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Prince William, the Prince of Wales, has told Commonwealth troops the Queen will be "looking down" on her funeral service.

William and his wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, visited Army Training Centre Pirbright in Surrey on Friday afternoon where they spoke with military personnel from Australia, Canada and New Zealand participating in the procession on Monday.

Speaking to Commonwealth troops, who have been rehearsing this week, the pair also told of how "strange" it has been going from the Queen's Platinum Jubilee to her funeral in a matter of months.

William, talking with troops from Australia, was heard saying the difference between the celebrations in June and the funeral preparations shows "the highs and lows of it all".

Meanwhile, Kate, who was speaking with Canadian military personnel, said: "Going from that (the Jubilee) to this in a few months is very strange."

She was also heard discussing "lack of sleep" with the troops.

William was heard speaking with troops from the New Zealand Defence Force about how the Queen would be keeping an eye on Monday's proceedings.

Greg Gifford, 31, told the PA News agency: "One of the key things I took away from what he said was how the Queen will definitely be looking down on the whole funeral service.

"He said she would be interested in the detail of the soldiers, how the drill is carried out, its precision, our dress, things like that."

The couple also watched a traditional haka performed by 25 troops from the New Zealand Defence Force.

There were 64 members of the Canadian Armed Forces and 28 members of the Australian Defence Force at the centre.

The troops are in the UK because they are involved in the procession during Monday's service, alongside British soldiers.

They are being accommodated at Pirbright until the funeral and are rehearsing their roles in the ceremony, with practice marches occurring across the site.

© PAA 2022

The tens of thousands of people queuing to file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth have been warned that it will take up to 24 hours to reach the building, and that temperatures overnight were expected to be cold.

People of all ages and from all walks of life have paid their respects to the late Queen, joining a well-organised line that stretches along the south bank of the Thames then over the river to parliament's Westminster Hall.

Such has been the demand that by mid-morning organisers decided the line was too long and urged people to stay away - a testimony to the respect and affection for the Queen, who died in Scotland on September 8 at the age of 96 after a 70-year reign

Despite the warning - repeated across local rail stations - people continued to flood into Southwark Park to join the back of the queue, many in high spirits.

In contrast, those who emerged from the lying-in-state were quiet, reflective and a little stiff.

"I've no sensation in my knees at all or my legs," said Hyacinth Appah, a mourner from London who was in the queue.

"But it's been fine. Most of the people have been lovely and we've had quite a nice time."

About 750,000 people are expected to file past the Queen's coffin ahead of the state funeral on Monday.

Reuben Fevrier, a 50-year-old accountant from London, said he wanted to celebrate the Queen's service and stoicism while 29-year-old Naomi Brown said she had so much respect for the Queen because "not once did she ever falter".

"This is the least I can do," Fevrier said.

Later on Friday, King Charles and his sister Princess Anne and brothers Princes Andrew and Edward will keep a silent vigil around the coffin, joining the ceremonial guard for a 15-minute period.

The coffin stands in the ancient Westminster Hall on a purple-clad catafalque, draped in the Royal Standard and with the bejewelled Imperial State Crown placed on top.

Soldiers in ceremonial uniform and other officials are keeping vigil around it as people walk past to pay homage after their long wait.

Many have been in tears and others have saluted or bowed their heads.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in London for the funeral, was among those who visited Westminster Hall on Friday, stopping to curtsy as she filed past the coffin.

Former England football captain David Beckham looked tearful as he waited to file past the coffin, having queued for more than 13 hours on his own, snacking on crisps, sweets and donuts.

"Something like this today is meant to be shared together," he said, wearing a dark suit and flat cap.

London's police force said the funeral will be the biggest security operation it has ever undertaken as prime ministers, presidents and royals come together to pay their respects.

The force has been preparing for possibilities ranging from terrorism threats to protests and crowd crushes, senior police official Stuart Cundy told reporters.

US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the leaders of Canada and Jamaica will join the emperor of Japan among the congregation.

"We have been overwhelmed by the tide of emotion that has engulfed us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect to such a very special and unique person," Prince Edward, her youngest son, said in a statement.

King Charles, who acceded to the throne on his mother's death, earlier on Friday visited Wales, the last stage of a tour of the United Kingdom to acknowledge his status as the new monarch and head of state and to greet the public.

Charles and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, attended a service at Cardiff's Llandaff Cathedral service then talked with cheering well-wishers outside.

Speaking at the Welsh parliament, Charles said: "Through all the years of her reign, the land of Wales could not have been closer to my mother's heart. I know she took immense pride in your many great achievements - even as she also felt with you deeply in time of sorrow."

"I am resolved to honour that selfless example," he said, speaking in Welsh and English.

There were a few anti-monarchy protesters outside Cardiff Castle, where Charles met Welsh First Minster Mark Drakeford.

© RAW 2022

King Charles and his siblings have stood vigil by the coffin of their late mother Queen Elizabeth as tens of thousands of mourners queuing to pay their final respects during her lying in state were told they face a wait of up to 24 hours.

Charles, Princess Anne, Princes Andrew and Edward, attired in military uniforms, stood in silence with their heads bowed for the 15-minute vigil at Westminster Hall where the coffin of the late monarch has been lying since Wednesday.

Most of the other members of the royal family, including some of the Queen's great-grandchildren, watched from a gallery.

Tens of thousands of people of all ages and from all walks of life have already filed past the coffin in a constant, solemn stream to pay tribute to the Queen, who died in Scotland on September 8 at the age of 96 after a 70-year reign

Despite the warning of how long it would take to reach the building, mourners continued to join a well-organised line that stretches along the south bank of the Thames then over the river to parliament's Westminster Hall, knowing their wait would last through the night when temperatures were forecast to be cold.

"We have been overwhelmed by the tide of emotion that has engulfed us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect to such a very special and unique person," Prince Edward, the Queen's youngest son, said in a statement.

Rosie Beddows, 57, from Sussex, had queued with her husband and son, and happened to pass by the coffin when it was being guarded by the royal family.

"It was absolutely amazing, so moving, so beautiful. It was an incredibly long day but we saw the King," she said, sounding elated.

"I can't believe it. I think he's going to be a brilliant King."

Despite the warning of lengthy queues - repeated across local rail stations - people had flooded into Southwark Park to join the line, many in high spirits.

In contrast, those who emerged from the lying-in-state were quiet, reflective, and a little stiff.

Among their number was former England football captain David Beckham who looked tearful as he waited to file past the coffin, having queued for more than 13 hours on his own, snacking on crisps, sweets and donuts.

"We were all here celebrating her majesty today and it didn't matter how long we were there," said Beckham, wearing a dark suit and flat cap.

"We were there for a reason. And everyone was together. It was a special few hours."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in London for the funeral, was another of those who visited Westminster Hall on Friday, stopping to curtsy as she filed past the coffin.

The oak casket stands on a purple-clad catafalque, draped in the Royal Standard and with the bejewelled Imperial State Crown placed on top.

Soldiers in ceremonial uniform and other officials are keeping vigil around it as people walk past to pay homage after their long wait.

Many have been in tears and others have saluted or bowed their heads.

About 750,000 people are expected to file past the coffin ahead of the state funeral on Monday which presidents, prime ministers, royalty and other world leaders are due to attend.

US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the leaders of Canada and Jamaica will join the emperor of Japan among the congregation.

London's police force said the funeral would be the biggest security operation it has ever undertaken.

The force has been preparing for possibilities ranging from terrorism threats to protests and crowd crushes, senior police official Stuart Cundy told reporters.

Charles, who acceded to the throne on his mother's death, earlier on Friday visited Wales, the last stage of a tour of the United Kingdom to acknowledge his status as the new monarch and head of state and to greet the public.

Charles and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, attended a service at Cardiff's Llandaff Cathedral then talked with cheering well-wishers outside.

There were a few anti-monarchy protesters outside Cardiff Castle, where Charles met Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Later, the new King returned to London to meet faith leaders at Buckingham Palace where he said he was determined to be "sovereign of all communities".

As monarch and Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Charles holds the title "Defender of the Faith" but he said he his saw his role as stretching beyond his own strong Christian beliefs, and that he had a duty to protect diversity.

© RAW 2022