Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state for several days before she is laid to rest on Monday, 19 September. But what exactly does this mean?
Lying-in-State is the tradition in which the body of a deceased official is placed in a state building. Placed either in or outside a coffin, it allows the public to pay their final respects. In the United Kingdom, the Lying-in-State takes place at Westminster Hall for both state and ceremonial funerals. During this time, the coffin is placed on a catafalque.
As the coffin lies, it is guarded around the clock by four men. These men are chosen from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, Household Cavalry, and the Foot Guards units. Each unit mans the guard for six hours, with each detachment standing post for 20 minutes. The men stand at each corner of the catafalque with their heads bowed and weapons inverted while their backs are turned towards the coffin.
There have been two occasions where the guard was mounted by four male members of the Royal Family. In 1936, at the Lying-in-State of King George V, the guard was mounted by his four sons, King Edward VIII, the Duke of York (later George VI), the Duke of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent.
About 20 years ago, in 2002, members of the Royal Family would again guard the mount while Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, was lying-in-state. The guard would be mounted by her four grandsons, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, and Viscount Linley, the son of Princess Margaret.
The first British monarch to lie at Westminster Hall was King Edward VII in 1910. It’s believed this action was inspired by the late-British statesman and politician William Gladstone who lay in the hall in 1898.
During the national mourning period, Her Majesty will lie at St Giles’ Cathederal in Edinburgh before she is moved to Westminster Hall in London on Wednesday, 14 September. She will remain for four days until the day of her funeral, Monday, 19 September. It is expected people will have to wait hours to pay their final respects and possibly, camp out overnight. The coffin will be on view 24 hours a day.
