Queen Elizabeth II started mendacity in state on Wednesday and can proceed to take action till her funeral on Monday morning. The queen is the primary individual within the U.Okay. to be honored this manner in 20 years.
When somebody lies in state, their coffin is positioned in a viewing space so the public pays their respects. Within the U.Okay., a king or queen, a present or previous queen consort and typically a former prime minister can lie in state forward of their funerals.
In 2002, an estimated 200,000 paid their respects to the queen's mom, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mom, as she was mendacity in state. She is the final member of Britain's royal household to take action, earlier than Queen Elizabeth II this week.
Different notable monarchs who've obtained this honor are the queen's great-grandfather, King Edward VII, in 1910; the queen's grandfather, King George V, in 1936; the queen's father, King George VI, in 1952; and the queen's grandmother, Queen Mary, in 1953.
Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone in 1898 and Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill in 1965 have additionally had this honor.
The queen's mom and grandmother had been technically queen consorts since they had been married to kings. The present Queen Consort Camilla, who's married to the brand new King Charles III, would presumably lie in state as properly.
Queen Elizabeth II's husband, Prince Philip, didn't lie in state when he died final yr as a result of he's not a king. Though he was married to a queen, his title was prince.
In the US, presidents and notable politicians can lie in state forward of their funerals and most have been within the Capitol Rotunda.
A couple of non-politicians have obtained the excellence forward of their funerals, and it's referred to as mendacity in honor. Officer Brian D. Sicknick and Officer William F. Evans, who died from the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, civil rights chief Rosa Parks and the Rev. Billy Graham have all obtained the glory.
Within the U.Okay., the queen was honored in Scotland with a ceremony at Edinburgh's St. Giles' Cathedral, the place she additionally lied in relaxation for twenty-four hours. The Royal Air Pressure carried her coffin to Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, throughout a big procession together with the royal household, her coffin traveled from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster, the place the general public pays their respects for 5 days, 24 hours a day.
The coffin rests on a raised platform in the midst of Westminster Corridor, and every nook is guarded across the clock by items from the Sovereign's Bodyguard, Foot Guards or the Family Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
The coffin is closed on the platform, referred to as a catafalque, and is draped within the Royal Commonplace flag. The Orb and Sceptre, that are a part of the Crown Jewels and are used on the monarch's coronation, are additionally positioned on prime.
Guests will be capable to stroll previous the coffin to pay their respects however ought to count on lengthy strains — presumably in a single day, the U.Okay. authorities mentioned. They will even should undergo airport-style safety to get in.