Thousands of people paid their respects to Queen Elizabeth II on Saturday, and all eight of her grandchildren stood silently beside her coffin. The mourners were in a line that snaked across London and took up to 16 hours to complete.
The weather was expected to be cold on Saturday. It is cold tonight. The ministry in charge of the line recommends warm clothes.
There were a lot of people wanting to say goodbye to the queen in Parliament's hall for another day. The queen's coffin is draped in a royal standard and capped with a diamond-encrusted crown.
The number of mourners has grown steadily since the public was admitted on Wednesday, with a queue that stretches for more than five miles.
King Charles III and his son Prince William paid a surprise visit Saturday to greet people waiting to file past Elizabeth's coffin and shake hands.
All of the queen's children were by her coffin. William and Prince Harry, Charles' sons, were joined by Princess Anne's children, as well as Prince Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and the two children of Prince Edward.
William bowed his head at the head of the coffin and Harry at the foot. The princes were wearing uniforms. The mourners were silent.
As the queen's coffin left Buckingham Palace, Harry wore civilian clothes because he is no longer a member of the royal family. He and his wife relocated to the US in 2020. The king wanted William and Harry to wear their uniforms.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie issued a statement saying they were loved by their grandma.
We thought you would be here for a long time. We all missed you. Our matriarch, our guide, our loving hand on our backs was you. The sisters wrote that they would treasure the lessons and memories that you taught them.
People from all walks of life have lined up to see the queen. Many bowed their heads before the coffin. The veterans offered sharp salutes. People cried. Others kissed each other. Many were proud to have spent hours in line to offer a tribute, even if it was only a short time.
Volunteers gave blankets and cups of tea to people in line as the temperature dropped. The mourners described the warmth of the experience.
We had wonderful companions and new friends. Chris said the camaraderie was great. I think it was worth it. I'd do it again and again. I would go for my queen.
There were many reasons for people to come, from a desire to be a part of a historic moment to a love for the queen. He likened it to a pilgrimage.
He said that it was odd because it went against his grain. "I have been drawn into it."
The queen's four children stood together at the coffin on Friday.
Edward said that the royal family was overwhelmed by the tide of emotion that has engulfed them and the number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect for their mother.
Incoming prime ministers, governor generals, and military leaders were with the new king on Saturday.
A man was arrested for a suspected public order offense. A person got out of the queue and tried to get to the coffin.
A man tried to run up to the coffin, lift up the standard and try to do something, but his niece was pushed out of the way, according to the woman. The man was arrested in two seconds.
The state funeral for Britain's longest-reigning monarch will take place in the early hours of Monday. The queen died in Scotland at the age of 96.
The gun carriage carrying the queen's coffin will travel through the historic heart of London after the service at the abbey. The hearse will take the queen's remains to Windsor where she will be buried with her husband.
The public can watch the services and processions at certain locations.
In addition to a number of viewing areas along the route, mourners will be able to watch on screens in Hyde Park. The funeral will be shown in 125 cinemas across the UK.
The British army, air force and navy held a rehearsal for the final procession. The sound of drums echoed in the air as marching bands walked ahead of a hearse as troops lined the path leading to Windsor Castle.
The Platinum Jubilee in June celebrating the queen's 70 year reign will be the largest policing event the force has ever handled.
That's right.
You can follow AP's coverage of Queen Elizabeth II.
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