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Queuing to see the Queen lie in state has stopped for “at least” six hours after Southwark Park reached capacity, it was announced on Friday morning.
The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports (DMCS) announced the move as thousands of mourners queued for hours for a third day to pay their respects.
At approximately 12pm, the gates of Southwark Park were closed to prevent more mourners from joining the queue.
As preparations continue for Monday’s state funeral, King Charles and Camilla, the Queen’s consort, visited Wales for the first time since coming to the throne before returning to London for a vigil at coffin of the queen with her brothers and sister.
The couple were in Cardiff for a special service on the next leg of a Home Nations tour following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, following trips to Northern Ireland and Scotland.
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Later, the king is expected to hold a 15-minute vigil around his mother’s coffin at 7.30pm, along with the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex.
It comes a day after the Prince and Princess of Wales visited a sea of flowers left for the Queen at the gates of Sandringham House in Norfolk, where Prince William told a mourner it was difficult to walk behind the coffin on Wednesday from the queen to the state. , and reminded him of the funeral of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
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Video: Charles in Wales
King Charles attends the prayer service on his first visit to Wales as monarch
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King at Cardiff Castle: Mostly cheering, some booing
A person holds a sign during a protest outside Cardiff Castle on the day of the visit of Britain’s King Charles
/ REUTERS
Amid cheers as Charles and Camilla arrived by motorcade at Cardiff Castle after their visit to the Senedd, anti-monarchy protesters could be heard being booed as they held signs reading “We want a democracy, a republic Welsh”.
Although intended to be a silent protest by various groups under the Real Democracy Now banner, the demonstration also erupted at times in singing led by members of Cor Cochion, a Cardiff-based socialist choir.
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Charles III at Cardiff Castle
The king will spend Friday afternoon meeting the public and attending a reception for local charities.
Britain’s King Charles III waves as he arrives to visit Cardiff Castle
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King arrives at Cardiff Castle
Britain’s King Charles III waves as he arrives to visit Cardiff Castle
/ AFP via Getty Images1663333995
david beckham
Yes, it could be him!
Here’s more on the news that David Beckham is queuing up with the public to see lie in state.
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Charles heads to the Welsh Senedd
King Charles III speaks after receiving a motion of condolence at the Senedd in Cardiff
/ PA
The king said: “Throughout all the years of her reign, the land of Wales could not be closer to my mother’s heart.
“I know he took great pride in your great accomplishments, though he also felt for you deeply in times of great pain.
“Without a doubt it must be counted as the greatest achievement to belong to a land that inspired so much devotion.
“I am determined to honor this very example in the spirit of the words I always try to live my own life by – Ich dien – I Serve.”
He added: “I take up my new duties with immense gratitude for the privilege of serving as Prince of Wales.
“That ancient title which dates from the time of those great Welsh rulers… Now I pass to my son William whose love for this corner of the Earth is made greater by the years he himself has spent here “.
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Comment: King Charles III is a man of faith, a leader and a great convener
King Charles III and the Queen consort leave Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff, following a service of prayer and reflection for the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
/ Wire PA
An opinion piece on the legacy of King Charles III.
“Now that Her Majesty has passed, it is Charles’ head that carries the heavy crown. Just days into the role, he has already steadied the ship with his thoughtful speeches and heartfelt televised address. He has also won plaudits for his composure, although a leaking pen caused him to understandably let his guard down.”
Read the full piece here.
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Liz Truss to meet world leaders at funeral
Liz Truss will meet a number of world leaders including US President Joe Biden, Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when they visit Britain for the Queen’s funeral.
Downing Street on Friday detailed the confirmed clashes so far for the Prime Minister this weekend, ahead of the state funeral.
He will meet privately with his Australian and New Zealand counterparts, Anthony Albanese and Jacinda Ardern, at the government’s Chevening country residence on Saturday, a Number 10 spokesman said.
He will meet with Martin, Trudeau, Polish President Andrzej Duda and Biden in Downing Street on Sunday.
Mrs Truss has met Mr Biden as foreign secretary, but this will be their first meeting since becoming prime minister.
It will take place against a backdrop of disputes over the Northern Ireland Protocol and difficulties for a trade deal with the White House.
The protocol is also likely to feature when he speaks to Mr Martin amid strained relations between the two countries over post-Brexit deals.
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The queue moves again after a 40 minute break
Members of the public queuing in Southwark Park
/ PA
The public queue to attend the Queen’s lie in state has moved again after a 40-minute break when it reached capacity.
However, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has urged mourners not to join the line until at least 4pm on Friday.
Officials stopped people from fully joining the queue at around 11.35am at the entrance to Southwark Park, south-east London, due to overwhelming demand.
Helena Larsen, 76, just missed out on instant entry, but said she was prepared to wait despite recovering from a back injury.
Mrs Larsen, from Chertsey, Surrey, told the PA news agency: “We literally got here and it was closed in front of us.”
Asked if she was prepared to wait for the line to reopen, she said: “I don’t know what else to do. There are no other access points.”
“I think since there are only a few of us, we should be allowed in,” he added.
“I broke my back a few months ago. It’s a long walk, even this far.”
As Ms. Larsen spoke to PA, the crowd around the entrance began to swell.
He was allowed to join the line about 40 minutes later.
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Is David Beckham in line?
He’s a sports king, but apparently there’s no red carpet service for David Beckham.
The former England No.7, or someone who looks a lot like him, has been spotted among the commoners in the long 14-hour queue, and the image has been shared on Twitter.
Is this really the man himself? There’s plenty of time to grab an autograph!