Topline
David Beckham joined the throngs of mourners, some famous, who came out to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II and to view the monarch as she lies in state at Westminster Hall.
Former English football player David Beckham visits Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin at Westminster Hall … [+] in London on September 16, 2022.
Key Facts
Beckham waited 12 hours to pay his respects, telling the BBC the communal experience “where we celebrate the amazing life of our queen” is “meant to be shared together.”
Former Prime Minister Theresa May was spotted curtseying to the queen’s coffin on Thursday.
ITV presenter Susanna Reid said she queued for over seven hours on Thursday before entering Westminster Hall.
Reality TV star Sharon Osbourne said she came out to see the procession of the queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday because “I love the queen . . . and I love the royal family.”
Key Background
Queen Elizabeth will lie in state at Westminster Hall until her funeral on Monday. The queue to visit her is more than five miles and 14 hours long. It’s expected that 75,000 people will come to pay their respects to her. King Charles III will lead a vigil over his mother’s coffin on Friday. The BBC is airing a live stream of the queen’s lying in state.
What To Watch For
On Monday, the queen’s coffin will be taken from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey on a state gun carriage for the funeral service. Roughly 2,000 people are expected to attend, including President Joe Biden. Following the service, a national moment of silence will be held at 11 a.m. The queen’s coffin will then travel to Windsor Castle, where she will be buried next to her parents and late husband, Prince Philip.
Further Reading
14 Hours, 5 Miles: Queue To See Queen Elizabeth II Closes Temporarily After Hitting Capacity (Forbes)
In Photos: Thousands Line Up To View Queen’s Coffin In London (Forbes)
New Details Released On Queen’s Funeral–Here’s What To Know (Forbes)
