What It's Like to View Queen Elizabeth Lying in State, as Seen by a PEOPLE Reporter

Mar. 15, 2025

As was the sense of history.

Westminster Hall.Juliet Butler

Atmosphere outside Westminster Hall on September 15th, 2022.

Queen Elizabeth.Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

A general view as King Charles III, Princess Anne, Princess Royal and Camilla, Queen Consort view the coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth II being laid to rest in Westminster Hall

Westminster Hall.BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty

Members of the public pay their respects as they pass the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it Lies in State inside Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster in London on September 14, 2022. - Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Westminster Hall inside the Palace of Westminster, from Wednesday until a few hours before her funeral on Monday, with huge queues expected to file past her coffin to pay their respects.

We were quietly led into a corner of the cold cavernous hall to watch the silent vigil filing past.

The mourners stopped for a moment as they passed to bow, salute, curtsy or blow a kiss at this crowning moment of their long journey.

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Atmosphere outside Westminster Hall on September 15th, 2022.

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Queen Elizabeth lying in state.CHRISTOPHER FURLONG/POOL/AFP via Getty

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II Lies in State on a Catafalque inside an empty Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, in London on September 14, 2022, ahead of the public being allowed in to pay their respects. - Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Westminster Hall inside the Palace of Westminster, from Wednesday until a few hours before her funeral on Monday, with huge queues expected to file past her coffin to pay their respects.

After half an hour, during which time seemed to stand still, we are ushered back towards the side door and stop once more before the casket to briefly nod our heads in respect.

Seeing the Queen lying here — in this, the most ancient and historic building in the Palace of Westminster — I felt that it was entirely the right place for her to be. The silent hall seemed filled with a sense that she was at peace, and that she would no doubt be grateful for the love and homage of her subjects, which was so evident in the short time I was there.

I was witnessing the end of the second Elizabethan era.

source: people.com

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