LONDON Thousands of people will be able to see the body of Britain’s late Queen Elizabeth from Wednesday evening until early on the day of her funeral. This is called a “lie-in-state.”
Before her state funeral on September 19, which will be attended by world leaders, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
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The ministry said that the coffin would be open to the public 24 hours a day from 5 p.m. (1600 GMT) on Wednesday, September 14, until 6.30 a.m. on Saturday, September 19.
“Those who want to go will have to wait in line for many hours, maybe even all night,” the British culture ministry said.
“Large crowds are expected, and people are asked to check ahead, make plans, and be ready for long wait times,” it said on Monday.
Westminster Hall, the oldest building in Britain’s Parliament, will have security checks like at an airport. There will be strict rules, and only small bags will be allowed.
On Wednesday, the queen’s coffin will be moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in a ceremony that will go through the centre of London.
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Elizabeth died at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands on September 8. On Sunday, her body was taken to Edinburgh. On Tuesday, it will be flown to London.