The Queue - my experience of waiting in line to see the Queen lying in state

I wanted to do something to honour Queen Elizabeth II who had been such an excellent role model to so many, always carrying out her duty with style and dignity for 70 years. I joined #theQueue at around 2am and spent just over 12 hours in line. People behind me had come from as far away as Torquay and Northumberland. The atmosphere was very convivial. This video is a compilation of my photos and thoughts as I waited. I've added time codes (of the actual time I was there) relating to my comments below. I met some lovely people in the queue, and it was a really memorable experience. It was a privilege to be able to feel a part of this historic occasion.

2.08 - The start of the queue in Southwark Park. Airport style zigzagging fences meant we walked many more steps.
3.33 - The first surprise was how often the queue stopped moving. We stood and waited patiently until we moved on again. It started to feel very cold when we stood still.
5.05 - this was the hardest part of the night. We were stopped in this zigzagged area for around an hour. The ground was muddy, so we didn't want to sit. Friendly security staff started to give out blankets. I noticed two people wearing shorts and tops - no coats. (Apparently it's a thing according to others in the queue - you only stop wearing shorts on 1st October!). Friendly stewards were giving out blankets.
6:11 - A young man stood on a wall and recited his poem. I was filming the other way, but captured his voice!
One of the hotels along the river was giving out very welcome free cups of tea and coffee.
7.20 - Meet Waheed! My queuing partner! He had worked in many of the office buildings we passed, and knew the names of all the bridges and landmarks we passed without needing to consult Google maps! He knew where all the best coffee shops were. He was very knowledgeable about London history too - a very interesting companion!
7.25 - It started to feel much warmer when we were sheltered by the buildings.
9.55 - The other queue - for the toilets!
10.50 - Selfie with wristband. We were told to take selfies showing us wearing our wristband, as some people had lost theirs and weren't allowed to continue.
11.03 - Joy and her friend, Dorothy. They managed the whole route with their walking sticks. (Joy told me later that they were allowed to skip the final 'maze'.)
11.13 - They asked if I wanted my photo taken with or without handcuffs!
11.19 - Chelsea pensioners chatted to people in the queue to help keep spirits up.
11.40 - The guys in shorts!
13.11 - Nearly there. Lots of medals on this chap.
We then had to switch off all phones and go through airport style security. All food and liquids had to be discarded. (A girl next to me had to throw away a big bottle of expensive perfume. She was gutted.) The blankets were collected for washing and re-use. Any unopened non-perishable food was collected for the local food bank.
14.31 - Caught the Changing of the Guard while standing on the steps inside Westminster Hall. Breathtaking inside. What a moving moment for me. A memory I will treasure.
(I walked a total of 24,731 steps in just over 12 hours! Partly because I was dropped at 'the queue' - and I had to walk for about 20 mins to get to the start of the queue in Southwark Park to collect my all important wristband!)
I slept extremely well last night, and I'm very stiff today! But today was a Bank Holiday in the UK, so I was able to relax at home with the Queen's Funeral on TV all day.

Видео The Queue - my experience of waiting in line to see the Queen lying in state канала SugarSweet Video Productions