For a friend - how early would you get to the Mall if you really wanted to see on Monday?

[OchreDandelion]

A friend has asked me how early she should get to the Mall if she really wants to see the funeral.

I think she is (kindly) bonkers and will be watching in a pub with food, loos and a big screen. But as I am a Londoner she has asked me for advice...

Anyone here with experience from the Royal Wedding or the Jubilee? How late is still early enough to be near the front?

People will be there from today. Even if you arrived at say 8am, you would find scores of people.

Yesterday 😁😁😁😁😁

That's what I said...

I went for the royal wedding...think we got there about 5/530 and were second from the front.

That is what I thought. I think Hyde Park might be better (still an occasion but less stress). Or home!

The public guidance says not to camp but that is probably not enforced, don't you think?

Thank you, that is helpful.

i thought the no camping was for The Queue

You could be right. As I have no intention of heading into Central London, I have not looked that hard.

We were in London yesterday, and there were already a few areas along the route where small groups had set up their tents.

Yesterday, if she wanted front row - thinking of the main processions before, and afterwards at least as far as Hyde Park Corner.

Today for second/third rows. No later than 5am on the day - not if you want to see the coffin (unless you are very tall). You will however be see the riders (so much higher up) and of course you'll get the full atmosphere

I think that they have crowd control points, and when certain areas are full, it'll be shut.

Thank you everyone. Some helpful advice.

My friend was in today and said people already camping opp the Abbey ready for Monday

Thanks! Oh dear, I hope she is not disappointed when she comes in. She said her daughter is really keen to see.

On Wednesday the north side of the Mall towards Admiralty Arch was relatively less busy than the St James' Park side until late morning, although a bit more tricky to reach.

I saw people who had already started sleeping in chairs along the Mall and outside Westminster Abbey quite early on Thursday morning.