The death of the Queen plunged the nation – and people around the world – into a state of sadness. At 96, and after 70 years as a constant source of comfort and hope to many, her loss has hit people hard.
With the funeral now a bank holiday to allow the nation to grieve, it’s clear her subjects want to show their respect to the late monarch.
So much so that mourners are, in fact, facing waits of up to 35 hours to see Her Majesty lying-in-state.
Being as beloved as she was, it’s likely many will want to leave a personal tribute, be it a message on a card or a bouquet of flowers.
Here’s how you can pay your respect to Her Majesty the Queen, and what factors to take into consideration…
Where to go to see the Queen’s coffin procession
Before lying-in-state for four days at Westminster Hall, the Queen’s coffin will make a slow procession through the streets of London.
On Wednesday, September 14, the coffin will be carried in Procession on a Gun Carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster, where she will lie-in-state until the morning of the State Funeral.
The Procession will travel via Queen’s Gardens, The Mall, Horse Guards and Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square and New Palace Yard. After the Coffin arrives at Westminster Hall
There are four optimal viewing areas to go to – but make sure to get there early as large crowds will be expected.
These viewing areas include:
- Green Park side of The Mall – the nearest tube stations include Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park Corner and Green Park
- St James’s Park side of The Mall – the nearest tube stations include Victoria and St James’s Park
- Horse Guards Parade ground – the nearest tubes are Charing Cross, Embankment, Temple or Waterloo
- Whitehall (East) – the nearest tube stations are Embankment and Temple.
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Follow Metro.co.uk's live blog for the latest updates, and sign Metro.co.uk's book of condolence to Her Majesty here.
Where to leave flowers and tributes for the Queen
Many people wish to leave flowers and other gifts for the Queen and the Royal Family.
If you’re in London, a memorial flower garden has been created in Green Park.
Any flowers left in the proximity of Buckingham Palace will be sensitively moved at the end of each day to the Green Park Floral Tribute Garden.
If you’re elsewhere and want to leave a tribute to the Queen, there are designated locations including:
- Windsor Castle – flowers can be laid on the Long Walk at Cambridge Gate
- Sandringham, Norfolk – tributes can be left at Norwich Gate, Sandringham Estate
- Belfast – Floral tributes can be laid in the dedicated area at Hillsborough Castle, on the Castle Forecourt. Only flowers are requested – soft teddys and other gifts will be collected and donated to local hospitals
- Edinburgh – members of the public can lay tributes in the Physic Garden, next to the Abbey Strand gate
- Balmoral – Flowers can be laid at the Main Gate to the Castle
There are also a number of rules for what kind of tributes to leave before you go out and buy something, to reduce waste and stay mindful of the area.
These include:
- Plastic wrappings must be removed from flowers, with only organic or compostable materials to be laid
- Tributes left in other areas will be moved to designated areas each night when possible
- No bigger gifts or artefacts should be left as tributes, although cards are accepted and will be periodically removed by Green Park stewards ‘with discretion and sensitivity’
- Candles should not be lit within the parks, for safety reasons
- Photos can be taken in and around the tribute area
What were the Queen’s favourite flowers?
If you wanted to make it extra personal, the Queen was reportedly a huge fan of Lily of the Valley.
Not only did the flower feature in her coronation bouquet in 1953, they have been a permanent feature at the gardens of Buckingham Palace for decades.
Her Majesty was presented with a replica bouquet of her coronation flowers back in 2013.
The flowers are famous for their bell-shaped, fragrant blooms.
Other ways you can pay tribute
Another fitting way to pay tribute is to make a donation to one of Her Majesty’s many charities and patronages.
During her reign, Her Majesty was associated with more than 600 charities, covering everything from the arts and physiotherapy to bereavement care and women’s issues.
The official Royal Family website includes a list of patronages and charities the Queen with which the Queen was involved.
How to leave a condolence message to the Queen
Fortunately for people who cannot get to London or other royal residences, there are plenty of online condolence books you can use to send messages to the Royal Family.
In addition to Metro.co.uk‘s online condolence book, fans can send a message through the Royal Family website.
If you wish to sign a book in person, National Trust locations will have books to sign from Wednesday, September 14.
A full list of these locations can be found on the National Trust website.
How long will flowers and tributes stay outside the Palace?
Tributes will be left on site until all ceremonial activity has taken place, roughly seven to 14 days after the funeral on September 19.
MORE : The stunning flowers named after Queen Elizabeth II – and how to grow them
MORE : List of countries that won’t get an invitation to the Queen’s funeral
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