Her Majesty The Queen’s lying in state at Westminster Hall

This event has already passed

The British public will get a chance to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II one final time when her body is returned to London from Balmoral.

13th September

The Queen's final flight down from Scotland is scheduled to arrive at RAF Northolt shortly before 6 PM on the 13th. The hearse will then travel down the A40 to London, passing along Eastbourne Terrace, Lancaster Gate, Bayswater Road, Marble Arch, Park Lane, Hyde Park Corner and Constitution Hill, before heading through the centre gate of Buckingham Palace at approx 7 PM, witnessed by King Charles III and the Queen Consort, Camilla.

This is not a formal procession, but thousands of people are expected to be lining the route to pay their respects.

The coffin will then be moved into the Palace's Bow Room, where members of the Royal Family will pay their respects privately.

Ceremonial procession on 14th September

At 2.20 PM on the 14th Big Ben will toll and a gun carriage bearing the Queen's coffin will depart from Buckingham Palace in a ceremonial procession. Members of the Royal Family are expected to be walking behind, accompanied by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

The procession will head down The Mall, turning right before it gets to Admiralty Arch, then head across Horse Guards Parade ground and through the central arch, before moving down Whitehall to Parliament. The entire procession is expected to take 40 minutes, and the coffin will arrive at Westminster Hall before 3 PM.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to be lining the route, and a large screen will be set up in Hyde Park from 11 AM so people who can't get close will still be able to watch the procession.

Lying in State from 14th to 19th September

Her Majesty's coffin will be placed inside Westminster Hall on a raised platform (known as a catafalque), draped in the Royal Standard. The Imperial State Crown, orb and sceptre will then be placed on top, and each corner of the coffin will be guarded 24-hours a day by soldiers from the Sovereign's Bodyguard, the Household Division and Yeoman Warders from the Tower of London.

Once the coffin has been placed in position a short service will be held by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

At 5 PM members of the public will be let inside to pay their respects. This will continue for 24 hours a day until 6.30 AM on the 19th.

On Friday 16th, between 7.30 PM and 7.45 PM, King Charles III, the Princess Royal, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward will stand guard around the coffin in an ancient tradition known as the Vigil of the Princes.

Queuing for the Lying in State

If you're planning to visit then bear in mind that the queue size will be absolutely incredible. After coming out of Parliament it will head towards Lambeth Bridge, then cross over the river and go back up past Westminster Bridge and along the Southbank, passing the London Eye, Royal Festival Hall, Tate Modern, Globe Theatre and Tower Bridge. This will be a distance of three miles. How far it will continue on from there will depend on the numbers, but the expectation is that it will reach all the way to Southwark Park -- a distance of just over four miles.

The waiting time is expected to approach 20 hours, which means you will have to go an entire day without sleep. You will also have very little opportunity to sit down and rest because the queue will be constantly moving. Portable toilets, water stations, food stalls and first aid tables will be placed at intervals along the way to help keep you going, but all of the food and drink must be consumed and disposed of before you enter Westminster Hall.

You should not bring any floral tributes, flags or banners. Nor any hampers, sleeping bags, blankets, folding chairs or camping equipment. There will no nowhere to leave these items once you reach Westminster Hall, and if you still want to go inside then they will be confiscated and not returned.

Given the extreme waiting time, you might want to leave your children at home as well.

It will not be possible to jump the queue, or have someone hold a place for you, as everyone will be issued with a numbered and coloured wristband when they join the end. These wristbands will be specific to the person who joined, and cannot be transferred to someone else. Neither will it be possible to take an extra wristband for someone who isn't with you. These wristbands will be checked at intervals along the queue, and if you don't have one then you will be asked to leave. The wristbands will also allow you to leave the queue for short periods and then return to your place (ie. to use the toilet).

You can check where the end of the queue is on their Twitter feed, Facebook page and YouTube channel.

And bear in mind that whilst Westminster Hall will remain open until 6.30 AM on the 19th, the queue will probably be closed sometime on the 18th, or early on the 19th, so people at the end have time to reach Westminster Hall before it closes.

Bags, photography and dress code for the Lying in State

When you reach Westminster Hall you will have to go through an airport-style security screening. Each person will only be able to carry one small bag inside (no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm), with a simple opening or zip. Anything larger than that will have to be left at the bag drop facility which will be located near St. Thomas's Hospital. Bear in mind that facilities are limited and there's no guarantee that a storage space will be available. Waiting for storage space to become available will increase your queuing time.

Filming and photography inside Westminster Hall will be strictly prohibited. Mobile phones and other handheld devices should remain switched off in your pocket or bag.

You will also be required to remain silent inside and dress 'appropriately' for the occasion. Clothes with political or offensive slogans should not be worn.

19th September

At 6.30 AM on the 19th September Westminster Hall will be closed to the public so preparations can be made to carry the Queen to Westminster Abbey for the State funeral.

The full programme of events is as follows:

9th Sept: Gun salute at Hyde Park, Gun salute at the Tower of London; 10th Sept: Proclamation of King Charles III, Gun salute at Hyde Park, Gun salute at the Tower of London; 14th to 19th Sept: Lying in state at Westminster Hall; 19th Sept: State funeral at Westminster Abbey