K
Charles III and Prince William have met the public on Lambeth Bridge for a surprise visit to ‘The Queue’.
The King and Prince of Wales thanked the people who have come to pay their respects to the Queen.
They had earlier visited the Metropolitan Police’s central control room to thank emergency service workers for their work and support ahead of the Queen’s funeral.
The King shook hands with the new Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and the new Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
Meanwhile, officials have warned that the waiting time for the queue to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state is up to 14 hours, although it has dropped from 24 hours overnight.
Read more
The Government’s monitoring feed has warned that entry to the queue will be paused if it reaches capacity. He had earlier warned people not to travel to join the line.
Thousands of people lined up overnight to see the Queen’s coffin.
Last night’s mourners could pass as the Queen’s children held a vigil around her coffin.
At around 10pm a man was arrested after he “rushed towards the Queen’s coffin and raised the royal standard”.
His grandchildren, including Prince William and Prince Harry, are due to hold a similar vigil on Saturday evening.
Live updates
Show latest updates 1663423508
Canada’s Prime Minister and his wife sign the condolence book
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Trudeau have signed a book of condolence to the Queen at Lancaster House in London. They are visiting on Monday to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
AP166423113
The Prince and Princess of Wales joined the King and Queen Consort for a lunch at Buckingham Palace with the Governors-General of the Commonwealth realms on Saturday.
Kate was seen deep in conversation with Camilla.
The princess, who wore her hair down, was pictured smiling at the queen consort, who was holding a glass with a lemon wedge, as the pair chatted.
At one point, Kate, wearing a long three-strand pearl necklace, put her hand on the arm of St. Lucia Governor-General Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles as they spoke.
The princess also stood by the king as he spoke to dignitaries, with William also mingling in the busy room.
Attendees included the Governors General of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.
1663423017
Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex greet the crowd
Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex have been seen greeting well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace.
Sophie received bouquets of flowers and a stuffed animal for the mourners waiting outside.
1663421932
The Saudi crown prince will not attend the queen’s funeral
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will travel to London to meet the king but will not attend the queen’s funeral, according to reports.
Representatives from Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry are likely to attend, but King Salman will not.
1663418438
The Queen’s face “lit up” at the memory of the Paddington sketch
The Queen’s face “lighted up” as she recalled her famous platinum jubilee sketch with Paddington Bear, a former Church of Scotland moderator has recalled.
The Very Rev Dr Martin Fair has spoken of his pride after he stayed with the late monarch at Balmoral Castle at the end of August, just before his death on September 8.
The sketch saw the Peruvian bear visit Buckingham Palace for afternoon tea, where the Queen showed him a jam sandwich from her handbag.
Dr Fair said: “Her face lit up with the most radiant smile you can imagine and she said: ‘That was pretty funny, wasn’t it?
“As I look back on that night, I’m so glad she was in such good shape – smiling, laughing and enjoying the retelling of special memories.”
1663418055
Royals thank emergency workers
Prince William and his father King Charles earlier thanked staff from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Special Operations Unit in Lambeth. Workers will play a vital role in the Queen’s funeral on Monday which has been described as Britain’s biggest ever security operation.
PA1663417392
“Put down your phones and enjoy the moment”
As the king made his way through the queue, a security guard constantly urged people to put down their “phones, shake hands and enjoy the moment”.
King Charles security officer tells people waiting in line to turn off phones and ‘enjoy the moment’
1663417309
“I hope you’re not too frozen”
A couple told King Charles that they met him yesterday in Wales; while another said they had already queued overnight for 13 hours.
“I hope you’re not too frozen,” the King could be heard telling a woman.
He stopped to chat briefly with a woman holding a Paddington Bear toy that she said had come from Peru.
REUTERS1663416644
William thanks people for queuing so long
The Prince of Wales thanked people for queuing for hours for the Queen to be in state, as he shook hands with mourners.
Several people cried after meeting him, and one woman told him, “One day you will be a shining king.”
Charles left before William, both in cars surrounded by police vehicles.
REUTERS1663416253
The crowd applauds Charles and William
Hundreds of people cheered and cheered as Charles and William came out to meet them in line.
Many took pictures and pressed against the metal barriers, eager to exchange a word with the King and the heir to the throne while shaking hands with those closest to them.
Several also shouted “God save the King” and “God save the Prince of Wales” as each passed. Both the king and the prince encouraged the people in line and thanked them.
Reuters