The queue for those who would like to pay their respects to the Queen has been revealed and it could reach Southwark Park in south-east London, according to the Government plan.

Published on Tuesday night, the queue plan will follow the River Thames and potentially continue to Southwark Park.

More than 1,000 volunteers, stewards and police officers are set to manage the queue.

From Wednesday, it’s thought that tens of thousands of people could join the line in what is expected to be a major logistical challenge for authorities in London as members of the public visit the capital to say their final goodbyes to the Queen who died on Thursday (September 8).


The Queen's life in pictures


According to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport plan, members of the public will join the queue on the Albert Embankment and it will pass behind the London Eye onto the Southbank.

They will then follow the river while passing landmarks such as the National Theatre, the Tate Modern and HMS Belfast, reaching “maximum capacity” at Southwark Park.

The Argus: (PA Graphics)(PA Graphics) (Image: PA Graphics)

After passing through Albert Embarkment, mourners will continue across Lambeth Bridge and they will go through airport-style security before they are able to enter the Palace of Westminster.

Those who wish to pay their respects to the Queen can visit the lying in state from 5pm on Wednesday and it will be accessible 24 hours a day until Monday, September 19, the day of the Queen’s funeral, when it closes at 6.40am.

Metropolitan Police officers will be joined by stewards and volunteers and toilets and water fountains will be situated at various points along the route.

To manage the queue, a wristband system will be in place, giving those waiting a coloured and numbered wristband which will be specific to each person that joins the line and they will be “strictly non-transferable”.

The Argus: The King’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard in the Palace of Westminster ahead of the arrival of King Charles and the Queen Consort on Monday (Markus Schreiber/PA)The King’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard in the Palace of Westminster ahead of the arrival of King Charles and the Queen Consort on Monday (Markus Schreiber/PA) (Image: Markus Schreiber/PA)

“Your wristband also allows you to leave the queue for a short period to use a toilet or get refreshments, then return to your place in the queue,” according to the official guidance.

Mourners will also see St John Ambulance members along the route as well as more than 100 Scouts aged between 18 and 25 plus volunteers from the charity Samaritans.

Lambeth Palace is expected to offer a multi-faith pastor service to provide support for those who need it.

Chief executive of the Scouts, Matt Hyde, called it an “honour” to play a role in proceedings, while Keith Leslie, the chair of the Samaritans, said volunteers would be there to “listen and support anyone who would like to talk openly about how they are feeling”.

The Argus: The bearer party carry the coffin of the Queen at RAF Northolt (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)The bearer party carry the coffin of the Queen at RAF Northolt (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) (Image: Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)

The Government said the main queue has step-free access with a separate accessible route also planned to run from Tate Britain where timed entry slots will be issued for a queue that will go along Millbank to the Palace of Westminster.

Guide dogs will be allowed inside Westminster Hall and sign language interpreters will also be available.

Venues will be staying open longer to accommodate queues including the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe.

The British Film Institute on the Southbank will also open for longer and will be showing archive footage of the Queen on an outdoor screen.

Chief executive of the Southbank Centre Elaine Bedell said the organisation was “pleased to be able to play our part in providing a little bit of respite”.

Cafes and other businesses are expected to follow suit and welfare centres will also be in place.

The Argus: Barriers and portable toilets are erected in Westminster, London, ahead of the Queen’s lying in state (Stefan Rousseau/PA)Barriers and portable toilets are erected in Westminster, London, ahead of the Queen’s lying in state (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA)

It’s important to note that strict rules on bags will be in place and those wishing to visit Westminster Hall are urged to plan ahead.

Once inside, the public will be able to walk past the Queen’s coffin which will be raised on a catafalque and will be draped in the Royal Standard, with the Orb and Sceptre placed on top.

Units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London will be guarding the coffin at all hours.

Michelle Terry, the artistic director of the Globe, said the world-famous theatre will be open 24 hours a day during the lying in state, with a rosemary wreath of remembrance adorned on the gates along the river in reference to Shakespeare’s play Hamlet.