that the royal household has transferred this responsibility to the state. we area we are a couple of minutes from the first members of public being allowed into westminster hall. you left us here an hour or so ago and politicians from westminster, the scottish parliament, the senedd and the northern ireland assembly filed past the coffin, along with the politicians, parliamentary staff and loyal and devoted members of queen's household. some bowed their head. some crossed themselves. some said a silent prayer. others wiped away a tear. once the invited guests had

left the hall, black rod closed the doors and for 45 minutes or so, this ancient space was prepared for the arrival of members of the public. the jewellers placed the orb and sceptre which is used at coronations, a representation of the power the dominion of christ over the world. it sits there alongside the world. it sits there alongside the imperial state crown. and that arrangement of flowers, some from balmoral, some from windsor. the duty officer bangs his stick twice. to signal a change of the guard.

yeomen of the guard and the gentlemen at arms make their way into the centre of westminster hall. they will be on duty around—the—clock between now and monday morning. when the coffins carried to westminster abbey for the funeral. these ancient orders of royal body guards will be joined by member of the royal company of archers, the queen's body guard in scotland. who we saw on duty at st giles' cathedral in edinburgh.

the yeomen of the guard, soldiers from all branches of the british armed services. sharing duties with them, officers from the regiments of them, officers from the regiments of the household division, four at a time, one at each corner of the coffin. members of household cavalry. laterthey coffin. members of household cavalry. later they will hand responsibility to the grenadier guards, the coldstream guards and the welsh, irish and scottish guards. police officers on each corner too,

wearing their noi police officers on each corner too, wearing their no i ceremonial uniform. once this change of personnel guarding the coffin is complete, i think we are going to see the first members of the public allowed in. black rod striding through westminster hall. the fist female black rod in the 650—year—old history of the job. she has black rod in the 650—year—old history of thejob. she has played black rod in the 650—year—old history of the job. she has played a major role in the organisation of the events we have seen so far here at westminster hall. a thumbs up

from a member of parliamentary staff. which i think means we must be very close to the doors being opened. as we were saying, last night her majesty rested at buckingham palace, her last night at the residence she knew the throughout her 96 years. the focus of family grief. but that now changes to the public grief, as her subjects have the chance to pay their respects. its thought as many as three quarters of a million people may pass through here between now and the state funeral on monday. some of the state funeral on monday. some of the people that we are seeing coming

in here have been queueing for two nights, waiting to ensure their place at the very front of the line of those anxious to spend a moment walking around the coffin. we will never know what this means to each and every person here.

respect for the monarch. perhaps also transference of personal grief? and a deep sympathy for the monarch's children. that shared experience of losing parents that many of us will know.

some people have just some people havejust made a some people have just made a short journey to be here from london and its suburbs, other have travelled further. i have heard accounts of people who have made long international flights in order to people who have made long internationalflights in order to be here. one person saying they'd known her majesty the queen that she had been part of their life for all their life and they wanted to come here to pay final respects and end what they considered their shared story. so from now until monday morning, the people will come here, will file

past the coffin. the bbc is launching a live stream of the lying—in—state for people who are unable to be here and want to pay their respects virtually. it is available now on the bbc home page on the bbc news web—site and app. the iplayer and the red button. and on the bbc parliament channel. and that live stream will be on air all the time members of the public are allowed into westminster hall. night and day. as they come to pay their respects to queen elizabeth the second. thank you. petroc trelawny inside

westminster hall as the first members of the public are allowed in to pay their respects. they have been waiting patiently. with me in the studio for some closing thoughts after such a memorable afternoon, a moving afternoon, robert hardman and katie nicholls still with me. robert we were seeing the images of procession, what was the impression that made on you? i procession, what was the impression that made on you?— that made on you? i thought it was faultless and _ that made on you? i thought it was faultless and inspiring _ that made on you? i thought it was faultless and inspiring and - that made on you? i thought it was faultless and inspiring and i - that made on you? i thought it was faultless and inspiring and i think l faultless and inspiring and i think impossible to have watched it without feeling immense pride and a great poignancy. there were her family, obviously the children walking behind. also everyone in that procession had reason to be incredibly honoured and touched to be there. because they had all a connection with her. it was nice to see her closest staff, her pages, her palace steward. they all knew

her palace steward. they all knew her terribly well and right alongside the coffin, i thought it was very sweet there were her equerries, the people from the forces who would spend three years at a time working closely with her. she loved her equerries and they are all there. ., she loved her equerries and they are all there-- it — she loved her equerries and they are all there.- it was _ she loved her equerries and they are all there.- it was just - all there. katie? it was 'ust erfect all there. katie? it was 'ust perfect in i all there. katie? it was 'ust perfect in every * all there. katie? it was 'ust perfect in every way. h all there. katie? it was 'ust perfect in every way. it h all there. katie? it wasjust perfect in every way. it is i all there. katie? it wasjust perfect in every way. it is a| all there. katie? it wasjust - perfect in every way. it is a moment that has_ perfect in every way. it is a moment that has been planned for many years and we _ that has been planned for many years and we have — that has been planned for many years and we have seen a contingency plan put into— and we have seen a contingency plan put into place, but you can never guarantee — put into place, but you can never guarantee everything. it wasjust perfect — guarantee everything. it wasjust perfect. and i think you can almost the queen— perfect. and i think you can almost the queen looking down and being very. _ the queen looking down and being very. very— the queen looking down and being very, very pleased with how today played _ very, very pleased with how today played out. it very, very pleased with how today played out-— played out. it is good to have you both with us. _ played out. it is good to have you both with us. robert _ played out. it is good to have you both with us. robert and - played out. it is good to have you both with us. robert and katie. i played out. it is good to have you i both with us. robert and katie. and thank you to all our guests. it has been a moving afternoon, dignified and solemn. but the queen's body is now lying in state in westminster

hall ahead of state funeral which takes place on monday. from us here, the bbc team at buckingham palace, goodbye. now passing under the great arch for the last time queen elizabeth ii. the cortege passing the statues of

king george the sixth and the queen mother. members of the royal family now saluting as they pass the cenotaph.

hello and welcome. you're watching bbc news. welcome to viewers across the uk and around the world. we continue our coverage here, and look at these images from inside westminster hall, in the heart of london, as her majesty queen elizabeth ii is now lying in state in this hall, where she will remain until the morning of herfuneral on monday. just in the last 15 minutes, the doors have opened to members of the doors have opened to members of the public. what we are seeing now

is those people that were at the front of the queue, some who had been queueing for several days, potentially, to be among the first members of the public to pay their respects at the start of four days of lying in state. we will stay with these images as we watch them a little, if you follow them, it is incredibly moving to watch and to think about why each individual person has chosen to be there, has wanted to be there. very, very touching at the beginning, shortly after five o'clock, when the doors first opened and we saw the first men and women, coming through. and the number of people who stood, silent, obviously, but the number of people who just did a gentle bow.

several people put their hands together, almost to say thank you. a substantial number of people in tears. we wonder what goes through anyone's mind as they stand there. who are they thinking of? who are they remembering? perhaps thinking of loved ones they have lost. over the course of the next hour, we will be talking to many of the people who are still queueing, many of them who have a very, very long wait ahead, to say farewell to her majesty the queen. we reached this moment, of course, after a procession from buckingham palace, through to westminster hall. thousands of people lining the mall, as we have seen for the last few days, as the queen's coffin was brought on a gun

carriage to where it is now, at westminster hall. james landale much that procession, as we might expect, carried out with absolute precision, something the military had rehearsed for unprepared for. but still moving because the queen's closest family members were behind the gun carriage. you were watching it all. give us a sense of what your experience? give us a sense of what your experience?_ give us a sense of what your experience? give us a sense of what your exerience? ., ., . , , experience? you watch these things from time to — experience? you watch these things from time to time, _ experience? you watch these things from time to time, you _ experience? you watch these things from time to time, you see - experience? you watch these things from time to time, you see the - from time to time, you see the ceremonial, and yet it never fails to move. i had a particularly lucky vantage point from parliament, so i could see everything as it arrived. what struck me is that it is one thing to watch all of the events of the last week or so, as most of us have, it's another thing to actually see it in person. you could see, talking to people, looking in the crowds, that the importance of being

there in person is that that is the moment, almost, when the penny drops. i was at stjames's palace on saturday morning. i was talking to some of the members of the privy council who had been inside that accession council, when the death of the monarch was formally proclaimed and the new monarch was proclaimed. but for them, that was their moment, when the penny dropped. when you heard somebody stand up and say, god save the king. that is the reason, i think, why we see so many people lining the streets, so many people in the queue, just passing. it is for them, in the queue, just passing. it is forthem, being in person, gives in the queue, just passing. it is for them, being in person, gives it a reality. white margotjames, you will stay with us for our coverage. we are told that the queue is currently 2.8 miles long, that is the official distance that we are given. the official distance that we are civen. , ., ~ ., , ., given. lets talk to geeta guru-murthy. _

given. lets talk to geeta guru-murthy. you - given. lets talk to geeta guru-murthy. you are i given. lets talk to geeta - guru-murthy. you are chatting to guru—murthy. you are chatting to people queueing. guru-murthy. you are chatting to peeple queueing-— guru-murthy. you are chatting to people queueing. thanks very much indeed. people queueing. thanks very much indeed- we — people queueing. thanks very much indeed. we are _ people queueing. thanks very much indeed. we are joined _ people queueing. thanks very much indeed. we are joined by _ people queueing. thanks very much indeed. we are joined by nicky, - people queueing. thanks very much i indeed. we are joined by nicky, when indeed. we arejoined by nicky, when did you get here? we are right at the front of the queue. i got here at about 8am _ the front of the queue. i got here at about 8am this _ the front of the queue. i got here at about 8am this morning. - the front of the queue. i got here at about 8am this morning. howl the front of the queue. i got here i at about 8am this morning. how has it been? absolutely _ at about 8am this morning. how has it been? absolutely fine. _ at about 8am this morning. how has it been? absolutely fine. we - at about 8am this morning. how has it been? absolutely fine. we have i it been? absolutely fine. we have met some lovely _ it been? absolutely fine. we have met some lovely people, - it been? absolutely fine. we have met some lovely people, we - it been? absolutely fine. we have met some lovely people, we have j it been? absolutely fine. we have - met some lovely people, we have had quite a _ met some lovely people, we have had quite a nice _ met some lovely people, we have had quite a nice day with them, sharing snacks, _ quite a nice day with them, sharing snacks, watching the procession. telling _ snacks, watching the procession. telling stories, and the sunshine. luckily, _ telling stories, and the sunshine. luckily, it— telling stories, and the sunshine. luckily, it hasn't— telling stories, and the sunshine. luckily, it hasn't rained. - telling stories, and the sunshine. luckily, it hasn't rained. it - telling stories, and the sunshine. luckily, it hasn't rained. it has . luckily, it hasn't rained. it has lifted — luckily, it hasn't rained. it has lifted everyone's_ luckily, it hasn't rained. it has lifted everyone's spirits - luckily, it hasn't rained. it has lifted everyone's spirits even i luckily, it hasn't rained. it has - lifted everyone's spirits even more. everybody — lifted everyone's spirits even more. everybody i — lifted everyone's spirits even more. everybody i spoke _ lifted everyone's spirits even more. everybody i spoke to _ lifted everyone's spirits even more. everybody i spoke to came - lifted everyone's spirits even more. everybody i spoke to came at - lifted everyone's spirits even more. everybody i spoke to came at about 7.30 or eight o'clock. why did you want to be here? i'zre 7.30 or eight o'clock. why did you want to be here?— 7.30 or eight o'clock. why did you want to be here? i've grown up with the queen. — want to be here? i've grown up with the queen. and _ want to be here? i've grown up with the queen, and i— want to be here? i've grown up with the queen, and i felt _ want to be here? i've grown up with the queen, and i felt she _ want to be here? i've grown up with the queen, and i felt she has - want to be here? i've grown up with| the queen, and i felt she has served the queen, and ifelt she has served us, her country, and ijust felt that we needed to serve her. it was just something i needed to do and i wanted to do. so i asked my daughter

to come with me. find wanted to do. so i asked my daughter to come with me.— to come with me. and you are about to come with me. and you are about to to in, to come with me. and you are about to go in. you — to come with me. and you are about to go in. you have — to come with me. and you are about to go in, you have very _ to come with me. and you are about to go in, you have very kindly - to go in, you have very kindly paused to talk to us, thank you. you have been here a long time. how are you feeling now that you are literally at the front of the entrance? ads, literally at the front of the entrance?— literally at the front of the entrance? , ., ., , ., , entrance? a bit anxious, actually. it's kind entrance? a bit anxious, actually. it's kind of— entrance? a bit anxious, actually. it's kind of setting _ entrance? a bit anxious, actually. it's kind of setting in _ entrance? a bit anxious, actually. it's kind of setting in that - entrance? a bit anxious, actually. it's kind of setting in that it - entrance? a bit anxious, actually. it's kind of setting in that it is - it's kind of setting in that it is all a — it's kind of setting in that it is all a bit — it's kind of setting in that it is all a bit real. it is the closure of it, really. — all a bit real. it is the closure of it, really. so, yes, my heart is probably— it, really. so, yes, my heart is probably going ten to a dozen. | probably going ten to a dozen. i think probably going ten to a dozen. think it probably going ten to a dozen. i think it will be emotional. i think it is going to be the quietness that will be more powerful than anything else. you know what i mean? ijust think it's going to be... a lovely thing to do. you know? i wanted to come, and i'm here. and i would have waited all night. but we are going to get through. just waited all night. but we are going to get through-— waited all night. but we are going to get through. just finally, how do ou feel to get through. just finally, how do you feel about _ to get through. just finally, how do you feel about king _ to get through. just finally, how do you feel about king charles? - to get through. just finally, how do you feel about king charles? from |

you feel about king charles? from what we have seen the last week, do you think the nation is ready to move on? i you think the nation is ready to move on?— you think the nation is ready to move on? i think so, i have felt really sorry _ move on? i think so, i have felt really sorry for _ move on? i think so, i have felt really sorry for him _ move on? i think so, i have felt really sorry for him to - move on? i think so, i have felt really sorry for him to be - move on? i think so, i have felt really sorry for him to be in - move on? i think so, i have felt really sorry for him to be in the | really sorry for him to be in the public— really sorry for him to be in the public eye _ really sorry for him to be in the public eye and still trying to grieve _ public eye and still trying to grieve. you know, ithink that public eye and still trying to grieve. you know, i think that he has a _ grieve. you know, i think that he has a big — grieve. you know, i think that he has a big pair of shoes to fill. but ithink— has a big pair of shoes to fill. but ithihk he — has a big pair of shoes to fill. but i think he will be absolutely fine. we will— i think he will be absolutely fine. we will let you go. thank you so much for being with us and it was very kind of you to wait. we hope you can pay your respects peacefully. this queue, as you can see, is moving. we are right at the frontier. people will go round and we are going to be seeing them going into the black rod garden, in the house of lords end of the palace of westminster. where the queen has been lying in state as the other side of the building. so everybody goes through airport security. there are about eight lanes of airport security, bags are checked, no food under, lots of stipulations about what you can and can't bring. small bags, they are told to turn their

phones off when they are getting nearer to the actual room at westminster hall. we know that this park, which you can see, is holding a good number of people already. there are lots of people in the zigzag lines, just over there. this park can hold 8000 people. once you are in the zigzag, i am told it is about three hours from the back of that to the entrance. as i said, a lot of people i spoke to at the front of the queue, about 20 minutes ago, they had joined at about 7.30 or eight o'clock this morning. and they were all very pleased to have done so, they have had a good day. we can see if we can speak to some more people, perhaps, who have joined the queue. as you can see, there is all sorts of ages, people from all parts of the country. excuse me, are you able to talk to bbc news about why you have come today? can you come a bit nearer to

the microphone? what is your name? emily. the microphone? what is your name? emil . ., ., ., i'm the microphone? what is your name? emily-— i'm nine- i emily. how old are you? i'm nine. wh did emily. how old are you? i'm nine. why did you _ emily. how old are you? i'm nine. why did you want _ emily. how old are you? i'm nine. why did you want to _ emily. how old are you? i'm nine. why did you want to come - emily. how old are you? i'm nine. why did you want to come today? | why did you want to come today? because i wanted to pay my respects to the queen. because i wanted to pay my respects to the queen-— ll to the queen. where do you live? i live in farleigh _ to the queen. where do you live? i live in farleigh green. _ to the queen. where do you live? i live in farleigh green. is— to the queen. where do you live? i live in farleigh green. is that - to the queen. where do you live? i live in farleigh green. is that in - live in farleigh green. is that in london? no. — live in farleigh green. is that in london? no, guildford. - live in farleigh green. is that in london? no, guildford. have i live in farleigh green. is that in i london? no, guildford. have you live in farleigh green. is that in - london? no, guildford. have you been uuueuein a london? no, guildford. have you been queueing a long _ london? no, guildford. have you been queueing a long time? _ london? no, guildford. have you been queueing a long time? yes, _ london? no, guildford. have you been queueing a long time? yes, so, - queueing a long time? yes, so, before we _ queueing a long time? yes, so, before we started _ queueing a long time? yes, so, before we started moving, - queueing a long time? yes, so, before we started moving, we i queueing a long time? yes, so, i before we started moving, we had been waiting for six hours. sig. been waiting for six hours. six hours? i been waiting for six hours. six hours? t can — been waiting for six hours. six hours? i can see you have your rucksack on your back. you have had some water and food?— rucksack on your back. you have had some water and food? yeah. how are ou feelin: some water and food? yeah. how are you feeling now _ some water and food? yeah. how are you feeling now that _ some water and food? yeah. how are you feeling now that you _ some water and food? yeah. how are you feeling now that you are - some water and food? man how are you feeling now that you are very near the front?— near the front? i feel rather excited. and _ near the front? i feel rather excited. and happy - near the front? i feel rather excited. and happy that - near the front? i feel rather excited. and happy that we | excited. and happy that we managed to make it through. what excited. and happy that we managed to make it through.— to make it through. what does the queen mean _ to make it through. what does the queen mean to _ to make it through. what does the queen mean to you? _ to make it through. what does the queen mean to you? why - to make it through. what does the queen mean to you? why did - to make it through. what does the queen mean to you? why did you | to make it through. what does the - queen mean to you? why did you want to come? i queen mean to you? why did you want to come? . ., _, , ,

to come? i wanted to come because she has been _ to come? i wanted to come because she has been the _ to come? i wanted to come because she has been the queen _ to come? i wanted to come because she has been the queen my - to come? i wanted to come because she has been the queen my whole i she has been the queen my whole life. and when she died i was very sad. ~ , , ., life. and when she died i was very sad. ~ , life. and when she died i was very sad-_ itecausel life. and when she died i was very . sad._ because she sad. why were you sad? because she had done great _ sad. why were you sad? because she had done great things _ sad. why were you sad? because she had done great things over _ sad. why were you sad? because she had done great things over her - sad. why were you sad? because she had done great things over her 70 - had done great things over her 70 years. had done great things over her 70 ears. �* . had done great things over her 70 ears. . ., , ., , had done great things over her 70 ears. . ., i. , ,., years. and have you seen her son, charles? do _ years. and have you seen her son, charles? do you _ years. and have you seen her son, charles? do you like _ years. and have you seen her son, charles? do you like him, - years. and have you seen her son, charles? do you like him, do - years. and have you seen her son, charles? do you like him, do you i charles? do you like him, do you think you will be a good king? yes. think you will be a good king? yes, because i think _ think you will be a good king? yes, because i think he _ think you will be a good king? yes, because i think he has... _ think you will be a good king? yes, because i think he has... it - think you will be a good king? i'eis because i think he has... it looks as if he has gained his mother's wisdom, from how he has watched his mother. ~ ., �* , wisdom, from how he has watched his mother. . ., �* , ., ., mother. well, that's wonderful to hean mother. well, that's wonderful to hear- thank— mother. well, that's wonderful to hear. thank you _ mother. well, that's wonderful to hear. thank you very _ mother. well, that's wonderful to hear. thank you very much - mother. well, that's wonderful to | hear. thank you very much indeed mother. well, that's wonderful to - hear. thank you very much indeed for being with us, and i hope that you are able to pay your respects very soon. you are very close to the front. well done for making it all this way today. thank you very much indeed. as you can see, there are

people of all ages, all backgrounds. we have spoken to people from various parts of the country. we will be back with you in the coming hours. later on we will be in a different part of the queue, with people who still have some way to go. the queue is nearly three hours long, and three miles long, sorry, three miles, a crucial distinction. my colleaguejames miles, a crucial distinction. my colleague james landale miles, a crucial distinction. my colleaguejames landale is still with me, you were watching the proceedings. the first lady he was spoken to, she effectively said, goodness, this has become realfor me now. that was part of your reflection of what we were witnessing today.- reflection of what we were witnessing today. yes, for many eo - le, witnessing today. yes, for many people. it's _ witnessing today. yes, for many people. it's quite _ witnessing today. yes, for many people, it's quite hard _ witnessing today. yes, for many people, it's quite hard to - witnessing today. yes, for many people, it's quite hard to take i witnessing today. yes, for manyj people, it's quite hard to take in what has happened. the news of the queen's death happens, but does it

sink in? there comes a moment where the scale of the change that we are going through, it is something we are experiencing together. you are seeing it in the way that the ceremonial has been organised for this week. it's amazing how much is involved. people have been amazed how much has been televised, how much the new king has been going around the country. a lot more has been public than would have been 70 years ago. i think it's all part of the process of trying to take people on a journey. if you talk to officials in palace and government, thatis officials in palace and government, that is what they are trying to do, trying to bring people together, because they know this is a crucial moment for the uk. they know it is a crucial moment for the royal family. that is why so much has been planned to make sure it is as accessible as possible. that is why we are seeing what we are seeing today, the sheer

scale of the queues.— scale of the queues. you're staying with us. scale of the queues. you're staying with us- it — scale of the queues. you're staying with us- it is _ scale of the queues. you're staying with us. it is very _ scale of the queues. you're staying with us. it is very moving, - scale of the queues. you're staying with us. it is very moving, isn't - with us. it is very moving, isn't it, tojust look with us. it is very moving, isn't it, to just look at these images from inside westminster hall. i am so struck. people in tears, perhaps we should not be surprised by that when we see that. but the number of people just giving a little nod, when we see that. but the number of peoplejust giving a little nod, a little bow, with their own thoughts, the quiet and silence of westminster hall. that, in itself, very moving indeed. let's talk to a few more people who will be hoping to do exactly that in quite a few hours from now, i have to say, we are going to head further down the queue. let's cross to our correspondent angus crawford. explain where you are. we can see the river behind you. what does that mean for the people around you? how far are they from being able to pay theirfinal far are they from being able to pay

their final respects?— their final respects? well, the truth is, many, _ their final respects? well, the truth is, many, many- their final respects? well, the truth is, many, many hours. i their final respects? well, the | truth is, many, many hours. if their final respects? well, the - truth is, many, many hours. if you know london south bank, i'm standing just outside the royal festival hall. i can see westminster, but the queue you have been talking about snakes out of victoria tower gardens, over lambeth bridge, along the albert embankment, it breaks for westminster bridge, starts again at county hall, past the london eye, which many viewers might know. asked the national theatre. it carries under the bridge and past tate modern, then shakespeare's globe, london bridge, it is now, i believe, parallel with the tower of london, very nearly at tower bridge. very close to three miles. but i think thatis close to three miles. but i think that is just the start. the authorities are preparing for a maximum queue length of ten miles. after tower bridge, it will sneak south into southwark park, and in that park alone there are three miles of zigzag queueing for many more people there. the truth is, if you wish to be in the queue and get

to the front, do what you wish to do, pay your respects, you will have to steel yourself for a very long wait. the authorities are saying come light, travel light, bring only one bag with you, just the thing is that you need, really, to spend a couple of hours here. the queue will move and it will move quickly, so you won't be able to sit down or put up you won't be able to sit down or put up a tent. and when you get to victoria tower gardens, you will find airport style security. don't take anything with you that you would not take on a plane, for example. phones, keep them on silent. there is also a request that people were sombre clothing and remain silent within westminster hall while they are paying their respects. these people behind me, this queue has not moved in the last half hour i have seen. it seems they are moving people along in batches. what you mayjust be able to see is that all of them, on one of their wrists, are wearing a little yellow wristband. that will be crucial. we

love queueing in the uk, but we like fair queueing. that will ensure that as you arrive in the queue you can then be given a wristband. that will have a number on it and that means you can't be queuejumped. for those coming to london, it will be very busy, so plan early, pack sensibly, but also look at the online map which is live at the moment, which the department for culture, media and sport has put up, which will indicate where the end of the queue is. you want to go to that end and not get off in the middle of london and headed towards, for example, charing cross, because you won't be able to join. you may well have brought us the phrase of the day — fair queueing. hashtag fair queueing, i can see that. before we talk to our next guest. if you're thinking you want to do what these people are doing, paying their respects through

westminster hall, there is a useful article on the bbc web—site. it has article on the bbc web—site. it has a useful map. it is hard to keep the street names in your head and you may well not know london and it is hard to get your head around. the article is called queen's lying—in—state, what you need to know before you queue. there is a lot of information about what you can and can't do and places that might be open where you can get a coffee. that is very useful. also the dcms points out, it is updating it is twitter feed to explain exactly that, the queue is currently, approximately 2.9 miles long! but it is going to keep updating that over the course of the four days. that is what they're

telling us. that is useful as well. just to explain, particularly if you don't know the capital, to explain where to go, where the end of the queueis where to go, where the end of the queue is at the time of writing. that is a useful twitter feed to keep hold of as well. so that is all there, useful information if you're hoping to head down there and pay your respects. lying—in—state. the queen's lying—in—state and the queue is running 2a hours a day. you might find yourselves queueing overnight and advice about please take warm clothing. there is a lot of information and it is being updated all the time. we will stay with the images from inside westminster hall and talk to lieutenant james vassell of the royal british legion. thank

you forjoining us today. in your role, i think you have met, you met the queen a number of times, so of course i do want to ask you first of all for your personal remembrances, what your thoughts have been over the last few days? i what your thoughts have been over the last few days?— the last few days? i think, like most people. _ the last few days? i think, like most people. i— the last few days? i think, like most people, i have _ the last few days? i think, like most people, i have been - the last few days? i think, like i most people, i have been hugely saddened when i first heard the news and reflective on all the queen has been to all of us throughout our lives. but also grateful for particularly her support and her work for the royal british legion and it was my huge privilege as the president to be able to host her on several occasions when she came to visit veterans and particularly came to the royal albert hall for the festival of remembrance and at various important remembrance occasions and she has been and was the most wonderful and kind—hearted and supportive patron that we were fortunate to have for 70 years. i

assume given her knowledge of the armed forces that she was huge hi knowledgeable as well? i armed forces that she was huge hi knowledgeable as well?— knowledgeable as well? i think, eve one knowledgeable as well? i think, everyone would _ knowledgeable as well? i think, everyone would recognise - knowledgeable as well? i think, everyone would recognise howi everyone would recognise how knowledgeable she was. she knew and understood the military, she knew our ranks, she would correct people, certainly prince philip did on dress. he had a good eye for detail. and was always very well briefed. and was always very well briefed. and had a great affinity for veterans across the generations. i have been struck today the number of members of forces who have been involved in this beautifully carried out procession that we saw at 2 o'clock this afternoon, and we have heard from a number of people involved in that and the preparations of various age and they were some genuinely moved and said, she was our boss! and that, they

took that very seriously it seemed took that very seriously it seemed to me in the way the queen took that seriously? i to me in the way the queen took that seriousl ? .. to me in the way the queen took that seriousl ? ~ ., seriously? i think we all did when we serve. — seriously? i think we all did when we serve. we _ seriously? i think we all did when we serve, we recognise _ seriously? i think we all did when we serve, we recognise that - seriously? i think we all did when we serve, we recognise that the l we serve, we recognise that the queen is the... the figure that we take our allegiance to and her role has been so important to the military over so long. i think generation after generation inherit the traditions and customs and the pageantry for the foot bards and the guards division who have done so wonderfully today. and those that leave, and there are of course many more veterans that there are those who are serving, remember their times in the armed forces and their links with our royal family and have always got huge respect and always very grateful for their interest and their support, very grateful for their interest and theirsupport, even very grateful for their interest and their support, even when they have left and are veterans. 50.

their support, even when they have left and are veterans.— left and are veterans. so, sadly, ou as a left and are veterans. so, sadly, you as a charity. _ left and are veterans. so, sadly, you as a charity, you _ left and are veterans. so, sadly, you as a charity, you have - left and are veterans. so, sadly, you as a charity, you have lost i left and are veterans. so, sadly, i you as a charity, you have lost your patron, but... presumably in no doubt that you will always have the support and the love of members of the royal family and do you know what happens now? terms of the patronage of your charity? fif what happens now? terms of the patronage of your charity? of course we ho -e patronage of your charity? of course we hope all — patronage of your charity? of course we hope all that _ patronage of your charity? of course we hope all that you've _ patronage of your charity? of course we hope all that you've said - patronage of your charity? of course we hope all that you've said will - we hope all that you've said will continue to apply. we will now wait news from the king to understand whether he will take on the patronage from his mother. we hope he does, of course. but we will do nothing until we hearformally from his office and from the palace. thank you very much for your time. the national president of royal british legion, the queen was patron of the royal british legion. let's

return to the heart of central london to westminster hall, as members of the public continue to file past the queen's coffin to pay their last respects. the doors opened to the public at 5 o'clock. so these are some of the very first people to be able to come through. the predictions is that many hundreds of thousands of people will want to pay their respects and certainly the queen is lying in state for four days and that queue will operate around—the—clock. it is a huge logistical operation of course as well as being something thatis course as well as being something that is important and moving to witness, but lodgistics are an important part of making this work. one of many challenges of the coming daysis one of many challenges of the coming days is policing. forces up and down the country and particularly in the capital will have had to prepare in

advance, they're having to coordinate to make sure all the major events take place safely. four days of lying in state and the build up days of lying in state and the build up to the funeral on month. we have —— on monday. we have seen the arrest of anti—monarchy protesters. there have been campaigners and politicians criticising what they see as a crackdown on free speech. let's talk about all the many challenges of the days ahead as so many people flood into london for these unparalleled event. i'm joined by a guest. you are i believe, i hope i have got this right a former metropolitan police commander? yes. you have worked _ metropolitan police commander? iezs you have worked on metropolitan police commander? is; you have worked on a metropolitan police commander? i2; you have worked on a lot metropolitan police commander? 1213 you have worked on a lot of large scale public events like the london

2012 olympics, an enormous logistical challenge. i'm interested as we look at these pictures from westminster hall, what are your thoughts about the challenge facing the met and presumably forces beyond today and in the coming days? weill. today and in the coming days? well, undoubtedly — today and in the coming days? well, undoubtedly this _ today and in the coming days? well, undoubtedly this will _ today and in the coming days? well, undoubtedly this will be _ today and in the coming days? 2ii undoubtedly this will be the largest security operation this country has ever seen. security operation this country has everseen. it's security operation this country has ever seen. it's a funeral, we must never lose sight of that, there is a grieving family and a grieving country. it is also a ceremony. and a security operation and ceremony and security are not happy bed fellows. we understand 10,000 officers, roughly the same as the olympics. the challenges will be terrorism, you must always look at that. i'm not talking of state sponsored, but potentially lone individuals. that needs to be factored out. you will have almost all of the world's leaders or

representatives, they are all entitled to close firearms protection. the police have to manage that and keep those people safe. you have the potentialfor public order, protests, protests will be allow and they have been allowed. there have been some arrests, but we can't comment on individual arrests. arrests, but we can't comment on individualarrests. but arrests, but we can't comment on individual arrests. but you have to allow protest. but within reason. we have to think about other people there. . . . have to think about other people there. . , . . ., there. that is a 'udgment call in itself there. that is a 'udgment call in resentm— there. that is a 'udgment call in itself isn't it, _ there. that is a judgment call in itself isn't it, the _ there. that is a judgment call in | itself isn't it, the circumstances, itself isn't it, the circumstances, it is difficult managing that? when people watch the images from this afternoon and the ceremony, the formal procession, from the king, all the senior members of royal family, it is extraordinary and presumably a credit to the security forces so far that we can have the king and the heir to the throne and other members of royal family

walking through the streets of london, behind, we see the picture of it now, a a0 minute walk through the streets of london. that is extraordinary perhaps to some people watching that that can even be done? i don't think there is another country in the world that would allow that to happen. it is testimony to the agencies and to the british public, there is a contract here between the police and the public, the public are policing themselves.— public, the public are policing themselves. and that, what we witness here, _ themselves. and that, what we witness here, that _ themselves. and that, what we witness here, that is _ themselves. and that, what we witness here, that is about - witness here, that is about intelligence? it witness here, that is about intelligence?— intelligence? it is about intelligence, _ intelligence? it is about intelligence, that - intelligence? it is aboutj intelligence, that drives intelligence? it is about. intelligence, that drives all intelligence? it is about - intelligence, that drives all these operation and they will be driving where the police officers are and what they're doing. but this is community policing on a large scale. what you're seeing on police officers owning a small part of crowd, getting to talk to the crowd and buying into that contract. ianthem and buying into that contract. when ou talk of and buying into that contract. when you talk of public _ and buying into that contract. when you talk of public order, _ and buying into that contract. when you talk of public order, our - and buying into that contract. when you talk of public order, our focus will, is on the queen's 's

lying—in—state. the queue is snaking through the capital, may well get longer bgs you have people standing there, nice weather at the moment, might be bad weather over the next four days, you're managing a lot of different things there, people's own disquiet and the risk, god forbid of something, someone malicious with malicious intent.— something, someone malicious with malicious intent._ it - malicious intent. absolutely. it blows my mind, _ malicious intent. absolutely. it blows my mind, i'm _ malicious intent. absolutely. it blows my mind, i'm putting - malicious intent. absolutely. it blows my mind, i'm putting nitj blows my mind, i'm putting nit layman's language, i suppose the met has been preparing for is in? but the met has been preparing for is in? iei,ii the met does think all the time and they're the best in the world at this. there will be a plan, there will be a commander and a strategy and this what is i want to happen. the key are the sergeants and the six constables on the ground knowing what they have to do. it is

six constables on the ground knowing what they have to do.— what they have to do. it is about communication. _ what they have to do. it is about communication. it _ what they have to do. it is about communication. it is _ what they have to do. it is about communication. it is talking - what they have to do. it is about communication. it is talking to i what they have to do. it is about i communication. it is talking to the ublic. communication. it is talking to the public- and _ communication. it is talking to the public. and maintaining _ communication. it is talking to the public. and maintaining good - public. and maintaining good relations- — public. and maintaining good relations. there _ public. and maintaining good relations. there is _ public. and maintaining good relations. there is no - public. and maintaining good relations. there is no reason| public. and maintaining good - relations. there is no reason there shouldn't be good relations. but it is about a relationship? it is shouldn't be good relations. but it is about a relationship?— is about a relationship? it is about workin: is about a relationship? it is about working together. _ is about a relationship? it is about working together. the _ is about a relationship? it is about working together. the police - is about a relationship? it is about working together. the police are i working together. the police are there, with eye and ears, to look for things that shouldn't happen and the public will buy into that and help them. i the public will buy into that and help them-— the public will buy into that and hel them. , ., , ., help them. i will pause to explain the, what help them. i will pause to explain the. what we _ help them. i will pause to explain the, what we are _ help them. i will pause to explain the, what we are seeing - help them. i will pause to explain the, what we are seeing here, . help them. i will pause to explain| the, what we are seeing here, the changing of the guard around the coffin, around the catafalque. this i'm told is in fact going to happen every 20 minutes, which is a remarkable logistical operation in itself, given what we are looking at is just the beginning, itself, given what we are looking at isjust the beginning, the doors have been open to the public for barely three quarters of an hour and the lying—in—state continues until 6.30 on monday morning. on the morning of the queen's funeral, the

state funeral. you can see the members of the public you have been queueing, held while that brief ceremony, if we call it that, forgive me if it is the incorrect terminology, while the changeover takes place. again, people paying their respects. a slight pause is what a lot of people are choosing to do. bowing the head. and just the stillness and quiet in westminster hall, despite the numbers of people who are coming through. and this is a scene that we will continue to watch now for four days. a lady blows a kiss, as she moves away. let's look at some of

our cameras outside. various vantage points. we have cameras along there. you can see lambeth bridge, various points. as we say, the queue is currently at a roundabout three miles long. the maximum, we are told, that the queue is going to be allowed to reach is ten miles. a staggering thought when you think about it. about three miles at the moment apparently. the absolute maximum is ten miles, which would take the queue back sort of towards bermondsey tube station, if you know london. snaking all the way along the south bank. a former metropolitan police commander, somebody with huge experience of policing huge events, you are saying this is the biggest event in our

lifetime. the notion of trying to keep everyone safe and happy over ten miles. i mean, that is an eye watering prospect.— ten miles. i mean, that is an eye watering prospect. absolutely, this will be the biggest _ watering prospect. absolutely, this will be the biggest outpouring - watering prospect. absolutely, this will be the biggest outpouring of i will be the biggest outpouring of people onto the streets of london we have ever seen. of course, people bring crime. there will be criminals out there. they have to be managed. life goes on as well, so police have a huge operation on their hands. i have heard the authorities say they are concerned or aware that london will be full. that, as a statement, is so striking. it was very busy during the london 2012 olympics, a fantastic time, but we know that, bluntly, a lot of londoners left during that period because they thought it would be a bit overcrowded, that the tubes will not be able to cope. in the end, it was terrific, but there was a slight anxiety. i suppose london transport police are involved as well because these people are getting on tubes,

buses, trains. it's going to be packed, it's going to be cosy underground. it packed, it's going to be cosy underground.— packed, it's going to be cosy underground. packed, it's going to be cosy underuround. , ., ., underground. it will be more than cos .the underground. it will be more than cosy. the transport _ underground. it will be more than cosy. the transport police - underground. it will be more than cosy. the transport police and - underground. it will be more than i cosy. the transport police and other agencies have a huge role to play. when they say london is full, they don't mean every metre is taken up. they mean keep out of london unless you have to come, please stay away or go further away and come from the outside. don't pop up at westminster. it willjust be crowded. that is adding to the problems. crowded. that is adding to the problems-— crowded. that is adding to the roblems. ., , ., problems. you spoke about the importance _ problems. you spoke about the importance of— problems. you spoke about the importance of communication, | problems. you spoke about the - importance of communication, there are plans for holding people back of someone gets too busy. i was in green park yesterday, close to buckingham palace. at points, you could see... i would not have described green park as particularly full at that point. it was busy, but not rammed. you could see where the stewards were asking people to pause from time to time. i suppose that is about managing crowds. you want people to be well, you don't want people to be well, you don't want

people to be crushed? absolutely, crowds and — people to be crushed? absolutely, crowds and themselves _ people to be crushed? absolutely, crowds and themselves are - people to be crushed? absolutely, - crowds and themselves are dangerous. you mentioned the weather. if we have a thunderstorm and everybody bolts for the same exit, that is potentially dangerous. there will be a plan to manage the crowds and they will use the parks as overflows. hyde park, once green park and st james' are full, they will move people to hyde park and put up big screens. there are tried and tested ways of managing this that you will see swinging into action. yen; see swinging into action. very interesting — see swinging into action. very interesting to _ see swinging into action. very interesting to talk _ see swinging into action. very interesting to talk to - see swinging into action. very interesting to talk to you. - see swinging into action. very interesting to talk to you. thank you so much. broadhurst, good to give your time. thank you very much indeed. former metropolitan police commander. we may be talking again in the coming days, because there are four days ahead. people continue to file through at westminster hall. this is what we are going to be watching now, for four days. people of all ages,

paying their respects. people of different ages, and we know that people have come from far and wide for this moment. to pay their respects, perhaps to say thank you. just to stand at the queen's coffin, with their own thoughts. we will stay with these images. there are something still very touching and moving. every person there will have their own reason for wanting to be there. how many people are thinking about their own loved ones? remembering loved ones, perhaps thinking of people they have lost, in particular during the pandemic. such a difficult couple of

years that the country has come through. and now a country with a king for the first time in 70 years. our diplomatic correspondentjames our diplomatic correspondent james landale is our diplomatic correspondentjames landale is watching these images with me. it's incredibly moving, just watching this. whatever the reasons people might have had for queueing for hours, then pausing, nodding, some mouthing thank you. the sign of the cross. some people in tears. very moving to think about why people have chosen to come to the capital to pay their respects, james? . . the capital to pay their respects, james? , . . james? there is a technical term in the planning _ james? there is a technical term in the planning for— james? there is a technical term in the planning for this, _ james? there is a technical term in the planning for this, which - james? there is a technical term in the planning for this, which is - the planning for this, which is called dwell time. it refers to the period of time that members of the public will take, just to pause and pay their respects, do what they have just been doing. it is going to be interesting to see how that is

managed. because some people will want to take a little longer than others, and the queue will build up. i think we are going to see a real tension at times between the logistics of this exercise, which are enormous, but also the actual significance for each individual about why they are there and what they are doing it for. i think managing that will be quite a challenge for the authorities. yes. challenge for the authorities. yes, it uts us challenge for the authorities. yes, it puts us in _ challenge for the authorities. yes, it puts us in mind _ challenge for the authorities. yes, it puts us in mind of— challenge for the authorities. yes, it puts us in mind of the _ challenge for the authorities. yes, it puts us in mind of the lying in state in edinburgh, at a st giles' cathedral. equally moving to watch. we know around about 26,000 people passed through st giles' is. but i was struck, watching those images from edinburgh, about how much more sparse the crowd looked, by definition. but therefore, how long some people were able to stand and

just silently stand and reflect, and pay their respects. and they had the chance and the ability to do that, because there wasn't the pressure of numbers we are inevitably going to see here in the capital. quite a different sense.— see here in the capital. quite a different sense. there will be more eo - le different sense. there will be more people who — different sense. there will be more people who want — different sense. there will be more people who want to _ different sense. there will be more people who want to go _ different sense. there will be more people who want to go past - different sense. there will be more people who want to go past that i different sense. there will be more | people who want to go past that are able to go past before the funeral. that is inevitable. that is the truth of that. there are only so many people who can get past in a certain period of time. so some people will come and be disappointed. but i think that is inevitable. it willjust have to be managed as best it can. the rest of us will just managed as best it can. the rest of us willjust have to watch these extraordinary pictures, in this extraordinary pictures, in this extraordinary building. my favourite building in the whole of the palace of westminster. i spent much of my career working there. {lii of westminster. i spent much of my career working there.— career working there. of course, is a olitical career working there. of course, is a political correspondent, - career working there. of course, is a political correspondent, you - career working there. of course, is a political correspondent, you are. a political correspondent, you are well used to it.— well used to it. every day as i walked through, _ well used to it. every day as i walked through, it _ well used to it. every day as i walked through, it lifts - well used to it. every day as i walked through, it lifts the i well used to it. every day as i - walked through, it lifts the heart, it lifts the spirit, it's the most

extraordinary space. notjust it lifts the spirit, it's the most extraordinary space. not just for its history. you can almost touch the history. this was a place where... it is a royal palace, where royal parties used to take place. this is where coronation banquets would happen. this is where anne boleyn threw parties. at the same time, this is where also a monarch was tried and found guilty of tyranny, and condemned to death. this is where charles the first was tried. for many years, these were the law courts. and so, the extraordinary history that drips off the walls has been added to today, by what is, in historical terms, a relatively modern phenomenon. this idea of passing the monarchy, it only dates back to 1910. in historical terms, only dates back to 1910. in historicalterms, it only dates back to 1910. in historical terms, it is the blink of an eye. but as ever, what we are seeing this week is what we have constantly seen for many years. the ability of royalty, of the british

state, to adapt and reform, and reinvent tradition. we are seeing that happening this week. the televising of previously private events. the opening up of a small window onto things that previously we would not have seen. it is all part of the process of recreating tradition in a modern way, so that it responds to contemporary needs. james, thank you for now, james landale. let's return to the queue outside westminster hall, some distance away. let's go to our correspondent zoe conway. i think you are at albert embankment. explain what you are seeing, what people are saying to you as they pass?— to you as they pass? well, this tueue to you as they pass? well, this aueue is to you as they pass? well, this queue is now — to you as they pass? well, this queue is now moving _ to you as they pass? well, this queue is now moving at - to you as they pass? well, this queue is now moving at some i to you as they pass? well, this - queue is now moving at some pace. in fact, you might well see behind me there are some quite big gaps opening up as people are struggling to kind of keep up with the pace of

this queue. that's not to say that this queue. that's not to say that this queue. that's not to say that this queue isn't long. at the moment, it's measuring about 2.6 miles long and it stretches all the way back several bridges east of here, to london bridge. they are all wearing wrist bands, there is lots of security around here. they are going to be crossing lambeth bridge. once they get to the other side of the river, there is going to be airport style security. there is a lot of security around here. not long ago, i saw armed police in a boat, keeping an eye on everything. the army is on the streets. as well as the police. everybody is here for their own personal reasons. i was speaking to a man, he was in civilian clothes, but in fact he had been a soldier, he had served in afghanistan and he was wearing his medals. he said he wanted to pay his

respects to the queen, who he had served as a soldier. what is also notable is when you talk to people about the mood in the queue, it's been incredibly good—natured, a lot of camaraderie, most of the people around me would havejoined of camaraderie, most of the people around me would have joined the queue at about 1pm this afternoon. but when you ask people to think about what it is going to be like to step into westminster hall, that is when people start to get quite emotional. when they start imagining what that moment is going to be like for them. what that moment is going to be like forthem. i what that moment is going to be like for them. i was speaking to an 85—year—old man who was at the coronation 70 years ago, as a 16—year—old. he started welling up when he imagined what it was going to be like to be in that extraordinary place. to be like to be in that extraordina lace. , ., , extraordinary place. yes, that is very striking- — extraordinary place. yes, that is very striking. and _ extraordinary place. yes, that is very striking. and we _ extraordinary place. yes, that is very striking. and we can - extraordinary place. yes, that is very striking. and we can see i extraordinary place. yes, that is i very striking. and we can see from our pictures inside that it is

indeed proving a very moving experience for an awful lot of people coming through. thank you, zoe. i know you will be there to talk to others as they continue to queue. we've already heard of people making friends in the queue, you are standing next to people you don't know for a very long time. there will be friendships struck. let's stay, for our last few moments, with the pictures from inside westminster hall, as we watch people of all ages, all generations, from all over the country, probably fair to guess from all over the world, starting to make their way and paying their final respects to her majesty queen elizabeth ii. this is something we will return to over the coming days. people who first came through those doors at five o'clock started queueing at

about 8am this morning. and we will stay with these images here from inside westminster hall at the lying inside westminster hall at the lying in state of her majesty the queen.

sky. today at six. the queen's coffin is now lying in state in the palace of westminster for the public to pay their final respects. it follows a solemn procession from buckingham palace with a horse—drawn gun carriage bearing her majesty. walking behind, her children and grandchildren, as well as other members of the royal family led by king charles. thousands of people witnessed the procession, some overcome by the emotion of the moment.