This section of the route runs between the National COVID Memorial Wall and the River Thames, with views of the Houses of Parliament on the other side.
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This section of the route runs between the National COVID Memorial Wall and the River Thames, with views of the Houses of Parliament on the other side.
Rachel Treisman / NPR
LONDON – Hundreds of thousands of mourners from across and beyond the UK are waiting for more than 10 hours to walk in precious seconds with the late Queen Elizabeth II – the only known monarch, and female the last king of England. are expecting to see in their lifetime.
On Friday, the line – known as the queue in the UK – to see the queen lying in state at Westminster Hall reached 5 miles and had to be halted, as waiting times stretched to 24 hours. Specialism accessible queue permanently closed the next day after reaching capacity.
The public was promised long days, cold nights and sore calves, but still showed up. More than a dozen NPR devotees spoke in line and at the exit of the hall, all agreeing that the experience, no matter how exhausting, was well worth it.
“It’s really weird, actually, because if you tell an Englishman they’re going to be in line for that long, they’d rather say ‘Why? “” Ex-Soldier Chris Jay laughed, she waited about 10 and a half hours. “But obviously the queen [is] such an important part to many people in the United Kingdom and especially those who have joined the armed forces, served and sworn allegiance to the queen. I just felt the urge to come down here. “
Some come from other parts of the UK and Europe, others come from as far away as Canada and the US historically and a mix of uncertainty and optimism about the regime’s future monarchy under King Charles III.
After exiting Westminster Hall, Debbie, Stephen and Ashleigh Harvey (L to R) said they were heading to the pub to toast the queen.
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After exiting Westminster Hall, Debbie, Stephen and Ashleigh Harvey (L to R) said they were heading to the pub to toast the queen.
Rachel Treisman / NPR
Ashleigh Harvey said: “Everybody was in high spirits when they finally came out of the hall after about 13 o’clock. “I think a lot of people have been very honored to be here no matter how long the queue is, and people have accepted that and are happy to wait just to pay our respects.”
The mood is both mournful but also joyful, when everyone gathers together to celebrate the royal ceremony. Some dress up for the occasion, like the rugby coach wearing a Union Jack button-down vest and the history buff dressed as a 17th-century royalist, cape and all. And despite the report safety issues and crowded concernsmany people follow the line of bonding with their neighbors and describe a shared sense of community as a highlight of their experience.
Stephen Hansen dressed as a 17th-century royalist. He estimates he walked about 22,000 steps in his leather boots.
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Stephen Hansen dressed as a 17th-century royalist. He estimates he walked about 22,000 steps in his leather boots.
Rachel Treisman / NPR
“I made friends in this queue – we exchanged phone numbers, we shared food… there was a group we would meet later,” said Teresa Bhatti, 54. “We enjoyed every second of it.”
In contrast, the atmosphere inside Westminster Hall was quiet, peaceful and reverent, people said. That part of the line goes by much faster, with less time to process the inevitable flow of emotions. And at least one woman can be seen wiping her tears as she exits the gate.
Ying Shum and Joe Yuen, who moved to the UK a few months ago, said they were touched by the experience.
“Very meaningful, especially [because] We’re from Hong Kong,” said Shum. And I think most of the people who come here are willing to spend 10 hours, 20 hours – it doesn’t matter, because the queen has spent 70 years in her service. “
A moment that is historic but also personal
People praise the queen for her contributions to the country, especially for doing her duty over the years and for being a reliable and reassuring presence in both good and bad times.
Bryan Hunt, a Home Office civil servant who has volunteered online, explains that she has become a feature in the lives of millions, from banknotes to military medals.
Hunt says he met the queen at a garden party a few years ago – he remembers vividly how special she made him feel, as well as her “blue eyes and hers” How small is he?”
Sandra Napier, who decided to join the line while on a pre-planned visit from Northern Ireland, said the queen is not only loved at home but around the world as an ambassador . She was especially touched by the queen’s 2012 trip to Northern Ireland, when she shake hands with former IRA commander Martin McGuinness in what Napier describes as an important gesture of reconciliation and peace-building – something she says the world still needs.
She said of the event: “The world is in a precarious post-COVID situation, economically, for Ukraine, and I think this has really given people a positive focus and chained up. closer together.
Teresa Bhatti, far left, said she was looking forward to meeting later with some of the new friends in line.
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Teresa Bhatti, far left, said she was looking forward to meeting later with some of the new friends in line.
Rachel Treisman / NPR
Some said they defied the long run because they wanted to participate in an event that would be remembered for generations to come. Everyone has their reasons, and for some, it’s mostly emotional.
“I just feel like I need to be here for her,” Bhatti said.
Everyone will miss the queen, but optimistic about her successor
It’s hard for people to imagine England without a queen, now and in the near future. Many describe King Charles III as having big shoes to fill, but say they are assured that he has been preparing for this responsibility for decades.
Rosie Beddows, who lives with her husband and son, says she thinks with Camilla by her side, Charles will move the country forward in a perhaps more eco-friendly way. And she thinks William and Kate will make a “beautiful” prince and princess of Wales and future leaders.
“I think the monarchy is in a very strong position, and if you just look at this queue, this is what the monarchy means to the British public,” she said, a comment widely shared. other repeat.
Heather Labanya, 39, joined the queue at 7 a.m. Friday. About nine hours later, she spoke to NPR about how she reconciled the queen’s legacy with that of the British Empire.
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Heather Labanya, 39, joined the queue at 7 a.m. Friday. About nine hours later, she spoke to NPR about how she reconciled the queen’s legacy with that of the British Empire.
Rachel Treisman / NPR
Of course, not all Britons organization supportwhich people (especially younger) consider antiquated and colonialist.
Heather Labanya, half Zambian, admits there are many views on the British monarchy and says she has personally worked to separate the queen from the institution she represents.
In particular, she mentioned that independence fighters, including the first president of Zambia – a former British colony – had respect for the queen and her role in the democratic process. make it.
“I have always felt able to understand all of these composites,” she adds. “But the way my parents raised me, too, is to try to look ahead and continue to preserve the rich history we have as a family, as a culture, with the desire to make How can we rebuild a future that includes everyone.”
