The Duke of York mingled among the crowd of thousands lined up to pay their respects to the Queen Mother at Westminster Hall on Sunday, accompanied by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie. And as Andrew thanked volunteers and the public, he was “overwhelmed” with the powerful scene, which saw 12-hour waits and queues up to four miles long.
Andrew and the young princesses had just left Westminster Hall, where they had witnessed for themselves the throngs – an estimated 3,000 people per hour – who filed past the coffin in silence. “It was important for me to bring my girls here,” he said.
By 9am on Sunday the queue was two miles long, and by midday the wait estimate had grown from six to 12 hours. Andrew’s chats seemed to raise the spirits of the patient wellwishers, and as he expressed his appreciation for the kind outpouring, the feeling was reciprocated. “Excuse me, sir,” called one man, who had travelled over 100 miles to pay his respects. “Thank you for coming.”
Andrew and the young princesses visited Victoria Tower Gardens where the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service was serving tea – 30,000 gallons had been poured by the time of the royal visit – free of charge. Though it was a sombre occasion, the Duke again brough some lightness: “Your tea must be very good,” he joked. “Look at the queues!”
“He was immensely grateful,” commented one volunteer. “He was overwhelmed. You could see he was so amazed that people have put themselve out ot go to such lengths.” She added: “But that’s how we felt about him coming here. We were well chuffed.”
On Monday, Andrew will return to Westminster Hall, along with the Queen Mother’s other three grandsons – Charles, Edward and David Linley – to stand vigil in silence, as members of the public file past her casket. Heads bowed, the Prince of Wales will wear Rear Admiral formal dress, the Duke of York will don his Royal Naval Commander uniform and Edward and David will wear morning coats.
As thousands continue to queue waiting for their brief opportunity to say farewell to the beloved Queen Mother, others are already taking their places in advance of the Tuesday morning funeral. Margaret Kittle, a 67-year-old Canadian, found a spot near the Abbey’s Great West Door, and will be camping out until Tuesday. “I first saw the Queen Mother when I was four years old and I thought it was just magical,” she said. “Something like that stays with you.”
The outpouring of love and respect for the Queen Mother from her family and the public alike will be well represented in her funeral service. Dean of Westminster Dr Wesley Carr confirms that the ceremony will portray the Queen Mother in her official role, but will also highlight her “gentle and human” side.
Over the weekend a Palace spokeswoman confirmed that Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince Charles’s companion, will be attending the funeral. “She knew the Queen Mother very well over the years and, therefore, it is appropriate that she will come,” said the representative. Camilla will not be seated with the Prince Of Wales, however; she will sit with her sister Annabel and brother-in-law Simon Elliot.