The Line for People to Pay Their Respects to the Queen Is Currently Over 4 Miles Long
That's... a lot of miles.


It's not hard to see how much Queen Elizabeth II meant to Britons and royal fans around the world in the aftermath of her passing.
But nothing makes it quite as clear as the line—affectionately dubbed "The Queue"—that has formed for people who wish to pay their respects to the late monarch during her period of lying in state at Westminster Hall in London.
Those who wish to do so have been able to since Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. local time and will be able to until Sept. 19 at 6:30 a.m.
For a country that prides itself on its love of "queueing," this particular line is an achievement: It comes with very British orderliness, toilets, water points, first aid stations, its own website, and a live tracker for those who wish to join the line (or are extremely fascinated by it).
At time of writing, the queue has reached a whopping 4.3 miles long, and even comes with its own What3Words location so that people can find the end of it. The line is capped at 10 miles if need be, per the BBC.
As many as 750,000 people are expected to come pay their respects, according to Reuters, and people are spending hours in the queue, some even spending the night there, while it moves constantly.
A 91-year-old woman named Joan Bradshaw spoke to the BBC about why she came, 70 years after she did the same for Elizabeth's father, King George VI.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
"I just wanted to be there. Same as I wanted to be here," Bradshaw said.
"I can’t remember much. But it was completely different. It wasn’t so crowded.
"That’s made such a big queue—people coming from all over the world."
She observed, "It was big [in 1952], but nowhere near as big as it is now."
When she reaches the end of the queue, Bradshaw will be able to see the Queen's coffin up close, with its adornments and crown lying on top of it.
"I shall be very happy to see her, because it’s not the same watching on television. You need to be amongst the people to get the feeling inside," she said.

Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
I Tried Kate Middleton's Surprisingly Simple Morning Routine
My results were hit or miss—but the princess is on to something with one step.
By Kristin Contino
-
Meghan Shares Photos of Archie and Lilibet's Vibrant Red Hair
The little royals most definitely take after dad Prince Harry.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Former Royal Nanny Opens Up About George, Charlotte, and Louis
"You see how grounded they really are."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Staff Had "Never Seen Queen Elizabeth as Angry" as When Royal Visitor "From Hell" Brought a Dangerous Surprise Guest
The unwanted visitor caused an international incident.
By Kristin Contino
-
Queen Elizabeth Gave the Perfect Response When Pope Francis Presented Her With Priceless Gifts for Prince George
The late pope spared no expense when it came to treating the infant prince in 2014.
By Kristin Contino
-
Queen Elizabeth's Two-Ingredient Lunch Supposedly Helped Her Stay Healthy and Look Younger
The late monarch was "not a foodie," but kept her meals simple and fresh.
By Kristin Contino
-
The Witty Way Queen Elizabeth Responded When a Royal Family Member Said Corgis "Should Be Shot"
Criticizing the monarch's beloved pups was a big mistake.
By Amy Mackelden
-
The "Awkward" Royal Family Easter Rule Kate Middleton Broke in 2018 Involving Queen Elizabeth II
The Princess of Wales was pregnant with her third child—Prince Louis—at the time.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Former Royal Butler Says Donald Trump's Comments About Queen Elizabeth and King Charles Are "Perfect PR" for the Royal Family
"The royal’s PR team are not going to mind that at all."
By Kristin Contino
-
James Middleton Shares Why He Was "Breathless and Flustered" During Meeting With Queen Elizabeth
"I heard a snort of laughter and looked past the Queen to see everyone in the room stifling their giggles."
By Kristin Contino
-
Lip Reader Reveals the "Disapproving" Comment Queen Elizabeth Allegedly Made During Kate Middleton and Prince William's Wedding
She reportedly had lots of nice things to say, too.
By Amy Mackelden