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Apr 6, 2002 A solemn processionThousands queue for royal adieu
LONDON -- The royal family shared its grief over the Queen Mother's death yesterday with hundreds of thousands of Britons who lined the streets to watch the pageantry as the royal matriarch's coffin was carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage to lie in state at Westminster Hall. Prince Charles' eyes filled with tears as he walked behind the gun carriage with 14 other members of the family. A card signed by the Queen, poignantly using her mother's nickname, was placed in the centre of a large wreath of white flowers adorning the casket. It read: "In loving memory, Lilibet." An estimated 400,000 people lined the streets through the heart of London, some hanging out of office windows to get a look at the Queen Mother's coffin -- draped in her personal royal standard -- as it silently made its way to ancient Westminster Hall. Members of the Life Guard in red tunics and gold helmets topped with flowing white plumes mounted a vigil -- their heads bowed -- at the four corners of the coffin, ceremonially changing the guard every 20 minutes. As the doors opened for the public to file past the Queen Mother's coffin, a four-hour line snaked back from the medieval hall. Public viewing was extended beyond the intended closing time for all in the line to pay their respects. FUNERAL TUESDAY The Queen Mother, who died last Saturday at the age of 101, will lie in state until Monday night. Her funeral will be held Tuesday at Westminster Abbey and she will be interred at Windsor Castle next to her husband in a private service. Andrew Hay, 36, camped out overnight to be the first member of the public to walk past the coffin. Hay, a truck driver from Hampshire, said he wanted to pay his respects because of what the Queen Mother meant to the country. "It was that indomitable spirit, I think, she just went on and on no matter what happened, she was able to overcome it," he told the BBC. 1,700 SOLDIERS About 1,700 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth slow-marched in the procession, including a dozen Canadians from units served by the Queen Mother as colonel-in-chief. Men of the Toronto Scottish Regiment, the Black Watch of Canada and the Canadian Forces Medical Service spoke of how the silence along the parade route will remain with them as a lasting memory of the day. "It was incredible how quiet it was," said Leading Seaman Robert Morgan, 44, of the Canadian Forces Medical Service, based in Ottawa. "You didn't hear any background noise of any type, you didn't hear any bells ringing, nothing. It was just dead silence." Walking behind the gun carriage, Princes Charles, Andrew and Edward joined their father, Prince Philip. In a break with tradition, Princess Anne -- also in uniform -- walked alongside her brothers. The Queen was taken by car to Westminster Hall to receive the coffin. Next Story: Escort bust-up Previous Story: New plan for Africa |
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