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LONDON — The line of mourners waiting for the chance to pay their final respects to Queen Elizabeth II in London grew so long that it was closed for several hours Friday.
It is back up and running, but with a 24-hour wait time, meaning a difficult evening ahead for those joining the line as temperatures start to dip Friday night.
Still, thousands are determined to get the chance to file past the queen's coffin in Westminster Hall, where she will lie in state until the funeral Monday.
King Charles and his wife, Camilla, who have already attended ceremonies in Scotland and Northern Ireland, returned to London from Wales to join his siblings to mount a vigil by the queen's coffin.
Here’s what to know:
- The queen will continue to lie in state at Westminster Hall until her funeral Monday.
- King Charles and the queen consort traveled to Wales, where they attended a thanksgiving service at Cardiff’s Llandaff Cathedral before joining a reception at Cardiff Castle, a building steeped in 2,000 years of history.
- Following the visit to Wales, the king hosted a reception for faith leaders at Buckingham Palace.
- Charles and his siblings mounted a vigil by the queen's coffin.
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People continue to queue to pay respect to the queen
Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako head to London for queen's funeral
TOKYO — Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako left for Britain on Saturday to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral to pay respects to her and the British royal family who considered as a model for Japan’s monarchy in modern history.
Naruhito and Masako’s trip to Britain is their first as the Emperor and Empress. The Queen’s invitation for them to visit following Naruhito’s 2019 ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne had to be postponed due to the pandemic.
Traditionally, a Japanese emperor stays away from funerals except for those of their own parents because of a cultural belief based in the Shinto religion that considers death impure.
The decision for the emperor and empress to attend the queen’s funeral underscores the importance and the deep bond between the royal families. Former Emperor Akihito, as crown prince, attended the Queen’s 1953 coronation and her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Queen Elizabeth visited Japan in 1975.
Man accused of sexually assaulting women waiting to see queen
London police said a man was charged Friday with two counts of sexual assault after two women reported being assaulted in a garden where people were waiting in line to see Queen Elizabeth’s coffin lying in state.
Adio Adeshine, 19, who appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, was also charged with two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order, the Metropolitan Police said.
“As those present in the queue will have seen, officers were on hand to immediately respond and arrest the man,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said in a statement.
“Stewards and police officers in London are present throughout the route to help and support those who are queuing to pay their respects to Her Majesty the Queen ... There has been very little crime or other incidents where officers have had to intervene.”
Planeloads of Turkish carnations headed to the UK for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral
ISTANBUL — Planeloads of Turkish carnations are headed to the United Kingdom for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral next Monday.
Flower producers in southern Turkey are working to meet high demand for the event in London.
Turkish Cargo said Friday that after the queen’s death last week orders for flowers shot up by 90%. Suppliers chose air transport over trucks to cope with demand and deliver on time.
The cargo company said more than 500,000 flower stems, weighing around 13 metric tons, are being sent to London.
Turkey is a major exporter of cut flowers, principally carnations, to Europe.
Queen's children surround her coffin in somber vigil
King Charles III and his siblings stood in silent contemplation as they guarded their mother’s coffin in Westminster Hall.
The new monarch was joined by his brothers, Princes Andrew and Edward, and his sister, Princess Anne.
All were dressed in military uniforms after an exception was made for Andrew, who is no longer a working royal after he was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages. On this occasion, he was allowed to wear the uniform as a “special mark of respect” for the queen.
Other members of the family, including some of Elizabeth's grandchildren, looked on.
King to host reception for heads of state and other officials before funeral
King Charles III and Camilla, queen consort, will host a reception for heads of state and other “official overseas guests” at Buckingham Palace, ahead of the queen’s funeral Monday, the palace said in a statement.
Royal family 'overwhelmed by the tide of emotion,' Prince Edward says
The royal family has been “overwhelmed by the tide of emotion” in the wake of the queen’s death, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and Forfar, said.
“We have been overwhelmed by the tide of emotion that has engulfed us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect to such a very special and unique person who was always there for us,” Edward said as he viewed flowers left by mourners at Windsor Castle.
“Thank you for your support, you have no idea how much it means,” he said, adding that his mother's memory should be “long cherished even as the baton she has carried for these past 70 years now passes to the next generation and to my brother, Charles.”