Will I be allowed to join the accessible queuing system?

[InvisibleDisability]

I really want to see the lying in state in London as a sign of my respect for her majesty. I’ve been watching all coverage on TV and her dedication and loyalty to us all has been making me frankly emotional. I feel the least I can do to honour her is to brave the crowds and the conditions to see her lying in state.

However… I have (several) invisible disabilities including POTS and ME/CFS. These mean I get tired easily and when I overdo it am prone to collapsing. However, I’m willing to risk it for this last chance to pay my respects. Do you think I would qualify for the accessible queuing system? Would I need to bring “proof” of disability? I’ve got my PIP paperwork if that’s needed?

note: the guidance has just been released on gov website announcing the queuing route and the accessible queuing scheme which is much shorter and will operate on a ticketing basis. By all accounts you turn up at Tate Britain to get a timed ticket (nor guaranteed as depends on numbers I guess) then you go to the palace for the set time?

I’m thinking of taking my DS tonight. He has ASD and other co-morbidities and low muscle tone but loves pageantry, history and London and really wants to go. He’d still have to get up for school tomorrow though!

weddingDecliner thanks so much for all your helpful updates. We were only at Tate Britain a few weeks ago so it will be familiar to him.

Just to let you know I’ve just been through the disabled accessibility queuing scheme, had to wait about 10mins to get my wristband but I’ve now got timed entry for 11pm. They didn’t ask for any proof of disability (I’d brought my old blue badge just in case, my current one is in the car obv!) The entrance is a 10min walk from Tate Britain but they’ve got wheelchairs and loads of army volunteers to push you if you’ll struggle with that walk. All the roads beyond Lambeth bridge are pedestrianised so it’s easier to walk around if crowds are a problem for you.

Oh and I’d definitely recommend coming down if anyone is unsure but wants to, there’s a real sombre atmosphere everywhere but a sense that everyone does really want to be here out of respect. I’m currently sat on a wall on parliament square just taking it all in.

@InvisibleDisability is there a queue to the actually accessibility kiosk? I’m just thinking if you’ve been given a time of 11pm, I probably wouldn’t get there till 9pm so may not get in until 2am

Im currently in the queue for an accessible wristband. Its short about 10 mins so far. Current timeslot is 12-1am. When that is full they move onto the next one. From what the volunteer just said its been steady until 5pm when everyone finished work and came down and then the slots filled quickly.

So was 10 minutes in the queue got my wristband at 18.40 and time slot 1am-2am.

Okay thanks, Bluebubble. It might be easier to go tomorrow earlier instead.

Hi everyone, this thread has been so helpful! Thanks to everyone. I want to come tomorrow but I have scoliosis and just could Not stand in the other queue that long. It causes me so much pain. The only proof I have is 2 very impressive scars from my surgeries… I’m hoping I won’t need to show them but would if I had to. I am coming from Bristol and just wondered if you think I’ll be ok getting through the accessible queue and if there will be enough slots - I would be gutted to come from Bristol and be turned away. Thanks everyone!

It was straight in at 7am this morning.

I dont think anyone can predict the demand going forward but a long a your are prepared to wait for your slot I dont see how they would run out (until nearer Monday)

The 36 Bus goes from Paddington to the end of John Islip Street/Millbank and it is a 5 minute walk from there. Get off at the Pimlico station (you cant actually see the station)

Guys this thread has been so helpful, thank you to all the contributors. I was going to leave my home and make my way around 20:00 but if the slots are 2am onwards now I will not go as my son wanted to come. You saved me a trip!

I think they only have a limited capacity of accessible places per hour, so if those places are already allocated you wait a bit for another time slot, so this could get gradually longer as time goes on. Dh took a consultant's letter but did not need to show it. The criteria is for disabled, D/deaf and neurodiverse people and people with long-term health conditions and mobility issues .

@Weathergirl1 we went early, no queue for the wristband and straight to the houses of parliament (800m walk). From there an hour or so wait to actually be inside and view the lying in state. When we left there was a much longer queue for the wristband kiosk, not sure how long the wait is later on in the day. I wasn't asked for any proof of disability and everyone was quite friendly.

@begoniagal3 thanks for the update 👍

You’ll take the risk of fainting just for this! Wow some people are bonkers !!

Hi! Does anyone have any updates on the time slot that’s currently booking?
many thanks!

Hi all, my 10 year old disabled son really wants to visit the queen lying in state and we live 2.5 hours away. He has autism and only being allowed one carer in with him would cause significant anxiety as it would mean splitting the family up. Does anyone know if both parents and sibling can go through at the same time with him? Otherwise we can’t take him.
Thank you!

@BonnieBooBaa according to government guidance here www.gov.uk/government/publications/attending-ceremonial-events-for-the-lying-in-state-and-the-state-funeral-of-her-majesty-the-queen/her-majesty-the-queens-lying-in-state-at-the-palace-of-westminster-houses-of-parliament#accessibility
it does seem to be the case that only one career is permitted:

There is an accessible queuing scheme available for those with a disability or long-term condition which means they are unable to queue for an extended period of time. If you require this queue, you may be accompanied by one carer or companion.

@BonnieBooBaa according to government guidance here www.gov.uk/government/publications/attending-ceremonial-events-for-the-lying-in-state-and-the-state-funeral-of-her-majesty-the-queen/her-majesty-the-queens-lying-in-state-at-the-palace-of-westminster-houses-of-parliament#accessibility
it does seem to be the case that only one career is permitted:

There is an accessible queuing scheme available for those with a disability or long-term condition which means they are unable to queue for an extended period of time. If you require this queue, you may be accompanied by one carer or companion.

Wish I’d known this information when Our late Queen was in Edinburgh as it was only a 6hr round trip. I trawled every bit of information I could find to see if I could discover what the criteria for special access que but found nothing.
I have fibro, CFS & suffer with anxiety & panic attacks.
I’ve been to London 2x before I became disabled & it wasn’t a great experience with out my disabilities 😢
8+ hour round trip for us just to get to London never mind queuing 😐
We’ll consider the trip tomorrow night when my partner is home.

Hi, I have scoliosis and going tomorrow. Have got a photo of my rod, not sure what else to bring as proof! Good luck!

You don’t need any proof. @BonnieBooBaa , I don’t think they will turn away two carers. They were quite friendly and welcoming when I was there.

I went this morning arrived just before 8am and there was no queue for wristbands, I walked down to Westminster Hall queued and was in for 9am. I wasn’t asked for any proof and didn’t see anyone else asked. It was really well run and everyone was so kind. I have fibromyalgia and took a stick with me, but I saw people with autism so it is definitely not just for those with limited mobility or stamina.

Just be aware to plan your route to get there as a lot of the tube stations have steps, the bus a PP mentioned sounds like a good plan. It is flat all the way to Westminster Hall and step free access to get in.

Just asked again (am waiting here til my slot at 1am in the warm) current time slot booking now at 21.55 is 7-8 am for anyone wondering.

Hi all, thank you for this helpful thread. My DC are autistic, they generally know what 'church' is and like the routine of it - and so 'behave' fairly reasonably. But I'm curious how it would be taken if they did speak loudly, point, generally fail to act in line with expectations for NT children. I'm wondering if any of you who have already been to pay your respects have any thoughts about this? I don't want us as a family to cause offence by appearing rude.

Thank you so much for this. Are there lots of people still turning up? I was going to bring my autistic son in before school but if they’re already up to 7-8am I don’t think that will work after all.