Groups of people camp outside Buckingham Palace in London.
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Europa Press via Getty Images
Groups of people camp outside Buckingham Palace in London.
Europa Press via Getty Images
On the eve of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, in the shadow of Big Ben, people gathered near Parliament to watch a moment of national reflection.
After a minute of silence, followed by a hearty cheers and applause, most of the crowd quickly dispersed – except for those who would spend the night right there on the sidewalk.
Dozens of groups have set up tents, sleeping bags, deck chairs and pizza box towers along the blockaded street where the queen’s coffin will move on Monday. Camping before a royal event is a beloved tradition for some and a bucket list item for others, but special for everyone.
Michelle Larsen, 42, was traveling from Oregon with her daughter and mother, with whom she spent many late nights watching royal events on TV. They booked their flights to London on the day the queen died.
Michelle Larsen, 42, pictured with her child McKinley Larsen, 11, and mother Barbara Tuma, 67, where they camped out overnight outside Westminster Hall and the Houses of Parliament in London.
Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR
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Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR
Michelle Larsen, 42, pictured with her child McKinley Larsen, 11, and mother Barbara Tuma, 67, where they camped out overnight outside Westminster Hall and the Houses of Parliament in London.
Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR
“It was [in] our thought processes were like, “Hey, she’s been alive for a long time… so if this happens and we can go, let’s do it,” she told NPR.
They are especially excited to experience such an event among the British people, and they say it has not disappointed them so far. They were surprised and impressed that many people continued to show up to pay their respects as well as the friendliness and welcome of everyone. Larsen’s mother, Barbara Tuma, 67, is particularly appreciative of hearing young women admire the queen and treat her like a grandmother (both refer to her as “Granny,” she added.
Members of the public camp behind barricades line up along the procession route ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in London on Monday.
Marco Bertorello / AFP via Getty Images
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Marco Bertorello / AFP via Getty Images
Members of the public camp behind barricades line up along the procession route ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in London on Monday.
Marco Bertorello / AFP via Getty Images
“I just always looked at her…and now I look at her even more,” says Tuma. “I have more respect for what King Charles will become.”
The trio booked a hotel room for the trip and packed a sleeping bag in case they decided to go camping – which they did on Sunday night. And they have a lot of companies.
Nearby, Bethany Harris, 24, was getting ready for her second night of camping and noticed that this time there seemed to be more people. NPR asks: How does it feel to sleep out there? She won’t know.
“I slept for about an hour at 5:30 a.m. this morning,” Harris told NPR. “There’s so much noise, there’s so much going on, you just can’t sleep. It’s like there’s some kind of unexciting atmosphere, but there’s just an atmosphere of solidarity and things like that, it’s really, really cool.”
Her neighbor Michelle Berrisford, 64, agrees. She came alone because her daughters couldn’t make it, and she spent most of the day bonding with Harris and her family.
“I went to Diana’s wedding, to her funeral, I went to Kate and William’s wedding, and I just had to come,” Berrisford said.
This time was completely different, she said, with fewer campers and a quieter tone. She may not know what to expect, but as a seasoned royal camper, she knows what to pack.
“No matter what time of year, always bring warm clothes, class after class,” she says. “And a glass of wine.”
Hardish Purewal drinks a fizzy drink next to her friend Loo Blackburn as they camp overnight outside Westminster House and the Houses of Parliament in London.
Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR
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Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR
Hardish Purewal drinks a fizzy drink next to her friend Loo Blackburn as they camp overnight outside Westminster House and the Houses of Parliament in London.
Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR
Further along the sidewalk, a group of four women took it upon themselves to create a cozy space, complete with English long-tailed dogs for decoration.
Hardish Purewal, Loo Blackburn and Rosie Johnson have been friends for more than 20 years – since their now grown kids go to school together – and Rosie’s daughter, Ella, is joining them.
Rosie Johnson and her daughter Ella Johnson camped out overnight outside Westminster House and the Houses of Parliament in London.
Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR
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Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR
Rosie Johnson and her daughter Ella Johnson camped out overnight outside Westminster House and the Houses of Parliament in London.
Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR
They defied the cold, armed with coats and gin, because they wanted to pay respects to the queen, whom they considered one of a kind and “the ancestor of the nation”.
“Tomorrow is about saying goodbye … and paying tribute to a wonderful, wonderful, strong woman,” Purewal told NPR.
They were also excited to watch the procession, which was not only for world dignitaries but also British leaders and agencies taking part. Blackburn added:
“It’s a real kind of celebration of all things British.”
