Other Ways to Spend the Bank Holiday After the Queen’s Funeral
If you are unable to spend the entire day in Westminster Hall watching the funeral of the Queen, there are a number of alternatives that don’t involve waiting in line for nine hours. You could go outside for a walk, or visit St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
Queue expected to be up to nine-hours long
People queued up for hours to pay their respects at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth. In a move that is expected to cause a major headache for queue-jumpers, the Queen’s family asked people to be patient. Many people said it was worth the wait. Others said they became part of history. David Beckham, who waited in line for 12 hours, shared snacks and posed for photographs with fellow mourners. In one instance, he bowed before the coffin as she entered the hall. The queue was so long, in fact, that the London Ambulance Service was called in to treat four hundred and thirty-three people along the route. Of these, 42 people were taken to hospital.
The queue is now more than five miles long. In some places, people have fainted while waiting. But the line did drop to two miles on Wednesday night, and more people are expected to join the queue over the weekend.
Alternatives to waiting in Westminster Hall
Waiting in Westminster Hall is not for the faint-hearted. The Hall has an imposing, ancient architecture and is filled with history. In the 17th century, it was the setting of King Charles I’s trial and execution. It has been a place of mourning for many monarchs, including Elizabeth II’s mother, father, and grandfather. Today, the Queen’s coffin rests on a catafalque in the center of the room and is crowned with the Imperial State Crown, royal Orb, and Sceptre. The queue was so long, the hall was nearly full by the time it opened on Friday. On Saturday, the queue reached a record-breaking 14 hours, but was later halted for six hours.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to standing in the queue at Westminster Hall. The late Queen will remain in state in the hall until the morning. A vigil will be held by her grandchildren and other members of the royal family. The Prince of Wales will be there along with Prince Charles and his six cousins. He will wear military-style clothing to honor her memory.
Walking outside
If you don’t want to attend the Queen’s funeral on Monday, you have a few options. For example, you can join a walking group. Or, you can get a job working in the news industry. You can even spend the bank holiday day doing something you’re passionate about, like walking.
If you’re a diehard fan of the Queen, you can spend the day viewing the funeral from outside. The line is expected to start on the Albert Embankment near Lambeth Bridge, and may even extend as far as Southwark Park in south east London. Alternatively, you can head for a walk around Westminster. Westminster station is just a few minutes away, and St James’ Park is within walking distance from Westminster Hall. However, the government has advised that this event will attract a huge crowd, so you should plan accordingly.
While many people will be honouring the Queen at the funeral on Monday, there are also hundreds of thousands of others who will need to make use of the rare bank holiday. Most public buildings and sports centres are likely to be closed, but you can spend the day in the great outdoors. You can also go shopping, visit museums, or just spend time with your friends and family.
