The miles-long line of mourning visitors waiting to see the queen elizabeth II in London was temporarily closed on Friday after reaching maximum capacity, officials said.
Tens of thousands of people of all ages and all walks of life came to pay their respects to the late monarch, joining a neat line along the south bank of the Thames and then across the river to Westminster Hall of Parliament.
But by mid-morning, the line was too long, a testament to the public’s respect and affection for the Queen, who died in Scotland on September 8, aged 96, after a 70-year reign.
“Entry will be interrupted for at least 6 hours,” the UK culture department said. “Please don’t try to get in line until it’s reopened.”
The department warned of wait times of up to 12 hours. A total of 750,000 people are expected to pass the queen’s coffin ahead of her state funeral on Monday.
The queen’s coffin is in Westminster Hall with soldiers and officers keeping vigil around it as people pass by to pay their respects after a long wait. Many wept, and many saluted or bowed their heads in reverence.
London’s police force said on Friday that the state funeral will be the biggest security operation ever carried out as prime ministers, presidents and royals gather to pay their respects.
(Additional reporting by Alistair Smout)
Source: CNN Brasil
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