Up to 400,000 people are expected over the next four days to pass by the Queen’s coffin as she lies in state in Westminster Hall.
Hundreds of people were already in the line between Lambeth Bridge and Westminster Bridge by 8 a.m. on Wednesday, even though the doors of the hall were not due to open until 5 p.m.
Cundy said: “We are expecting large crowds as so many will come to pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen. Police officers will be in the areas where people are queuing to ensure they are safe.”
As for protesters, he said: “We know there are some people who want to protest on a range of issues even at this time of national mourning. People have a right to freedom of expression and we must balance the rights of protesters with those of others who wish to grieve and reflect.”
‘The Queen Made Me Feel Proud to Be British’
Among the mourners was Kate Paysen, 58, who had flown in from Portugal, where she now lives.She explained: “I always felt that when the Queen died I would come and pay my respects. My father was in the army and I grew up in a royalist household, and I think it’s important to come and be part of history. I think the Queen for me always made me feel proud to be British.”
Gina Carver, 60, said: “To give up my day queuing is nothing compared to what she’s done for 70 years—and she does feel like our grandmother. She was the face of reason, you always think things are going to be alright if she says it’s alright.”
Sarah Santangelo, 50, said, “She’s sacrificed her whole life for this country, the least I could do is pay my respects.”
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer urged anti-monarchists to respect the mourners.
He told the BBC: “If people have spent a long time waiting to come forward to have that moment as the coffin goes past, or whatever it may be, I think: respect that, because people have made a huge effort to come and have that private moment to say thank you to Queen Elizabeth II.”
“Obviously we have to respect the fact that some people disagree. One of the great British traditions is the ability to protest and to disagree, but I think if it can be done in the spirit of respect … respect the fact that hundreds of thousands of people do want to come forward and have that moment, don’t ruin it for them,” Starmer added.
