The Queen's Queue

[reecie]

Possibly a thing made for British people but I did it today with my wife. Joined 06:30 this morning and viewed the casket exactly 12 hours later. Quite a moving and powerful experience in Westminster Hall. Missed the children standing guard by 30 mins but did get to see a guard change happen as we entered. The queue itself was a big part of the experience and overall time went faster than you expected. Some bits dragged at the time and it was pretty chilly with the wind and in the shade for a lot of the time. Not sure I'd want to overnight it. Plenty of loos and drink/food places along the way. The route is anyway one of our favourite walks in London. Made some new besties and everyone was in good spirits including police from all over England and Wales. Legs and back ached a bit by the end but we were both glad we made the effort. I would say it is a very white queue which I found a bit surprising.

[oldoakknives]

Respect to you for doing it. I wish I was able to.

[noTAGlove]

Respect to you for doing it. I wish I was able to.

What is stopping you? If the queen served you for 70 years, the least you can do is put yourself out for one or two days and honour her.

[Ruggertech]

What is stopping you?

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That may be Ian's personal business and not something he's happy to share.

[noTAGlove]

That may be Ian's personal business and not something he's happy to share.

I am sure he is grown up enough to speak for himself and say he is not happy to share.

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[Ruggertech]

I am sure he is grown up enough to speak for himself and say he is not happy to share.

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I'm sure he is.

[oldoakknives]

What is stopping you? If the queen served you for 70 years, the least you can do is put yourself out for one or two days and honour her.

My missus had a knee replacement last week, and needs me here to look after her.

[noTAGlove]

My missus had a knee replacement last week, and needs me here to look after her.

Sending my regards to your wife. I really hope she gets better soon. I mean that.

But, get on that train to London if you can. I am no fan of the monarchy, but you clearly are, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to pay your respects, and be part of history.

[Hood]

My missus had a knee replacement last week, and needs me here to look after her.

Cmon man get down there.

[CardShark]

I walked along side the queue from Tower Bridge up to Westminster, then crossed the bridge to Parliament Square and then on to St. James' Park, past Buckingham Palace and then to Green Park. It was a touch chilly out of the sun and in the breeze however it didn't matter. IEveryone, young and old, appeared to be in good spirits along the line and, as has been said, the support was superb.

I don't/didn't have the time to join the line proper, it was still an experience not to be forgotten.

[oldoakknives]

Cmon man get down there.

Unfortunately as flesh wounds go it’s a very painful one and her mobility is limited for a while. So while I can get out for a couple of hours I don’t think all day would be a good idea.

[jukeboxs]

I've been playing the live stream on the spare monitor as I work, quite therapeutic. I would have joined had I been closer (sadly I wasn't here for the Edinburgh one). By all accounts it is quite the experience. Treat yourself to a hot toddy before bed!

P.S. I've become a tad irked by 2 changes in recent days - splitting each line into two on each side within the Hall (not so good for those at the back), and the ushers encouraging folk along all too quickly (FFS, if you've just stood in line for 9 hours, they could at least give you 5 seconds to stop and pay your respects!).

[ralphy]

Three ladies from our village went up to London yesterday evening, stayed overnight and joined the queue early morning. Then they laid some flowers they'd collected from their gardens and got back home tea-time today. Told SWMBO it was such a moving experience, from talking to complete strangers in the queue, being looked after by several ex-military chaps, the silence in the hall and the stewardess on the return train providing them with coffees and biscuits with no charge. They were very glad that they'd made the effort to go and were grateful that they'd got the opportunity to pay their respects to their Queen.

R

[stoneyloon]

I just can't get my head round this.

There's no way I'd queue up for hours to walk past the coffin of someone I had no direct connection to.

I really think we've lost the plot and I have nothing against the royal family.

Cheers,

Adam.

[Shoughie0]

I would say it is a very white queue which I found a bit surprising.

My experience of watching the livestream on several occasions at various times of the day and night is that the queue is quite diverse.

[Chinese_Alan]

Bet there’s some right jeans and sheux action in that queue.

People queued to walk past a coffin being guarded by a sex offender. As a country we have gone beyond parody.

[Halitosis]

Bet there’s some right jeans and sheux action in that queue.

No idea what you mean by that?

Edit: just googled it. Never mind

[Franky Four Fingers]

Jesus, they've been planning the queue for 10 years….WOW
Knighthood for Prof Keith Still

[johny]

If the wee lassie's experience was ruined by what happened then it is only fair that she should be taken back in.

[reecie]

https://news.sky.com/story/second-ha...-ebay-12699578

Just glad I have a "gold" wrist band or like my wife and I called it "shit brown" 🤣

[Slamdoor]

Much respect to those who join the queue, giving their time and effort rather than disparaging comments from a keyboard in 10 seconds.

[Passenger]

Much respect to those who join the queue, giving their time and effort rather than disparaging comments from a keyboard in 10 seconds.

Gentle parody surely...respect when someone runs a marathon for charity or something of that nature... ´respect ´´for queueing though, let´s try and keep some perspective, grip on reality, as a nation...what next ´respect´ for queueing for 12 hours to buy the latest iphone, trainers, insert newest- fad consumable of choice.

[Kingstepper]

Read the wait reached 24 hours. Means they can’t be closing the queue which always seemed daft, ended up with a queue for the queue.

As for Beckham, apparently turned down an offer from an MP to jump the queue.

[ryanb741]

They should call the queue 'The Elizabeth Line'

[learningtofly]

They should call the queue 'The Elizabeth Line'

Excellent

[Chinnock]

Some people really do miss the point, ridiculing people for queuing for so long.

I think it’s fantastic, people getting to know strangers, shared views, creating new friendships.

With so much negative views, news and media bombarding people on a daily basis, can’t think of anything better than getting people together.

[Saint-Just]

Some people really do miss the point, ridiculing people for queuing for so long.

I think it’s fantastic, people getting to know strangers, shared views, creating new friendships.

With so much negative views, news and media bombarding people on a daily basis, can’t think of anything better than getting people together.

Sounds very much like “panem et circenses”.
The queue could have been much smaller if managed with a ticketing system, like they do in museums for special exhibitions. Everything else is apparently perfectly organised, with adequate policing, volunteering, food, and porta loos (hello Thérèse!). So why have they set up a system that would inevitably result in this queue? And how will they deal with the aftermath when people are forbidden from queuing (since I believe the deadline is on Monday morning). Or will they just close the gate and disperse people, betting on their exhaustion after 24 hours+ standing?
It’s also not about ridiculing the mourners, except for the queue jumping entitled prats who deserve everything that is thrown at them.

[learningtofly]

Sounds very much like “panem et circenses”.
The queue could have been much smaller if managed with a ticketing system, like they do in museums for special exhibitions. Everything else is apparently perfectly organised, with adequate policing, volunteering, food, and porta loos (hello Thérèse!). So why have they set up a system that would inevitably result in this queue? And how will they deal with the aftermath when people are forbidden from queuing (since I believe the deadline is on Monday morning). Or will they just close the gate and disperse people, betting on their exhaustion after 24 hours+ standing?
It’s also not about ridiculing the mourners, except for the queue jumping entitled prats who deserve everything that is thrown at them.

Actually, there's been lots of ridiculing of mourners on the other thread, Marc - in fact, it's been a constant. Unnecessary, and totally lacking in emotional intelligence.

[noTAGlove]

Sounds very much like “panem et circenses”.
The queue could have been much smaller if managed with a ticketing system, like they do in museums for special exhibitions. Everything else is apparently perfectly organised, with adequate policing, volunteering, food, and porta loos (hello Thérèse!). So why have they set up a system that would inevitably result in this queue? And how will they deal with the aftermath when people are forbidden from queuing (since I believe the deadline is on Monday morning). Or will they just close the gate and disperse people, betting on their exhaustion after 24 hours+ standing?
It’s also not about ridiculing the mourners, except for the queue jumping entitled prats who deserve everything that is thrown at them.

Exactly. You could have been given a ticket with a specific time slot on the basis that as long as you turn up at that time slot you will gain entry and maybe join a smaller queue. Then you are free to shop, go home, or just do whatever you want to do. Too many people, then start a ballot.

Nobody in their right efficient mind would create a queueing system like they have done for the queens funeral, unless your specific aim is to add to the ceremony, deference, monarchs importance and general pomp and circumstance.

I am all for people wishing to pass by the coffin if they wish to pay their respects, but going through some medieval overnight 24 hour unnecessary queueing torture as devised by the monarchs admin team, is just playing the public. The unquestioning public are happy to oblige.

[Kingstepper]

Sounds very much like “panem et circenses”.
The queue could have been much smaller if managed with a ticketing system, like they do in museums for special exhibitions. Everything else is apparently perfectly organised, with adequate policing, volunteering, food, and porta loos (hello Thérèse!). So why have they set up a system that would inevitably result in this queue? And how will they deal with the aftermath when people are forbidden from queuing (since I believe the deadline is on Monday morning). Or will they just close the gate and disperse people, betting on their exhaustion after 24 hours+ standing?
It’s also not about ridiculing the mourners, except for the queue jumping entitled prats who deserve everything that is thrown at them.

On-line tickets you mean?

Priority access for American Express cardholders and a Ticketmaster secondary market.

[JackTommo]

Respect for making the effort, 18 hour queue this morning! If there's one thing us brits do well it's queue!

Everyone shows their appreciation for the Queen in different ways, and all need to be respected in my opinion, hats off to those committing to the 18 hour queues.

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[mrushton]

Different queues. An accessible one, the big one, a press one I think and a VIP one for MPs, pop stars etc. Altho I noticed David Beckam joined the regular queue so good for him. Cant see Rees Mogg joining the plebs. No Etonians or top hats. Clearly the Queen must have had some sway over people. Mad to think the Beatles/Stones were children when she was crowned.

[snowman]

I'm not an anti-Royalist, I had a lot of respect for the Queen, but queuing outside for 24 hours to spend two minutes looking at some flags draped over a box seems like madness to me.

Each to their own, but while I can see that some people believe this is the best way to pay their respects and others, no doubt, want to feel a part of a historic event, I can't pretend to understand either view.

M

[xellos99]

I'm not an anti-Royalist, I had a lot of respect for the Queen, but queuing outside for 24 hours to spend two minutes looking at some flags draped over a box seems like madness to me.

Each to their own, but while I can see that some people believe this is the best way to pay their respects and others, no doubt, want to feel a part of a historic event, I can't pretend to understand either view.

M

Some guy did it twice over and some even made babies endure it.

[Passenger]

Getting sillier, man arrested last night for touching coffin...Darcey's Mam very unhappy...want's 7 year old Darce to get another turn on the Respecto go round, cos she's been queueing for 15 hours...Darcey's Mum still not cottoned on yet, comprehend the point, her place and role in all this performance has she.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...in-westminster

Looking on in mild bewilderment, pity and concern even.

[Hood]

Getting sillier, man arrested last night for touching coffin...Darcey's Mam very unhappy...want's 7 year old Darce to get another turn on the Respecto go round, cos she's been queueing for 15 hours...Darcey's Mum still not cottoned on yet, comprehend the point, her place and role in all this performance has she.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...in-westminster

Looking on in mild bewilderment, pity and concern even.

Incredible
She's actually wanting to take the poor kid back in.
Lunatic.

[Passenger]

Incredible
She's actually wanting to take the poor kid back in.
Lunatic.

imaginary 'honest' pep talk by her Ma'' Now pay your respects young Darcey and don't you worry your pretty head about the 12 million SHE paid to get her nonce son off, and remember all little girls deserve to be treated like a Princess...unless it's the Queen's favourite son ''

Lunatics...extraordinary cognitive dissonance, selective memory.

[Brauner Hund]

Sums up this thread.

[Franky Four Fingers]

The whole tradesmen entrance thing must be a kick in the nuts to all waiting, I’d understanding Charlie and the crew not waiting but imagine waiting 24 hrs to see Phil Scoffers slope in


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[Passenger]

The whole tradesmen entrance thing must be a kick in the nuts to all waiting, I’d understanding Charlie and the crew not waiting but imagine waiting 24 hrs to see Phil Scoffers slope in


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Respect for what Gordon the Gopher endured for years.

[noTAGlove]

^^^^^I didn’t say that the overseas news press hadn’t published articles on the queue, more that a spot check as at lunchtime today didn’t show anything on their webpages.

Still plenty of coverage, but the ad-nauseam coverage of the queue from the British press is not replicated overseas.

[noTAGlove]

If Danny Dyer turns up, is he entitled to a queue busting pass?

[noTAGlove]

The London ambulance service have said they have cared for 710 people along the lying-in-state queuing route since Wednesday, with 81 people taken to hospital.

The service said it treated 291 patients on Wednesday, of whom 17 were taken to hospital, 144 patients on Thursday, of whom 25 were taken to hospital, and 275 patients on Friday, of whom 39 were taken to hospital.

The majority of the incidents were faints and collapses, which resulted in head injuries, the service said.

[Franky Four Fingers]

The London ambulance service have said they have cared for 710 people along the lying-in-state queuing route since Wednesday, with 81 people taken to hospital.

The service said it treated 291 patients on Wednesday, of whom 17 were taken to hospital, 144 patients on Thursday, of whom 25 were taken to hospital, and 275 patients on Friday, of whom 39 were taken to hospital.

The majority of the incidents were faints and collapses, which resulted in head injuries, the service said.

Probably overcome with emotions more than anything else.

[blackal]

The London ambulance service have said they have cared for 710 people along the lying-in-state queuing route since Wednesday, with 81 people taken to hospital.

The service said it treated 291 patients on Wednesday, of whom 17 were taken to hospital, 144 patients on Thursday, of whom 25 were taken to hospital, and 275 patients on Friday, of whom 39 were taken to hospital.

The majority of the incidents were faints and collapses, which resulted in head injuries, the service said.

Can’t have someone in the queue waiting 5hrs for an ambulance - bad optics.

[wileeeeeey]

I think the queuing system is fantastic all things considered. In fairness no one could have imagined the queen would die one day and there was no way to plan this in advance.

[noTAGlove]

This Morning has broke cover.

Who would have thought that the press had special access? Lolz.

Surely it is all about personal mourning and the Royal machine is not favouring the press over those standing in the queue for 24 hours?

Yeah right. What BS. Surprising (not) that the royal PR team have kept silent on this.

Just stinks but to be expected from the royal PR spin machine.

This Morning presenters 'did not jump queue' say show
ITV show This Morning has said its presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby did not “jump the queue” for the Queen’s lying in state and were there to report on the event as media.

The pair have received criticism from some on social media after they appeared inside Westminster Hall without having taken part in the queue.

A statement shared on a story on the programme’s Instagram account said: “Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something. We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme.

“They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state – but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event.”

[noTAGlove]

0.37% of the U.K. population.

Or 1 in ever 270 people.

[Passenger]

0.37% of the U.K. population.

Or 1 in ever 270 people.

Nation united in grief...uhm hardly, I'd say that's another myth busted.

[M4tt]

Nation united in grief...uhm hardly, I'd say that's another myth busted.

If that's a myth busted, can you explain how more people could have got through than did? It's not as if there was any moment when they ran out of people and there was no queue, was there?

I wasn't going to go despite my feelings until my 87 year old MIL asked me to take her. Even taking the disabled route with a wheelchair it was about five hours to get a wristband for twelve hours later and another hour in the second queue. I got her there in the nick of time and the queue closed a few hundred people behind us, so I know that that was forty two thousand because the bands for that were numbered sequentially and mine was 415xx. I was told there that a million or so had gone through, although that does seem a lot.