Queen Elizabeth II funeral: when did the lying-in-state end, and what happens after

Beth Franklin
By Beth Franklin
Published 19th Sep 2022, 07:07 BST
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Queen Elizabeth II’s lying in state has officially ended this morning.

Queen Elizabeth II’s lying in state officially ended at 6.30am on Monday 19 September.

The period saw thousands of people flock from around the world to Westminster Hall in the Palace of Westminster in order to pay their respects to the Queen.

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Members of the public were able to file past the catafalque, which is a raised platform, that The Queen’s coffin rested on.

Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, London, ahead of her funeral on Monday. Picture: Yui Mok/PA WireMembers of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, London, ahead of her funeral on Monday. Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, London, ahead of her funeral on Monday. Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire

However, at 6:30am this morning this period officially came to end after it first opened on Wednesday, September 14 at 5pm. Just less than a week after she died.

The thousands of people who took to the city to pay their respects saw a huge queue form around London with wait times sometimes reaching 24 hours. David Beckham was one of the people who endured the wait to pay his respects to Her Majesty.

So, what is expected to happen following the end of The Queen’s lying in state? Here’s everything you need to know.

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When did the queue close?

The queue officially closed to new entrants at 10:30pm on Sunday, September 18.

The department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced its closure with a statement that read: “The queue to attend Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State is at final capacity and is now closed to new entrants. Please do not attempt to join the queue

“Stewards will manage those already nearby. Thank you for your understanding”

What will happen after The Queen’s lying in state has ended?

Following the end of The Queen’s lying in state the doors to Westminster Abbey will open at 8am to welcome the 2,000 invitees.

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10.44am Her Majesty’s coffin will be moved from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey for the state funeral. The service is expected to begin at 11am and will be followed by a national two-minute silence at 11:55am.

According to the Government website, A public procession will begin at 12.15pm as Her Majesty’s coffin travels from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in London.

Her Majesty’s coffin will then be carried from Wellington Arch by the State Hearse to Windsor where The Queen will be laid to rest.

The Government’s website states The Queen’s hearse is due to arrive in Albert Road and at 3.10pm.

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When is The Queen’s funeral?

A spokesperson for the Royal family said: “The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19th September 2022 at 1100hrs.”

What will happened at The Queen’s funeral?