Susanna Reid says seven hour queue to see Queen lying in state was 'worth every minute'

Virgin Radio

16 Sep 2022, 09:44

Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid has queued over seven hours to see the Queen lying in state and said the wait was “worth every minute”.

The presenter joined the thousands of mourners flocking to Westminster Hall to pay their respects to Her Majesty and said the experience was “utterly magnificent”.

In a tweet, Reid said: "Evening - along with my lovely mum and her very good friend, I have just experienced a moment in history - witnessing the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall. At once majestic and peaceful."

She continued: “Once you enter Westminster Hall, it is worth every minute of The Queue.

“Utterly magnificent.

“Quiet. Respectful. Historic.”

Reid updated her followers as she made her way through the queue and shared her own tips like wearing your “comfiest shoes” and bringing loo roll just in case.

As she waited in line, the presenter tweeted: "If you are planning to queue here are our tips.

"We joined at 1.23pm near Butlers Wharf and entered Westminster Hall at 8.43pm - 7 hours 20 mins.

"Wear the comfiest shoes you own.

"Go with someone if you can, although everyone in the queue was friendly."

In a different post Reid also advised queuers "don’t carry too much in a bag” as water is available at different points with cafes along the route.

She added: “Also plenty of toilets. I put my phone on low battery mode and it lasted the entire time.

"Take loo roll. Carry wet wipes for hands - not sanitiser as it will be confiscated by security."

The public will be able to see the Queen lying in state at Westminster 24 hours a day until it closes at 6:30am on 19th September- the day of her state funeral.

However, according to the live tracker from The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the queue is currently at capacity, and entry has been paused. Officials are asking mourners not to attempt to join until it resumes.

This morning, the queue reached four miles long with a 14 hour wait for mourners to see the Queen’s coffin.