long wait.
The government has published guidelines for those wishing to file the late Queen’s closed coffin as it is located at the Palace of Westminster from 5 pm (1600 GMT) on Wednesday to 6:30 am (0530 GMT) on 19 September . Thousands are expected to pay tribute to the only monarch known to many in the United Kingdom.
The rules were made public on Sunday, a day after thousands of people lined roads and bridges as a chariot carried the Queen’s coffin from her beloved Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh in the Scottish countryside.
“If you wish to lie in the state, please note that there will be a queue, which is expected to be very long. With very little opportunity for you to sit,” the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports said in its guidelines. , will probably need to stand overnight, as the queue will go on continuously.
The closed coffin of the monarch, who died at 96 on Thursday, will rest on a raised platform in the Houses of Parliament at Westminster Hall.
“Large crowds are expected, and public transport and road closures around the area are likely to be delayed,” the ministry warned.
Read | Time to Say Goodbye: Journey to Queen Elizabeth’s Coffin
Visitors must go through airport-style security and can only bring a small bag with a zip opening. Larger bags can be kept in a special facility – but only if space is available.
The ministry advises people with potentially long waits to bring essentials that may have been exposed to the elements thrown at them on an early fall day in London – an umbrella or sunscreen, a cell phone power bank and any necessary medicine.
No food or liquids will be allowed before the security check in the Houses of Parliament. Nor do flowers or other tributes such as candles, toys or photographs.
“Please respect the dignity of this event and behave appropriately. Inside the Palace of Westminster you must be silent,” says Salah, adding that people should dress appropriately and switch off their mobile phones before going through security.
The list of things not to do includes: “Use film, photographs, mobile phones or other handheld devices in a security search area or within the Palace of Westminster. Bring or erect gazebos or tents. Light barbecue and fire.”
And a long list of prohibited items includes fireworks, smoke cans, flares, whistles, laser equipment and other items that can be used to cause disturbance, as well as any banners, placards, flags, advertisements or marketing message.
Read | Queen Elizabeth’s coffin arrives as mourners queue in Edinburgh
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