anyone queuing to see the coffin in London atm?

[DickDarstedly]

I am wondering how long the queue is and how the organisation is working out. Are there enough toilets? Is it true that the wristband allows you to leave and come back?

EDITED BY MNHQ Please find the link to the new thread www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4635946-anyone-queuing-to-see-the-coffin-in-london-atm-pt-2

I can see there's a lot of debate over the merits of queuing but I thought I'd share my experience of queuing last night.
My DH has mobility issues so we headed to the accessibility queue at Tate Britain last night about 10pm, registered and got a wrist band and was given a time slot of between 11-12pm. We did drive there, there's plenty of parking around the Tate and there are also disabled parking spaces as well. There are seats at Tate Britain inside and out, toilets, free tea and coffee. They advise you wait there until 15 minutes before your slot. You then wander along in your own time and join the accessibility queue. You follow a different path and go through different security to get in.
If anyones watched the feed you can see people entering from the bottom right - that's where the step free access is and you then walk up to the steps at the top right and then join the queue with everyone else and walk back down. There is nowhere to sit apart from a few bus stops on the walk from Tate Britain although there are a few places to lean so it is still 'hard work' if you have mobility issues.
We actually walked past the coffin at about 12:40pm so it's still quite a long wait. I was pleased to have got the chance to go though, the camaraderie is great in the queues but you could hear a pin drop in the hall and it was very peaceful and everyone was very respectful inside. It was very, very moving and something I shall never forget.

I queued for two hours to see Gremlims at the cinema! 🤷‍♀️😁

I'm going sat with my partner, his son and his mother and my brother and my daughter. The children are both 11 and are adamant they want to do it. This feels like a momentous occasion for all of us.

I don't understand why people keep putting those who want to Q down..?

People in my local city start Qing at 12am for Next Sales on Boxing Day.

People will happily Q for many things , that others don't understand

Each to their own.

@HappySonHappyMum : thanks for sharing your update, it is so helpful as can then work out if it’s really feasible or not (my mum has trouble standing/uses a cane so I can give her a bit of a time frame)

As to ‘why go’ - my motivation is to pay my respects for HMQ’s exceptional service, we will never see a Sovereign like this again. I think the public going to some of the official events is a recognition of this: of course it’s not for everyone but I can’t imagine how it would be if no one went to the lying in state, the processions etc : it would be a snub and that’s not how I feel.

It is also an opportunity to see what you never will again close up and with your own eyes, as well as paying respects

People had normal backpacks with pockets, zips etc. I had a handbag with several zips and pockets and it wasn't a problem - it was xrayed. Some security guards were saying lipsticks had to be discarded along with liquids. I left my lipstick in my bag and it was fine. The person in front of me had to discard a large bottle of sunscreen and her hand gel though.

@LisbonKid that is really nasty and uncalled for, and ignorant. People taking part in a societal ritual which means something to them, especially one in which many many other people are participating in a spirit of community and shared memories or beliefs, is not a "joke", it is a deeply human instinct and part of all human societies.

You have every right to ignore it, reject or even oppose it if you wish. No-one is compelling you to be involved in any way or to consider it meaningful or even relevant or desirable. But such sneering at other people's choices is really not on.

You completely ignored my good-natured, well-intentioned, serious post about people's possible motivations earlier. You seem to be after not just the 10 minute argument but the full half hour, to quote a famous comedy sketch.

This is great information thanks a lot!👍🏿

There’s a name for people who just keep repeating what others have said as well. PARROT.

It's very interesting seeing that more women are now bowing than curtseying.

I think I’ll bow when I get in; I couldn’t risk falling over doing a curtsey.

Why? They might feel really proud to do it. They might feel comforted by being so close to their mum. It is quite a surreal sight for sure and having such access to otherwise distant figures is a real one off but I'm interested in why it makes you feel uncomfortable?

I wonder if those people ridiculing those queuing for HM would queue for hours for a Boxing Day sale or similar? Personally I think queuing like that is bizarre (and sad) but each to our own. I wish I had the time to get to London and pay my respects to HRH and I hope those with the stamina to do so feel only gladness that they did indeed go.

@Artyblick : feel exactly that

and grateful for the good health that means I was able to make it - many, including the older generation might feel it’s too much for them even if they want to (especially if it’s already a journey into London) or expense they cannot afford etc

So they can be part of history.

Because it's a "once in a lifetime" moment.

Because the kids asked to go

Strangest photo from the catafalque yet.

WOW!!!
have folk taken time off work and lives to insult people in an internet forum just because they are doing something that has no impact on those folk?
Really?
what a joke these folk are.
go do a good deed fora living older person

Madame Tussaud's got in early

I'm really moved and impressed with the conduct of the children I've seen onscreen. Many looking intelligently thoughtful and reflective and some bowing heads in respect. Quite amazing and inspiring.

I think we do not give children enough credit. They are very intuitive to atmospheres. I heard maybe one toddler being slightly grisly much earlier this morning. All the rest (I've seen) have been a real credit to their parents.

Surprising that some appear to be in school uniform. I'm assuming they've asked to go. I'm amazed. At that age, I was so typically 'me focused' big themes like this went over my head. I wouldn't have understood the gravitas. Clearly more clever than I at the same age. My two (early twenties) are not quite moved either (terrible parenting obs).

If anyone here has gone with their children, how do they feel about the experience? How did you all manage with the waiting times?

We can't be far away from our first miracle.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_touch

Can anyone give me up to date travelling from the train station advice.
I'm now arriving at London EUston after midnight.
Think tubes will have stopped running??
Can I walk to current end of the queue?
I know it will change, but roughly?
Not familiar with this part of London.
Not overall familiar with any of London as a tourist from another UK city but I do come from time to time.

Put your travel details into the planner on the TFL website, adjust for your projected arrival time at Euston, it will show you which TfL services will be running to your destination (you will need to know where the queue starts of course). . There might be night buses, but I think most tubes will have stopped. Cabs will be available of course, but at a price. If you are a good walker then it is walkable, but if you don’t know London well then I wouldn’t really advise it, you might also look a bit vunerable if you were constantly checking your position on the map.

What's happened to the live feed?

Definitely good walker.
I'm.worried now as I.imagined streets would be busy with people doing the same as me!!