Lying-in-state

Lying-in-state in the UK is given to the Sovereign, as Head of State, the current or past Queen Consort and sometimes former Prime Ministers.

Many notable occasions of lying-in-state have taken place in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament, a few days before the funeral ceremony, including:

• 1898 - William Ewart Gladstone

• 1910 - King Edward VII

• 1936 - King George V

• 1952 - King George VI

• 1953 - Queen Mary

• 1965 - Sir Winston Churchill

• 2002 - Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

The ceremony

During the lying-in-state period, the coffin rests on a raised platform in the middle of Westminster Hall. Each corner of the platform is guarded around the clock by units from the Sovereign's Bodyguard, Foot Guards or the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.

Members of the public are free to file past the platform and pay their respects.

Queen Mother

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, died on 30 March 2002. She lay in state for three days in Westminster Hall where people could visit before her funeral in Westminster Abbey on 9 April 2002.

An estimated 200,000 people paid their respects to the Queen Mother.