reportage
United Kingdom: the British parade to pay their last respects to the Queen
Audio 01:19
Members of the public march past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, inside Westminster Hall, in London on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. AP - Ben Stansall
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
Since this Wednesday evening, the British can meditate on the coffin of Elizabeth II.
This is on display at the Palace of Westminster until Monday morning, the date of the Queen's funeral.
The queue to get there winds along the Thames.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected.
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With our correspondent and our special correspondent in London,
Emeline Vin and Daniel Vallot
On a gun carriage, the coffin of Queen
Elizabeth II
, draped in the royal standard and covered in flowers, arrived in Westminster, where it will remain on display so that the British can pay their last respects to their late monarch.
It was after a procession
from Buckingham Palace
, her official residence during her 70-year reign, that the coffin of the Queen, who died aged 96 last Thursday, arrived at Westminster Hall.
Parading on both sides of the coffin, the public sent kisses or bows to the queen, their eyes often red with tears.
After 18 hours in line,
Polly
was able to spend a minute in front of the coffin of Elizabeth II, draped in the royal standard.
“
When you walk in, it's beautiful.
We were all in front of her, in tears, without saying anything.
Now was not the time to talk.
She was well worth it
, ”she testifies.
People cry as they leave Westminster, London, Wednesday, September 14, 2022. AP - Kin Cheung
Leaning on the many barricades around Westminster, Dorian comes to his senses.
He was among the first to see the queen's coffin after waiting for 12 hours.
“
It was no sacrifice at all, especially compared to what she gave to this country for 70 years.
I would have waited another 24 hours if it had been necessary.
She was an honest, good woman, she never had a mean word to anyone.
It's the least I can do to give my time to pay homage to him,”
he says.
Most citizens have put on comfortable clothes, several layers to face the rain and the night.
Martin, three-piece suit and dark tie, had met the Queen.
I know she was 96, but I thought she would last for several more years.
To be in front of the coffin for good is a special, moving experience.
It was hard, but I sent her a few words, in my head, to say goodbye to her and thank you for all that she has done for our country
.
Nearly a million people are expected, for a continuous tribute until the funeral.
An emotional procession
The queen's coffin arrived in Westminster surrounded by a procession set to the millimeter.
At the front of the procession, police and soldiers on horseback.
In the back, members of the royal family followed on foot.
A show that Barbara would not have missed for anything in the world.
I saw the whole procession, the coffin and behind, King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
But I didn't see Prince Harry… I was too busy filming everything on my phone.
I'll look when I get home.
🔴🇬🇧 Respectful silence on the #Mall as the coffin of Queen #ElizabethII and her family pass pic.twitter.com/stqPC75CMg
— FRANCE 24 French (@France24_fr) September 14, 2022
For Kean, who came with his wife and daughter, it was of course to see the coffin and the members of the royal family, but also and above all to greet Queen Elizabeth one last time.
“
We have watched everything on television in recent days, but here, we are really participating in the mourning of the whole Nation.
It's sad, of course, but it's also a way to celebrate the incredible life the Queen has had
!
“says the father of the family.
►Also read: Death of Elizabeth II: the end of a world?
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