Menu
UK Parliament

Attending Lying-in-State: practical information

13 September 2022

There is no description available for this image (ID: 173154)

The Lying-in-State of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II takes place in Westminster Hall. It is now closed to the public.

Getting to the Lying-in-State

There are certain items you cannot bring, and a bag drop before you reach the Palace of Westminster. No animals are permitted other than assistance dogs. Consult all the guidance set out on GOV.UK before you attend.

Queue

You will need to join a queue to attend the Lying-in-State. Please note that the queue is expected to be very long. You will need to stand for many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down, as the queue will keep moving.

The queue may close early to ensure as many visitors as possible can enter the Palace before the Lying-in-State period comes to an end at 6.30am on Monday 19 September.

Information about the route for the Lying-in-State queue is available on GOV.UK: Her Majesty The Queen's Lying-in-State at the Palace of Westminster (external website).

Once you reach the front of the queue, you will pass through Victoria Tower Gardens and security searches before entering the Palace of Westminster through St Stephen’s Entrance.

Access

Disabled access

There is access for those with mobility issues. Follow the accessibility information on GOV.UK: Her Majesty The Queen's Lying-in-State at the Palace of Westminster (external website).

Visitor Assistants in Parliament will guide wheelchair users and any people with mobility issues (and their carers) along a route to access Westminster Hall.

Accessible toilet facilities

There are no public toilet facilities available within Parliament. Details of facilities available along the route of the queue will be available on GOV.UK: Her Majesty The Queen's Lying-in-State at the Palace of Westminster (external website). 

Assistance dogs

Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other official assistance dogs are permitted within the Palace of Westminster. No other animals are permitted.

Medical equipment

Equipment required for medical reasons will be permitted. If not visually obvious on arrival at the security search point, please make the security team aware of the equipment.

Travel in London

Please refer to Transport for London (TfL) for travel information and advice:

There is no parking available at the Palace of Westminster. Visitors are strongly advised to use public transport or taxis, as there are extensive road closures in place in the Westminster area.

Security

Visitors will go through airport-style security and there are tight restrictions on what you can take in. Only small bags are permitted.

To prepare for security screening, please place items such as mobile phones, keys, small change, belts, heavy jewellery and watches into your bag or jacket pocket if you have one.

There is a strict bag policy in operation. You are only permitted to bring one small bag per person into the Palace of Westminster. It must be smaller than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, with one simple opening or zip so you can move quickly through the security check.

If you have to bring a larger bag, you will need to leave it in the bag drop facility, which you will be directed to. However, capacity is limited and there is no guarantee that there will be space at the facility. Items are left at an individual’s own risk. Waiting for bag storage space to become available will increase your queuing time.

Prohibited items

You must not bring any of the following items into the security search point or Palace of Westminster.

Prohibited items will be confiscated and will not be returned. Illegal items will be dealt with by the police.

  • Bags larger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm in size, bags or rucksacks with expandable compartments, bags or rucksacks with multiple pockets or complex openings, solid-sided bags, or bags on wheels. There is a bag drop facility with limited capacity before you enter the security search point but there is no guarantee that there will be space at this facility.
  • Flasks or water bottles, except clear water bottles which must be emptied of their contents before you enter the security search point at the Palace of Westminster.
  • Food and liquid of any kind. Any food or liquids must be consumed in the queue or disposed of before you enter the security search point at the Palace of Westminster.
  • Flowers or other tribute items, including candles, soft toys, and photographs. These items cannot be taken into or left in the Palace of Westminster, and should be taken to the dedicated floral tribute areas in Green Park or Hyde Park.
  • Sharp items, including knives, Swiss Army knives, scissors, cutlery and screwdrivers.
  • Personal defence equipment, or any object that could be used as a weapon and/or compromise public safety, including personal defence sprays.
  • Paint sprays, padlocks, chains, climbing gear, and dangerous or hazardous items.
  • Fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, whistles, laser devices, and other items that could be used to cause a disturbance or noise.
  • Banners, placards, flags, advertising or marketing messages, and other similar items that could be used to cause a disturbance.
  • Coolers, hampers, sleeping bags, blankets, folding chairs, and camping equipment.
  • Any other items, as directed by security staff or police at the security search point.

If you require essential medication or equipment that you need to keep with you, please explain this to the security staff or police at the security search point so they can check the items.

Attending Lying-in-State

Filming, photography and mobile devices

Filming and photography in Westminster Hall are strictly prohibited on this occasion.

Out of consideration for other mourners, please do not use mobile phones or other handheld devices while you are on the parliamentary estate. Devices should remain switched off in your pocket or bag at all times.

Dress code

Please dress appropriately for the occasion to pay your respects at the Lying-in-State. Do not wear clothes with political or offensive slogans.

In Westminster Hall

As you enter Westminster Hall the queue will divide to pass on either side of the catafalque, the raised platform where the coffin lies. You are asked to keep moving forward at all times while you are in line until you have exited into Parliament Square. This will greatly help to ensure as many people as possible are able to pay their last respects to Her Majesty.

Departure from Westminster Hall

As you leave you will exit into Parliament Square. We ask that you move away from the exit as soon as possible to help those following behind you. Please remember to collect your belongings from the designated collection point before making your onward journey.

Lying-in-State: useful links

The House of Lords is responsible for the Lying-in-State in Westminster Hall. Responsibility for other aspects of the ceremony, and the funeral arrangements of Queen Elizabeth II, is with other organisations:

Lying-in-State FAQs

Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Lying-in-State. 

Opening times

Westminster Hall will open to the public 24 hours a day from 5pm on Wednesday 14 September until 6.30am on Monday 19 September. The queue will be very long and may close early to ensure as many visitors as possible can enter the Palace before the Lying-in-State period comes to an end.

How do I get to the Lying-in-State?

The Lying-in-State takes place in Westminster Hall in the Palace of Westminster in London. Please refer to Transport for London (external website) for the latest travel guidance in London.

How long will it take to queue?

The latest information about the queue is on GOV.UK: Her Majesty The Queen's Lying-in-State at the Palace of Westminster (external website).

The queue is expected to be very long. You will need to stand for many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down, as the queue will keep moving.

What accessibility information is available?

Step-free access will be available for those who need it. More details on step-free access and accessibility are on GOV.UK: Her Majesty The Queen's Lying-in-State at the Palace of Westminster (external website).

Where can I sign books of condolence?

Please find information on the Royal Household website (external website).

Is there a dress code for attending the Lying-in-State?

Please dress appropriately for the occasion to pay your respects at the Lying-in-State. Do not wear clothes with political or offensive slogans.

What usually happens in Westminster Hall?

Westminster Hall has an important place in British history. It was built between 1097 and 1099 and, apart from renovation in 1394 when the spectacular roof was constructed, it has remained virtually unchanged ever since. It has hosted many significant ceremonial and administrative events including the trials of Sir Thomas More (1535), Anne Boleyn (1536), Guy Fawkes (1606) and Charles I (1649).

What is the difference between a state and a ceremonial funeral?

There are two key differences between a state funeral and a ceremonial funeral:

  • A state funeral is authorised by a parliamentary motion.
  • The gun carriage bearing the coffin to the Lying-in-State has, since the funeral of Queen Victoria, been drawn by Royal Navy sailors rather than by horses.

When was the last Lying-in-State?

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, died on 30 March 2002. She lay in state for three days in Westminster Hall where an estimated 200,000 people paid their respects before her funeral in Westminster Abbey on 9 April 2002.

The first monarch to lie-in-state in Westminster Hall was Edward VII in 1910.  

Which parliamentarians will be involved in the Lying-in-State and funeral service?

Members of both Houses of Parliament, as well as the Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh legislatures, will attend a service at the start of the Lying-in-State of Queen Elizabeth II.

What is the procession route from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster?

On Wednesday 14 September the Lying-in-State procession will transport the coffin of Her Majesty The Queen from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where the Lying-in-State will begin.

Information and guidance about the procession is on GOV.UK: Procession for the Lying-in-State of Her Majesty the Queen. 

What is parliamentary procedure following the death of a monarch?

Further questions

If you have any further questions, please email lyinginstateinfo@parliament.uk.

Image: The Imperial State Crown rests on the coffin of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall. Copyright House of Lords 2022 / Photography by Roger Harris

Related news