Lying-in-state
Lying-in-state describes the formal occasion in which a coffin is placed on view to allow the public to pay their respects to the deceased before the funeral ceremony.
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.