Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State at the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament)
During the Lying-in-State period, Her Majesty The Queen’s closed coffin rests on a raised platform, which is called a catafalque, inside Westminster Hall in the Palace of Westminster (also known as the Houses of Parliament). Members of the public attending will file past the catafalque to pay their respects.
Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State at the Palace of Westminster opens to the public at 5pm on Wednesday 14 September. It will be open 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on Monday 19 September.
The BBC’s red button service will provide a live feed from Westminster Hall and ITV and Sky will be running extensive coverage. An online book of condolence is also available for people to add personal messages.
If you wish to attend the Lying-in-State, please note that there will be a queue, which is expected to be very long. You will need to stand for many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down as the queue will be continuously moving.
Large crowds are expected, and there are likely to be delays on public transport and road closures around the area. You should check ahead, plan accordingly and be prepared for long queues.
Visitors will go through airport-style security and there are tight restrictions on what you can take in. Only small bags are permitted. There is more information in the section below on what you should and should not bring.
The queue route
Queueing time
Please note that the queue is expected to be very long. You will need to stand for many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down, as the queue will keep moving.
Please consider this before you decide to attend or bring children with you.
The queue may close early to ensure as many visitors as possible can enter the Palace before the Lying-in-State period comes to an end.
Step-free and accessible options will be available for those who need them. The section on accessibility below will provide more information.
The queue will start where Albert Embankment meets Lambeth Bridge in Central London, on the south side of the River Thames. From Albert Embankment, the queue will continue along the south bank of the Thames.
How to get to London
You can plan your journey using the Transport for London and National Rail Enquiries websites. You can find up-to-date travel information by following National Rail Enquiries on Twitter or downloading the TfL Go app.
For those travelling into London, the main National Rail stations are:
- Blackfriars
- Cannon Street
- Charing Cross
- Euston
- King’s Cross
- Liverpool Street
- London Bridge
- Marylebone
- Paddington
- London St Pancras
- Victoria
- Waterloo
- Waterloo East
How to get to the queue
To visit the Lying-in-State, you need to join the back of the queue. The location of the back of the queue will move depending on how many people are queuing.
Before you travel, check the current location of the back of the queue.
Check Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) social media channels for the latest updates on estimated queuing times and the location of the back of the queue:
Use this information to plan your travel to the back of the queue.
You can plan your journey using the Transport for London journey planner. You can also download the TfL Go app for up-to-date service information.
Public transport, walking or cycling are the best ways to get to the queue.
Public transport within London will be extremely busy during this period. If you can, you may wish to consider walking to join the queue. For those who cannot, please plan your onward journey carefully, allow more time than usual and check Transport for London’s latest travel information.
If you have difficulty finding the back of the queue, make your way to the published queue route. There will be stewards along the queue route. The stewards will tell you where the back of the queue is at that time, and the best way to join the queue.
If you need to use the accessible queueing scheme, plan your travel to the accessibility kiosk.
The accessibility kiosk should only be used by people who need to use the accessible queueing scheme. You do not need to visit the kiosk for a step-free route; there will be step-free access along the main queue route. Read the accessibility section for more information.
How to join the queue
When you reach the back of the queue, you will be given a coloured and numbered wristband. This is a record of when you joined the queue, however please note that having a wristband does not guarantee your entry to the Lying-in-State.
Wristbands are specific to each person joining the queue, and are strictly non-transferable. You must keep this wristband on at all times as it will be checked along the route.
Your wristband also allows you to leave the queue for a short period to use a toilet or get refreshments, then return to your place in the queue. Public toilets, drinking water and first aid stations are available at designated locations along the queue route.
Before entering the Palace of Westminster, everyone will be subject to an airport-style security search. There are restrictions on what you can take in and bag sizes.
If you have a large bag that you are not permitted to take into the Palace of Westminster, stewards will direct you to the bag drop facility before you enter the security search point. You will not lose your place in the queue, but it may increase your queuing time.
Step-free routes and an accessible queueing scheme are available for those who need them. Read the accessibility section for more information.
What you should and should not bring
There is a strict bag policy in operation. You are only permitted to bring one small bag per person into the Palace of Westminster. It must be smaller than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, with one simple opening or zip so you can move quickly through the security check.
If you have to bring a larger bag, you will need to leave it in the bag drop facility. Stewards will direct you to the bag drop facility before you enter the security search point. Items are left at your own risk.
Capacity at the bag drop facility is limited and there is no guarantee that there will be space at the facility. Waiting for bag storage space to become available will increase your queuing time.
Read the bag drop facility section for more information.
Remember to bring:
- Suitable clothing for the weather conditions. This might include warm, protective clothing or an umbrella in cold or wet weather, or sunscreen if you might need it.
- Food and drinks to consume in the queue. There are limited places to buy refreshments along the route. Any food items and liquids must be consumed or disposed of before you enter the security search point outside the Palace of Westminster. Clear water bottles are permitted, but must be emptied of their contents before you enter the security search point.
- Mobile phone charger. You are likely to be in the queue for a long time, so consider bringing a small portable power bank to use if you need to charge your phone.
- Essential medication or equipment that you need to keep with you. Please explain this to the security staff or police at the security search point so they can check the items.
Prohibited Items:
You must not bring any of the following items into the security search point or Palace of Westminster.
Prohibited items will be confiscated and will not be returned. Illegal items will be dealt with by the police.
- Bags larger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm in size, bags or rucksacks with expandable compartments, bags or rucksacks with multiple pockets or complex openings, solid-sided bags, or bags on wheels.
- Flasks or water bottles, except clear water bottles. Clear water bottles must be emptied of their contents before you enter the security search point at the Palace of Westminster.
- Food and liquid of any kind. Any food or liquids must be consumed in the queue or disposed of before you enter the security search point at the Palace of Westminster.
- Flowers or other tribute items (including candles, soft toys and photographs). These items cannot be taken into or left in the Palace of Westminster. Floral tributes only should be taken to the dedicated floral tribute area in Green Park.
- Sharp items, including knives, Swiss Army knives, scissors, cutlery and screwdrivers.
- Personal defence equipment or any object that could be used as a weapon and/or compromise public safety, including personal defence sprays.
- Paint sprays, padlocks, chains, climbing gear, and dangerous or hazardous items.
- Fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, whistles, laser devices, and other items that could be used to cause a disturbance or noise.
- Banners, placards, flags, advertising or marketing messages, and other similar items that could be used to cause a disturbance.
- Coolers, hampers, sleeping bags, blankets, folding chairs and camping equipment.
- Chairs, folding chairs and other seating equipment, including shooting sticks.
- Any other items as directed by security staff or police.
Please do not bring pets or other animals as you will not be allowed to enter with them. Animals are not permitted in the Palace of Westminster, except guide dogs, hearing dogs and other official assistance dogs.
Please see DCMS for latest updates to list.
Bag drop facility
If you have a large bag with you, stewards will direct you to the bag drop facility before you enter the security search point. You will not lose your place in the queue, but it may increase your queuing time.
Capacity is limited, and there is no guarantee that there will be space at the facility. Waiting for bag storage space to become available will increase your queuing time.
When you deposit an item, you will be given a bag drop wristband. A corresponding tag will be placed on your item so you can collect it after exiting the Palace of Westminster.
Items that you wish to deposit at the bag drop will be subject to an airport-style scan, and may be refused for safety, size or security reasons. It will be at the discretion of staff whether to accept your bags or other items. Illegal items will be dealt with by the police.
If you leave a bag in the bag drop you must collect it immediately after exiting the Lying-in-State. Remember to keep hold of your wristband, as you will need it to collect your item. Follow the exit signs to Westminster Bridge and then Archbishop’s Park.
All items are left at your own risk. Uncollected items may be disposed of.
Security and searches
To keep everyone safe, security measures are in place at the Lying-in-State. Please follow instructions given by the police and stewards.
The police may conduct security searches along parts of the queue.
Before entering the Palace of Westminster you will go through an airport-style security search point.
Restrictions on bags and other items will be strictly enforced. Prohibited items, including drinks and other liquids, will be confiscated at the search point and disposed of.
If there is a security incident or you spot a suspicious item, alert the stewards or the police and follow their instructions.
Accessibility
Accessibility information for the Palace of Westminster
The security search point and Palace of Westminster have step-free access.
Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other official assistance dogs are permitted within the Palace of Westminster. No other animals are permitted.
Accessibility information for the queue
There is step-free access along the queue route for those who need it. Once you have joined the back of the queue, signs along the route will show you when the queue is approaching steps. At these points, let a steward know you are unable to use the steps. The steward will escort you to a step-free route, and return you to your place in the main queue.
Please note that wheelchairs cannot be provided.
British Sign Language interpreters will be available to people joining the queue.
There is also an accessible queuing scheme available for those with a disability or long-term condition which means they are unable to queue for an extended period of time.
Please see DCMS for more information, including transport.
Conduct and behaviour
Please respect the dignity of this event and behave appropriately. You should remain silent while inside the Palace of Westminster.
Stewards and police officers will patrol the queue. Antisocial or inappropriate behaviour (including queue-jumping, excessive consumption of alcohol or drunken behaviour) will not be tolerated and you will be removed from the queue.
You can find more information on the Parliament website about what to expect at the Lying-in-State and what you need to do when you enter the Palace of Westminster to pay your respects.
You should:
- Dress appropriately for the occasion to pay your respects at the Lying-in-State. Do not wear clothes with political or offensive slogans.
- Turn your phone off (or to silent mode) before entering the security search area.
- Dispose of litter using the litter bins provided.
- Keep noise to a minimum, and respect people who live in residential areas near the queue.
- Follow the instructions of stewards, marshals and the police at all times.
You must not:
- Film, photograph, or use mobile phones or other handheld devices in the security search area and the Palace of Westminster.
- Bring or erect gazebos or tents.
- Bring pets or other animals. Animals are not permitted in the Palace of Westminster, except guide dogs, hearing dogs and other official assistance dogs.
- Light barbecues or fires.
- Attempt to queue on behalf of others or ask others to queue on your behalf. Only those given wristbands at the end of the queue will be able to stay in the queue.
- Leave personal items unattended in the queue. If you leave bags or other items unattended they will be removed and may be destroyed.
Exiting the Lying-in-State
When you leave the Palace of Westminster, you will exit onto Parliament Square. If you left a bag or other item at the bag drop facility, you must collect your item straight after your visit.
Follow the signs and directions given by stewards to return to the bag drop facility and collect your bag or item.
You will be asked to remove your wristband when you exit. If you are collecting items from the bag drop, keep your wristband with you as you will need it to collect your item.
You should move away from the exit straight away so that you do not prevent others from exiting. This will help everyone to keep the queue moving and mean as many people as possible are able to visit the Lying-in-State. Stewards can direct you to nearby public transport stations.
Further News Following the Passing of Her Majesty The Queen:
Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State
A Statement from The Princess Royal
The Queen’s Children Hold a Vigil in Edinburgh
Service of Thanksgiving for the life of The Queen
His Majesty The King’s Reply to Addresses of Condolence
Arrangements for the Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen
A Statement from The Prince of Wales
Accession Council and Principal Proclamation
The King’s Address to the Nation and the Commonwealth
A Statement from His Majesty The King
The Queen Died Peacefully at Balmoral
