Who’s who at Westminster Abbey? Royals turn out in force

King Charles III was supported by his wife, children and extended family as he led mourners at his mother’s funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday. 

The Queen’s children, grandchildren and two of her great-grandchildren were among the 2,000 mourners who gathered to pay their respects. 

They were joined by the Queen’s cousins and their families, as well as the descendants of the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret. 

All members of the Royal Family were given seats at the front of Westminster Abbey, with the first row taken up by Prince Charles, the Queen Consort, and the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, nine, and Princess Charlotte, seven. 

Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, Peter Phillips and Zara and Mike Tindall were also on the front row. 

Here, FEMAIL gives a who’s who guide of the Royal Family at Westminster Abbey…  

1. King Charles III: The Queen’s son today leads the nation in mourning his mother, who died last week aged 96. The King looked emotional as he marched behind Her Majesty’s coffin in the funeral procession. The congregation sang God Save The King in his honour. 

2. Camilla, Queen Consort: By the King’s side was his wife, Camilla, Queen Consort. She has been unwavering in her support of her husband in the days since his mother’s death. Before her death, the Queen made clear her wish for Camilla to use the title of Queen Consort.

3. Princess Anne: The Queen’s daughter has put on a stoic display in the days since her mother’s death. She was given the task of accompanying her mother’s coffin from Edinburgh to London, following a period of mourning in Scotland. The Princess Royal joined her brother’s to stand vigil and is the only woman to take part in the procession.

4. Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence: The 67-year-old retired Royal Navy Vice Admiral, husband of the Princess Royal, is an unsung hero of the Royal Family who stays largely out of the spotlight. Today he joined his wife and brothers-in-law in the procession behind Her Majesty’s coffin. 

5. Prince Andrew: The Duke of York has played a key role in events since the Queen’s death, despite no longer being a working member of the Royal Family. He has taken part in two vigils and today joined the procession to Westminster Abbey before the funeral, and to Wellington Arch following the service. 

6. Prince Edward: The Queen’s youngest child Prince Edward was today joined by his wife the Countess of Wessex and children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, for the funeral. He is expected to be given a new title following the death of the Queen. 

7. The Countess of Wessex: The Countess of Wessex, 57, was famously close to her mother-in-law and was described as her ‘rock’ and her ‘second daughter’. Sophie has made a number of appearances in the last week, including speaking to well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace. She also observed her children taking part in the vigil on Saturday night. 

8. Prince William: Prince William, the Prince of Wales, is now heir to the throne following the death of his grandmother the Queen. He has spoken movingly of the important role the Queen played in his life, and thanked her for the support she gave him and his family. 

9. Prince George: Prince George, nine, is now second-in-line to the throne. The Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly decided to bring their son in order to send a symbol of the strength of the British monarchy. Three generations of royals were in attendance today. 

10. The Princess of Wales: Kate, the Princess of Wales, arrived for the funeral with her children George, nine, and Charlotte, seven. She paid tribute to the monarch by wearing her pearl necklace and drop earrings for the funeral. The Princess of Wales has been steadfast in her support of her husband in the days since his grandmother’s death.

11. Princess Charlotte: Seven-year-old Princess Charlotte was on her very best behaviour as she joined her brother and parents for the funeral today. The young princess wore a horseshoe pin on her black dress which was reportedly given to her by her great-grandmother the Queen. 

12. Peter Phillips: The Queen’s grandson Peter Phillips has been given a prominent role in proceedings and joined his cousins William and Harry in walking behind the Queen’s coffin. He also stood vigil at Westminster Hall on Saturday night. 

13. Zara Tindall: The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall attended the funeral with her husband Mike Tindall. She has been seen as an ally to her cousin Prince Harry, who is attending with his wife the Duchess of Sussex. 

14. Mike Tindall: The former England rugby ace is married to Zara Tindall. He has attended a number of events during the mourning period, including taking his daughters to see the Queen’s coffin lying-in-state. 

15. Prince Harry: The Queen’s grandson the Duke of Sussex, who lives in California, has attended a string of royal engagements this week, including the funeral and the high profile procession to Westminster Hall last week. The Duke of Sussex was permitted to wear military uniform for the vigil but is in civilian dress today, although he has his medals displayed. 

16. The Duchess of Sussex: Prince Harry’s wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has joined her husband at the funeral today. She put on a demure display in a black dress and black hat. 

17. Princess Beatrice: The daughter of Prince Andrew and the Duke of York has paid tribute to her grandmother. She stood vigil over Her Majesty’s coffin this weekend. 

18. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi: The husband of Princess Beatrice who paid tribute to the Queen in the days after her death, saying how grateful he was that she had spent time with his two children. 

19. Lady Louise Windsor: The daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex enjoyed a close relationship with the Queen, partially due to their shared love of horses. She wore a horse pendant today in recognition. Lady Louise joined her brother and cousins to stand vigil over the Queen’s coffin. 

20. James, Viscount Severn: The Queen’s youngest grandchild, James, Viscount Severn, is only 14 years old but has stepped up to take a prominent role in the events leading up to the funeral.

21. Jack Brooksbank: The husband of Princess Eugenie has been seen on a number of occasions since the death of the Queen and today supported his wife as she said goodbye to her grandmother. 

22. Princess Eugenie: The youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York joined her sister to pay tribute to their beloved ‘Grannie’ and spoke about how much they will miss her. 

23. Sarah, Duchess of York: In a mark of reconciliation, the Duchess of York was invited to the Queen’s funeral despite being divorced from Prince Andrew. She described the Queen as ‘more of a mother than her own mother’.

24. The Earl of Snowdon:  David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl Snowdon, is the only son of Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl Snowdon. The furniture designer enjoyed a close relationship with the Queen and used to holiday with the Royal Family as a child.

25. Charles Armstrong-Jones: The 22-year-old son of the Second Earl of Snowdon, David Armstrong-Jones, was the third grandchild of Princess Margaret.

26. Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones: The Earl of Snowdon’s daughter Margarita Armstrong-Jones is also likely to attend. Lord Snowdon and her mother, Serena Armstrong-Jones, Countess of Snowdon, divorced in 2020.

27. Samuel Chatto: The eldest of Lady Sarah Chatto’s children, youthful-looking Samuel, 25, is potter and artist and a hit on Instagram with 86,000 followers.

28. Arthur Chatto: Sporty Arthur Chatto, who is a member of the Royal Marines and used to work as a personal trainer. 

29. Lady Sarah Chatto: The Queen and Prince Philip’s much-loved niece Sarah Chatto was born in 1964 — the last royal baby born at a palace rather than a hospital — within weeks of cousins Prince Edward, Lady Helen Windsor and James Ogilvy. She is known to have had a close relationship with the Queen.

30. Daniel Chatto: The husband of Lady Sarah accompanied his wife and their two children.

31. Duchess of Gloucester: The Dutch-born Duchess married Prince Richard in 1972 and is a full-time working member of the Royal Family. She shares three children with the Duke – none of whom undertake official duties.

32. Duke of Gloucester: The Duke is the youngest grandchild of King George V and Queen Mary and a paternal cousin of the Queen. He carries out duties on behalf of the royal family and is patron of many societies.

33. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent: Edward is the son of George VI’s brother and is a first cousin of Her Majesty. The Duke is involved with over 140 different charities, organisations and professional bodies on behalf of the Royal Family.

34. George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews: The Earl of St Andrews, a former diplomat, is the elder son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and his wife, Katharine, Duchess of Kent. The 59-year-old father-of-four will likely attend with his wife Sylvana Tomaselli.

35. Sylvana Tomaselli:  Wife of the Earl of St Andrews, Canadian-born academic and historian Sylvana Tomaselli, a lecturer at Cambridge University.

36. Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick: The 33-year-old is the brother of Lady Amelia Windsor, son of George Windsor and Sylvana Tomaselli. Edward, or ‘Eddy’ as he’s referred to by friends and family, works as a fashion designer, having ditched a former career in the City

37. Lady Marina Windsor: Daughter of George Windsor, Lady Marina keeps a lower public profile than her two siblings but does join the Royal Family for high profile events like weddings and funerals. 

38. Lady Amelia Windsor: Glamorous Lady Amelia, Prince Harry and Prince William’s third cousin, is a fashionista who is often seen on the front row and is an avid Instagram user.

39. Earl of Ulster: Alexander Windsor attended Prince Philip’s memorial service last year. He is the son of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and joined his sisters and parents at the event.

40. Countess of Ulster: Dr Claire Booth, the Countess of Ulster, a consultant paediatrician.

41. Lord Culloden: The son of the Earl and Countess of Ulster. 

42. Lady Cosima Windsor: The daughter of the Earl and Countess of Ulster.

43. Lady Davina Windsor: Lady Davina is the elder daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. She is 34th in the line of succession to the British throne as of September 2022.

44. Sienna Lewis: The daughter of Lady Davina Windsor and her ex-husband Gary Lewis

45. Lady Helen Taylor: A peripheral royal happy to lead a life largely under the radar, Lady Helen is the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent.

46. Timothy Taylor: Timothy Taylor is the art dealer husband of Lady Helen Taylor.

47. Estella Taylor: The daughter of Timothy Taylor and Lady Helen Taylor.

48. Eloise Taylor: The daughter of Timothy Taylor and Lady Helen Taylor.

49. Columbus Taylor: The son of Timothy Taylor and Lady Helen Taylor.

50. Cassius Taylor: The son of Timothy Taylor and Lady Helen Taylor.

51. George Gilman: Husband of Lady Rose Gilman 

52. Lady Rose Gilman: The daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Lady Rose, 42, does not undertake royal duties. She worked in the art department on the film adaptation of Harry Potter. 

53. Lyla Gilman: The daughter of Lady Rose Gilman and George Gilman.

54. Sophie Winkleman: Sophie Winkleman, 41, who is the half sister of TV presenter Claudia Winkleman famously starred as Big Suze in Peep Show.

55. Lord Frederick Windsor: Lord Freddie is the son of the Queen’s first cousin Prince Michael of Kent and 53rd in line to the throne.

56. Princess Michael of Kent: The wife of the Queen’s cousin Prince Michael of Kent. 

57. Prince Michael of Kent: The Queen’s cousin, Prince Michael of Kent attended the King’s accession on Monday and is likely to attend the funeral.

A King’s tears for his beloved mother: Charles wells up as he stares at The Queen’s coffin during emotional Westminster Abbey funeral service as bagpiper plays solemn lament and royals unite for emotional farewell

A tearful King Charles III and his grief-stricken family surrounded the Queen’s coffin at her state funeral in Westminster Abbey in a moving and majestic farewell to the late monarch today in an extraordinary service followed by a national two minute’s silence and the Last Post.

Her Majesty made her final and saddest journey from Westminster Hall to the church where she married and was crowned as Britain mourned its longest-serving monarch and the royals bade goodbye to a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Her coffin was placed close to the altar with her crown, orb and sceptre on its top surrounded by flowers chosen by the King from gardens she loved.  A card in the flowers on top of the coffin read simply: “In loving and devoted memory. Charles R.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury hailed the Queen’s ‘abundant life and loving service’ as he delivered the sermon at her state funeral, adding: ‘She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.’

State trumpeters from the Household Cavalry sounded the Last Post following the Archbishop of Canterbury’s commendation over the Queen’s coffin and a blessing pronounced by the Dean of Westminster. Two minute’s silence followed across the country before Reveille was sounded by the trumpeters before the National Anthem was sung by the congregation.

King Charles III looked tearful at points of the service while his sister Princess Anne looked at him with concern and care before fixing her own stare on her mother’s coffin and crown. Prince Andrew looked moved – having been fighting back tears as the family marched behind the Queen’s coffin through Parliament Square.

The monarch sat at the head of the family next to Princess Anne, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex behind him in the second row, after more than a week leading the monarchy and the nation in mourning his mother the Queen. 

Prince William, who marched with his brother behind the coffin, was on the front row next to Prince George, who was reading the order of service during the Archbishop of Canterbury’s sermon, before singing hymns, while Princess Charlotte was seen whispering to her mother, who with William decided to bring them to say goodbye to their great-grandmother.

The King looked very emotional during the singing of the national anthem at Westminster Abbey. Charles remained silent during the song, while his siblings and members of the royal family sang along. Gripping his ceremonial sword, Charles looked downcast as he started straight ahead while a piper played Sleep, Dearie, Sleep.

The UK’s most important church, packed with 2,000 VIPs including prime ministers, presidents and the Queen’s family, was serene aside from the sound of hymns and prayers in a funeral service Her Majesty has curated herself before she died.

On an highly emotional occasion for Britain and the world, the Queen was carried in her oak coffin to the gun carriage used by her parents and was followed through Parliament Square by her son, the King, and her relatives including the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex. Andrew, the Duke of York, appeared to be crying. Outside the Abbey an estimated 2million people are in central London along procession routes and watching on big screens.

The Queen’s funeral drew to a close with a lament played by The Sovereign’s piper and her coffin has been carried from Westminster Abbey to be placed on the State Gun Carriage.

The strains of the lament, ‘Sleep, dearie, sleep’, could still be heard echoing through the abbey as the piper walked off.

Shortly after, as the organist played Bach’s Fantasia in C minor, soldiers of the bearer party entered from the South Quire Aisle.

As the bearers moved slowly through the abbey to place the coffin once more on the gun carriage, they were followed in procession to the Great West Door by The King and Queen Consort along with other members of the Royal Family.

The State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin began its funeral procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey at around 10.45am, arriving just before 11am. A single toll from Big Ben signalled the start of the service at Westminster Abbey, where kings and queens have been crowned and buried since 1066. Her Majesty will be laid to rest at Windsor next to her beloved husband Prince Philip and her parents, George VI and the Queen Mother.

Despite the huge crowds, there was absolute silence as around 200 pipers and drummers of Scottish and Irish Regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas and RAF played as the procession went through Parliament Square. The Queen’s own piper played a lament that echoed through the heart of London.

Walking behind the carriage were the King and his siblings, followed by the Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex and Peter Phillips. The State Gun Carriage has also been previously used for the funerals of King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, Winston Churchill, and Lord Mountbatten.

There was complete silence from the crowd close to Parliament Square, as the State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin slowly moved past. The crowd, momentarily still and with phones held aloft to capture the moment, was around 10-people thick in places, as tens of thousands thronged the streets to say goodbye to the monarch and witness a moment of history.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte travelled to Westminster Abbey in the same car as the Queen Consort, with the Princess of Wales arriving with them. They arrived at the church shortly after some of the Queen’s grandchildren including Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

World leaders including Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron arrived at Westminster Abbey around an hour before the service began. The congregation of 2,000 sat in solemn silence as Her Majesty arrived. 

State trumpeters from the Household Cavalry have sounded the Last Post following the Archbishop of Canterbury’s commendation over the Queen’s coffin and a blessing pronounced by the Dean.

Two minute’s silence followed across the country before Reveille was sounded by the trumpeters. The National Anthem is now being sung by the congregation.

In his sermon at the state funeral of the Queen, the Archbishop of Canterbury has told mourners the ‘grief’ felt around the world over her death ‘arises from her abundant life and loving service’, adding: ‘She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.’

The Most Rev Justin Welby said: ‘People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer. But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are forgotten. The grief of this day – felt not only by the late Queen’s family but all round the nation, Commonwealth and world – arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone from us.’

He added: ‘We will all face the merciful judgement of God: we can all share the Queen’s hope which in life and death inspired her servant leadership. Service in life, hope in death. All who follow the Queen’s example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: ‘We will meet again.”

The Dean of Windsor gave the bidding, ahead of the first hymn, ‘The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended’, written by John Ellerton, and which evokes the image of one day, one era, leading into another.

He told the congregation: ‘Here, where Queen Elizabeth was married and crowned, we gather from across the nation, from the Commonwealth, and from the nations of the world, to mourn our loss, to remember her long life of selfless service, and in sure confidence to commit her to the mercy of God our maker and redeemer.’

The Bidding will be followed by Baroness Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, delivering the First Lesson in tribute to The Queen’s lifetime of dedication and service to the family of nations.

The Lesson is taken from Corinthians 15, and includes the line, ‘O death, where is thy sting?’.

The wreath which adorns the Queen’s coffin includes flowers requested by King Charles.

Cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House, the flowers and foliage have been chosen for their symbolism.

They include rosemary, for remembrance, and myrtle cut from a plant which was grown from a sprig of myrtle in the Queen’s wedding bouquet. Myrtle is an ancient symbol of a happy marriage.

Also included are English oak to symbolise the strength of love, pelargoniums, garden roses, autumnal hydrangea, sedum, dahlias and scabious.

These are in shades of gold, pink and deep burgundy, with touches of white, to reflect the Royal Standard.

There were cheers and clapping as Prince William, the Princess of Wales and their children George and Charlotte were swept into Parliament Square. King Charles III and Queen Consort, Camilla arrived minutes later.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled down The Mall with a police escort. Harry was seen looking sombre as he was driven in a Range Rover from Wellington Arch, down Constitution Hill and on The Mall towards St James’ Palace. 

He then stood side by side with his brother, before the royals  entered Westminster Hall, where the Queen had been lying in state. 

The UK’s most important church began filling up from 8am as the congregation arrived up to three hours early – including Kate Middleton’s parents – as huge crowds of mourners packed the procession route outside and tens of thousands more went to Windsor, where Her Majesty will be buried later.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte travelled to Westminster Abbey in the same car as the Queen Consort, with the Princess of Wales arriving with them. They arrived at the church shortly after some of the Queen’s grandchildren including Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Michael and Carole Middleton were among hundreds of VIPs who arrived at the UK’s most important church – where Her Majesty married Prince Philip and had her coronation.

2,000 royals, world leaders and hundreds of members of the public have began filing into the Abbey as billions around the world will watch Her Majesty’s state funeral. 

Most of the VIPs arrived by coach, meeting at the Royal Hospital Chelsea before being put on a bus into Central London. Britain’s ministers – past and present – were among the first arrivals including Nadham Zahawi, Ben Wallace and Jacob Rees-Mogg. But US President Jo Biden went to the Abbey in The Beast – his bomb-proof limousine. 

Michael and Carole Middleton, the parents of Kate, the Princess of Wales, arrived two hours early for the service, followed by Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Consort, Camilla. They were also on a bus together – despite their close links to the Royal Family. Celebrities at the funeral include TV personality Bear Grylls.

Funeral flowers in the abbey featured myrtle – which was used in the Queen’s wedding bouquet as is royal tradition. The huge white and green displays of blooms included asiatic lilies, gladioli, alstroemeria, eustoma and foliage of English oak, weeping birch and the sprigs of myrtle.

Around the coffin will stand the four tall yellow candles which usually rest around the grave of the unknown warrior at the entrance to the historic church.

And outside hardy royal fans defied no-camping rules, as people of all ages set up tents, deck chairs and even a makeshift minibar to grab premium seats for the spectacle that will see 2million flood into the capital. By 8.30am member of the public were told that the procession route was full and began diverting people to Hyde Park to watch on the big screens.

The doors of Westminster Abbey opened at 8am, ahead of the arrival of the first mourners for the funeral of the Queen. The King’s Guards trooped through the gates of Abbey, with two soldiers stationed at the metal gates awaiting the start of proceedings.

Amid concerns that London will be ‘full’ today – and a lack of hotel rooms – scores of people began bedding in to line The Mall in central London over the weekend, despite rules – seemingly loosely enforced – preventing people from setting up camp.

This morning, before dawn, stewards told campers to take down their tents. Huge crowds have also formed in Windsor, where the Queen will be buried this evening.

Several who slept in central London overnight said friends and family told them they were ‘mad’ to carry out the overnight vigil, but insisted they would not miss the occasion.

Among them were school friends Christine Manning, 75, and Dianne Donohue, 73, from Leek in Staffordshire, who slept in a pop-up tent.

Mrs Donohoe, a retired housewife and grandmother-of-three, said: ‘Yes, the advice was not to camp but we disobeyed. We’ve had a good catch-up, we’ve enjoyed it.

‘We were sleeping in the tent and at 4.30am I woke up and asked Chris if she was awake, she was, so we had a whisky and lemonade and a pork pie. A couple more hours’ sleep, then onto the prosecco.

‘We had to take our tent down at 7am because the police told us to, but we couldn’t do it, so we had to get some lad to help us.

‘We’re out of pork pies sadly but we’ve got sausage rolls, and we’ve got some gin now the whisky’s run out – we’re chipper.’

Miss Manning, a retired waitress, added: ‘My kids said we were mad.

‘Well, ‘mental’ is the word they used. They said we were idiots for doing this.

‘I said it had to be done.’

Among those at the top of the Long Walk were Windsor Castle warden Shannon Carroll, 27, and her pals Samantha Geraghty, 24, and Heidi, 26, who declined to give her surname.

Shannon told MailOnline they had arrived at 6am after getting up at 4am to walk from nearby Maidenhead where they all live.

She added:’I’m here to pay my respects to an incredible woman who also happens to be my boss. I’ve worked at the Castle for five years and it’s the least I can do.

‘The Queen was a great employer and an inspirational leader. I don’t think we will ever see anyone like her again.’

Shannon said:’I queued up for 12 hours overnight Friday into Saturday and that was a very poignant and sombre experience.

‘It was incredibly quiet and still but it was at the same time very respectful and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.’

Heidi said:’We are prepared for the day with snacks and drinks and it looks like it will stay dry. We will have a great view of the procession as it comes up the Long Walk and goes into the castle.

‘When we go here there were quite a few people here already but up the front where we are was surprisingly empty. I think we have the best spot to see history in the making.’

Samantha said: ‘It was an early start but well worth it. We will have a great view but we will have to watch the funeral service itself on our phones as we can’t see the big screens.’

The Mall was a frenzy of activity yesterday, as people arrived to lay flowers nearby, get a glimpse of Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade, and bag their vantage points for the funeral procession as it makes its way from Westminster to Windsor.

Tim Thompson, 35, from New Brunswick in Canada, and Charlie Shirley, 36, from north London, also slept in a tent on the Mall.

The pair became friends after being sat next to each other for William and Kate’s wedding in 2011, and resumed their same spot together on Saturday.

Miss Shirley said: ‘We do all the royal events together, it’s like we’re a family.

‘I saw Tim at the Queen’s Jubilee and we said that the next time we see each other would probably be at the Queen’s funeral – we didn’t expect it to be three months later.’

Mr Thompson said: ‘I keep four days’ holiday a year for royal events, so I had to be here.’

American businesswoman Nicole Alford, 40, paid around £1,300 for a last-minute flight to London on Thursday, and said she would camp out until after the funeral.

She said: ‘You don’t come all this way and then watch it on the TV. I want a front-seat of history.

‘My mom said: ‘I can’t believe you’re doing that.’

‘I said: ‘I can’t believe you didn’t think I would do that.’

‘Everybody thinks I’m crazy, but I managed five-and-a-half hours’ uninterrupted sleep on my first night camping out here, so I’m fine.’

Semi-retired teacher Ian Rhodes, 66, and his wife Sue, 58, from Alton in Staffordshire, arrived at the Mall at 11am yesterday (SUN) to claim their spot – although they said they would sleep in deckchairs rather than pitch a tent.

Mr Rhodes said: ‘The only other time I’ve queued overnight for anything was when Stoke City got to Wembley for the cup final in 1972, and I waited overnight at the club shop with my friends to get tickets.

‘People have said we’re mad, but sanity is relative.’

Mrs Rhodes said the couple’s two adult sons were a bit concerned about their parents ‘roughing it’ overnight in London, but said: ‘I told them we were going to do it anyway – when has their mother ever done what she was told?’

Paulette Galley, from Boston in Lincolnshire, said she was determined to stay on The Mall overnight.

The 54-year-old kitchen assistant, originally from south London, said: ‘I might not get any sleep but I don’t care. She was my Queen, and I want to pay my respects to her.

‘There is no way I wouldn’t be here.’