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The Queen lying in state: everything you need to know and how to pay your respects

Lying in state takes place in the days immediately preceding the Queen's funeral


lying in state queen© Photo: Getty Images
Eve Crosbie
TV & Film Writer
Updated: September 16, 2022
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Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Queen's funeral will take place on Monday 19 September at 11am, with the service taking place at Westminster Abbey.

MORE: The Queen begins her final journey - how King Charles and family will accompany her on her final journey

Ahead of what is sure to be a solemn and historic event, members of the public are able to attend and view the Queen's coffin to pay their respects to the late monarch as part of a centuries-old tradition known as lying in state

WATCH: What can we expect from the Queen's state funeral?

What does lying in state mean?

Lying in state is the tradition in which the closed coffin of a deceased well-known public figure or monarch is placed on view in a state building so that the members of the public can pay their respects in person. It is usually reserved for the Sovereign, current or past Queen Consorts, and occasionally other distinguished figures, such as former prime ministers.

queen lying in state© Photo: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth lying in state at Westminster Hall

Although it dates back to the 17th century, the first British monarch to lie in state at Westminster Hall was King Edward VII in 1910. The last member of the royal family to lie in state in the hall was the Queen Mother in 2002, which saw more than 200,000 people queue up to pay their respects.

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Where is the Queen lying in state?

The Queen is lying in state in Westminster Hall. A procession, with the royal family walking alongside her coffin, took place from Buckingham Palace to deliver Her Majesty to the hall, which was followed by a ceremony attended by her family members.

When is the Queen be lying in state?

Until Monday 19 September, the coffin will be in Westminster Hall, where it rests on a raised platform - known as a catafalque - in the middle of the Cathedral. The coffin is draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown, orb and sceptre resting above it.

How can I go and see the Queen lying in state?

Many thousands of people are filing past the coffin to pay their respects, with a queue stretching several miles through central London, with wait times of up to 14 hours in place. On 16 September, the queue was closed for over six hours as it had reached capacity. It is advised to check whether the queue is allowing new people to join before making your way to it. 

queue to see queen© Photo: Getty Images

The queue is see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state

The full address for Westminster Hall is 3 St Margaret St, London SW1P 3JX, and the nearest tube station is St. James's Park which is on the Circle and District Lines. It is also accessible from Westminster station, which is on the same lines and also can be reached on the Jubilee line.

READ: 'A wave of emotion hit me': Royal mourners tell HELLO! why they felt compelled to see the Queen lying in state after long queue

It will be open 24 hours a day from 5pm on 14 September until 6.30am on the day of the funeral.

Security measures are in place so only one small bag per person is permitted, and no flowers or other tribute items such as soft toys and photographs can be taken through the security search point. Those wishing to leave flowers are encouraged to go to the dedicated area in Green Park.

For those unable to travel, the lying-in-state will be broadcast on the BBC, Sky News and ITV.

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