Westminster Hall

The public will be invited to view the Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall from Wednesday afternoon to the morning of her funeral on Monday.

The tradition of lying in state stretches back to the 17th century when Stuart sovereigns lay in state for a number of days. It was the first lying in state where members of the public were subjected to a security check, which slowed the movement of the mourners. The last person to lie in state in the UK was the Queen Mother in 2002. On top of her coffin in Westminster Hall was her coronation crown, set with the Koh-i-noor diamond, and a handwritten message from her daughter, the Queen, reading: “In loving memory, Lilibet”. It is likely that the Queen’s children or even grandchildren will honour her with a vigil and join the guard over the coffin at some point – a tradition which has been called the Vigil of the Princes. Westminster Hall is the oldest building the parliamentary estate, it dates back to 1099 and has been the site of key events, such as the trial of Charles I, coronation banquets, and addresses by world leaders.

Buckingham Palace is expecting at least 500,000 people to file through Westminster Hall next week to see the Queen's coffin. Tributes from MPs to the Queen ...

An estimated 200,000 came to see the Queen Mother lie in state at Westminster Hall in 2002. Parliamentary authorities are preparing for the Queen to lie in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday, with an expected 500,000 people set to pay their respects. Parliament prepares for Queen to lie in state at Westminster Hall

The best ways to travel to London to see the Queen lying-in-state or to visit Buckingham Palace ahead of her funeral. Britain's King Charles and Queen ...

[Queen’s state funeral](https://go.skimresources.com/?id=55199X1622456&isjs=1&jv=15.3.0-stackpath&sref=https%3A%2F%2Finews.co.uk%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dfuneral%23gsc.tab%3D0%26gsc.q%3Dfuneral%26gsc.page%3D1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fclient%3Dinternal-element-cse%26cx%3D011782314020777428663%3Aycznkklrfq5%26q%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Finews.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fqueen-funeral-when-date-state-elizabeth-ii-why-uk-bank-holiday-explained-1847453%26sa%3DU%26ved%3D2ahUKEwiEnKTt_Yz6AhXEw4UKHf0KBmAQFnoECAcQAg%26usg%3DAOvVaw2JsUo6pTdh4y-dUWFgt_Np&xs=1&xtz=-60&xuuid=d94eff33df619c37e9de9f09cd3ade17&xjsf=other_click__contextmenu%20%5B0%5D?ico=in-line_link), the route of the procession will be closed. The cortage will leave Buckingham Palace at 2.22 pm and should arrive at Westminster Abbey at 3 pm. The bus routes 3, 12, 53, 53X, 87, 109, 159 and 453 also stop close to Westminster Abbey. There are no parking facilities at Westminster Abbey. It will be guarded by soldiers. From Victoria, you can walk to Buckingham Palace within around 10 minutes. [nearest tube stations](https://www.london-tickets.co.uk/westminster-abbey/getting-there/) to Westminster Abbey are St James’s Park (Circle and District Line), Westminster (Jubilee, Circle and District Line), Victoria (Victoria, Circle and District Line) and Waterloo (Jubilee, Northern and Bakerloo Line). [lying-in-state in London](https://go.skimresources.com/?id=55199X1622456&isjs=1&jv=15.3.0-stackpath&sref=https%3A%2F%2Finews.co.uk%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dlying%2Bin%2Bstate%23gsc.tab%3D0%26gsc.q%3Dlying%2520in%2520state%26gsc.page%3D1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fclient%3Dinternal-element-cse%26cx%3D011782314020777428663%3Aycznkklrfq5%26q%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Finews.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flying-in-state-mean-where-public-visit-queen-coffin-what-meaning-explained-1843526%26sa%3DU%26ved%3D2ahUKEwjYoL6a_Yz6AhVh_CoKHcH2AjoQFnoECAIQAg%26usg%3DAOvVaw08i3pihtOMSPKA_JZrYGEt&xs=1&xtz=-60&xuuid=bd2b9d91457c309bce37e0fe484a5bbe&xjsf=other_click__contextmenu%20%5B0%5D?ico=in-line_link), it is being placed in Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster, and will be on view to the public from [Wednesday 14 September](https://go.skimresources.com/?id=55199X1622456&isjs=1&jv=15.3.0-stackpath&sref=https%3A%2F%2Finews.co.uk%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dlying%2Bin%2Bstate%23gsc.tab%3D0%26gsc.q%3Dlying%2520in%2520state%26gsc.page%3D1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fclient%3Dinternal-element-cse%26cx%3D011782314020777428663%3Aycznkklrfq5%26q%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Finews.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fqueen-lying-in-state-when-how-long-pay-respects-state-funeral-1848381%26sa%3DU%26ved%3D2ahUKEwjYoL6a_Yz6AhVh_CoKHcH2AjoQFnoECAYQAg%26usg%3DAOvVaw2r5jZgrViD9mJtXi96tXRI&xs=1&xtz=-60&xuuid=bd2b9d91457c309bce37e0fe484a5bbe&xjsf=other_click__contextmenu%20%5B0%5D?ico=in-line_link). [the state funeral](https://inews.co.uk/news/state-funeral-what-meaning-when-last-uk-who-gets-explained-1847949?ico=in-line_link) at [Westminster Abbey](https://inews.co.uk/news/the-queen-funeral-route-map-where-see-london-coffin-procession-time-state-funeral-1849046?ico=in-line_link), the [Queen’s coffin will lie in state at Westminster Hall for four days](https://inews.co.uk/news/queen-lying-in-state-when-how-long-pay-respects-state-funeral-1848381?ico=in-line_link), after initially resting at [Buckingham Palace](https://inews.co.uk/topic/buckingham-palace?ico=in-line_link). [ the protocols of Operation Unicorn](https://inews.co.uk/news/operation-unicorn-plan-what-happens-next-queen-dies-balmoral-explained-1841749?ico=in-line_link) – which came into effect [because she died in Scotland](https://inews.co.uk/news/where-balmoral-queen-visited-scottish-castle-history-explained-1842564?ico=in-line_link) – the [Queen’s coffin will be transported to London](https://inews.co.uk/news/queen-lie-in-state-will-where-public-pay-respects-meaning-tradition-explained-1843052?ico=in-line_link), where it [will lie in state for several days](https://inews.co.uk/news/lying-in-state-mean-where-public-visit-queen-coffin-what-meaning-explained-1843526?ico=in-line_link). [mourners have gathered in their thousands](https://inews.co.uk/news/king-charles-kissed-hand-visitors-mourning-crowds-buckingham-palace-1846054?ico=in-line_link) at the [palace to pay their respect](https://inews.co.uk/news/king-charles-iii-first-speech-nation-today-uk-period-mourning-queen-1843363?ico=in-line_link)s – here’s how to visit the royal residence. [the Queen’s state funeral](https://inews.co.uk/news/queen-state-funeral-will-schedule-elizabeth-ii-mourning-period-explained-1840745?ico=in-line_link) is Monday 19 September, it has now been confirmed, and [which will mark a bank holiday](https://inews.co.uk/news/bank-holiday-queen-death-will-uk-day-off-date-state-funeral-explained-1847177?ico=in-line_link) and [an official day of national mourning](https://inews.co.uk/news/national-mourning-what-mean-how-long-uk-period-queen-happen-explained-1843448?ico=in-line_link) around the UK.

Doors of Westminster Hall to be open 24 hours a day as thousands file past coffin.

[Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) Queuers will be given wristbands to prevent individuals queuing on behalf of someone else. [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism In a statement setting out arrangements, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport warned: “If you wish to attend the lying-in-state, please note that there will be a queue, which is expected to be very long. [Westminster Hall](/topic/westminster-hall) will remain open 24 hours a day to allow thousands of members of the public to pay their respects to Queen [Elizabeth II](/topic/elizabeth-ii) as she lies in state for four and a half days before her funeral, it has been announced. Queues of those wishing to file past the coffin are expected to be many hours long, and officials warned that some may have to queue overnight for their opportunity to pass through the hall - a process that may take only a matter of minutes.