Lying in State - United Kingdom

United Kingdom

See also: Vigil of the Princes

In state and ceremonial funerals in the United Kingdom, the lying-in-state takes place in Westminster Hall. The coffin is placed on a catafalque and is guarded, around the clock, by detachments each of four men from the following units:

  • Sovereign's Bodyguard
    • Her Majesty's Bodyguard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms
    • The Queen's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard
    • The Royal Company of Archers, The Queen's Bodyguard for Scotland
  • Household Cavalry
    • The Life Guards
    • The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons)
  • Foot Guards
    • Grenadier Guards
    • Coldstream Guards
    • Scots Guards
    • Irish Guards
    • Welsh Guards

Each unit mans the guard for a total of six hours, with each detachment standing post for twenty minutes. The four men stand at each corner with heads bowed and weapons inverted and their backs are turned towards the coffin.

On two occasions, the guard has been mounted by four male members of the Royal Family. At the lying in state of King George V in 1936, the guard was mounted by his four sons King Edward VIII, the Duke of York, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent. For Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's lying-in-state in 2002, the guard was mounted by her four grandsons the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex and Viscount Linley.

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