Short service to mark start of Queen's lying in state

The queue to see the Queen lying in state could stretch five miles. (Photo: Getty/iStock)

The Archbishop of Canterbury will lead a short service before Westminster Hall is opened to the public for the Queen's lying in state.

Archbishop Justin Welby will be accompanied at the service by the Dean of Westminster.

It is expected to last around 20 minutes.

After the service, the hall will be opened to members of the public to come in and pay their respects over the next four days.

The government published the full queue route on Tuesday, stretching around five miles along the Thames from Albert Embankment to Southwark Park. 

It is believed around a million people will turn out to pay their last respects, with queuing times possibly peaking at 35 hours.

Only around 400,000 people are expected to be able to file past, meaning up to 600,000 people could be turned away.

Churches along the route are reportedly being asked to offer practical assistance to people waiting in line.

The Queen's coffin returned to Buckingham Palace last night from Scotland, where hundreds of thousands of people came out to pay their respects.

A short service was held the coffin's arrival, attended only by close family members.

Today, the royal family will walk behind the coffin as it is taken from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in a solemn procession through central London.

News
House of Lords urged to back abolition of non-crime hate incidents
House of Lords urged to back abolition of non-crime hate incidents

The House of Lords is being urged to vote in favour of abolishing controversial non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs). 

World is at a 'dangerous tipping point', say Church leaders in appeal for peace
World is at a 'dangerous tipping point', say Church leaders in appeal for peace

The Church leaders said that the recent escalation in Iran and the Middle East had only added to the "distressing list" of ongoing conflicts including those in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, and Myanmar.

Faith communities generate £250m annually for Welsh economy - report
Faith communities generate £250m annually for Welsh economy - report

Faith communities across Wales are delivering social action worth at least £250m a year while playing a vital role in addressing poverty, loneliness and mental health pressures.

How Christians should respond when senior public figures are arrested
How Christians should respond when senior public figures are arrested

The first thing Christians must do is uphold the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty'.