Queuing plans for lying in state revealed; Mourners line up 10 miles to see Queen’s coffin but thousands miss out

Thousands of mourners face a grueling wait to see The Queen’s Coffin but now face the prospect of missing out on paying their respects.

Transport for London Commissioner Andy Byford said more than 300,000 people will miss out on visiting The Queen’s coffin lying in state in Westminster Hall, UK Telegraph reports.

“The latest approximation or estimate is that there will be about potentially up to 750,000 people in line to lie in the state,” Byford said.

The British government had previously announced that 400,000 members of the public would be able to visit the casket in Westminster, meaning up to 350,000 could be disappointed after queuing for hours to be admitted.

British media reports that there is a 10-mile queue and a 30-hour wait to see the casket procession before people head to Westminster to see the Queen lie in state.

What will the lying-in state look like?

Queen Elizabeth II’s lying-in-state starts at 5pm Wednesday (2am Thursday AEST) and open 24 hours a day until 6.30 on the day of the monarch’s funeral, September 19.

The queue started at London’s Albert Embankment, across the River Thames from where the Queen’s coffin will be in Westminster Hall, Britain’s Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport said on Tuesday.

Toilets have been set up along the route, a big screen will play archive footage of the Queen at BFI Southbank and businesses are expected to stay open beyond normal opening hours to cater for people queuing.

Although mourners are queuing at the Albert Dam today, there is a long wait ahead.

People will have to pass through the embankment, over Lambeth Bridge, into Victoria Tower Gardens and then through “airport-style security” before entering the Palace of Westminster.

It is a huge task that requires 1000 volunteers, stewards and police officers to supervise.

“Once inside the Palace of Westminster, people will be able to walk past the coffin, which will be raised on a catafalque and draped in the Royal Standard, with the orb and scepter placed on top,” the department said in a statement.

“It will be guarded around the clock by a guard of units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, Household Division and Yeoman Warders from the Tower of London.”

Scouts, Samaritans, the British Red Cross, First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, the Salvation Army and “representatives of faith” will be stationed along the queue to help.

“We have 120 young Scouts from across the UK stepping up to support everyone who will be paying their respects to Her Majesty The Queen in London this week,” said Scouts chief executive Matt Hyde.

“The Scouts have a long history of supporting the nation and serving our communities. We are honored to play our part.”

The government said the queue would have step-free access and there would be a separate accessible route starting at Tate Britain.

St John Ambulance will run eight first aid stations along the route.

The Samaritans will have “listening volunteers” on hand in queues and other places of public mourning to help people process their feelings.

“We know that this news will affect people in different ways, it may be that they are reminded of their own experience of loss or the news has triggered other emotions that people want to talk about,” Samaritans chairman Keith Leslie said and noticed. The king is patron of the organization.

“We know the value of listening and the power of human connection, especially at times like these, so we encourage anyone struggling with the news to open up – whether it’s with the Samaritans, a friend or a family member .

“It can help work through what you’re facing and put things into perspective.”