This Morning's Holly and Phillip address lying in state 'queue jump'
The pair have explained what happened
After more than 250,000 mourners queued for hours to pay their respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II lying in state last week, including high-profile stars such as David Beckham, James Blunt and Susanna Reid, there was uproar when This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby appeared to 'jump the queue'.
However, following HM Queen Elizabeth II's moving funeral yesterday (Monday 19th September), Holly and Phillip have now addressed the accusations live on air, admitting they did not jump the queue or take anybody else's place in the queue.
During a fitting tribute to Her Majesty at the beginning of today's episode (Tuesday 20th September), footage of the pair filming outside of Westminster Hall appeared, which led to Holly giving a full explanation.
She said: "We were given official permission to access the hall. It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for the millions of people in the UK who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person.
"The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast, those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.
"None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone’s place in the queue and no one filed past the Queen."
Holly then said on behalf of the pair: "We, of course, respected those rules, however, we realise that it may have looked like something else and therefore totally understand the reaction. Please know that we would never jump a queue."
Following the backlash over the weekend, ITV defended the hosts in a statement which read: “We would like to clarify something. We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme.
“They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state - but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event.”
Her Majesty The Queen's funeral in pictures:
The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, as it leaves Westminster Hall for the State Funeral at Westminster Abbey
King Charles III, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex walk behind the coffin as it moves to Westminster Abbey
The State Gun Carriage carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II
Members of the clergy wait for the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II to arrive at Westminster Abbey
King Charles III salutes the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried into Westminster Abbey
King Charles III and the Queen Consort in front of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II during her State Funeral
(front row) King Charles III, the Queen Consort, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Countess of Wessex, (second row) the Duke of Sussex, the Duchess of Sussex, Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Lady Louise Windsor, and (third row) Samuel Chatto, Arthur Chatto, Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto in front of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II
Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby speaking during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
An aerial view of The Queen's coffin as the procession after Her Majesty's funeral makes its way through London
Her Majesty The Queen's coffin during the procession after her funeral in London
The Queen's coffin being pulled along The Mall during the procession after Her Majesty's funeral
Buckingham Palace staff pay their respects as the Queen's coffin and procession pass by following Her Majesty's funeral
The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, in the Ceremonial Procession following her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey.
The Royal family watch as the funeral procession reaches Wellington Arch and Queen Elizabeth II's coffin is transferred from the gun carriage to the state hearse
The Queen's coffin reaches Wellington Arch ahead of the journey to Windsor
The funeral moves to Windsor
The Queen's coffin and funeral procession arriving at Windsor
Crowds gather by the famous Long Walk at Windsor for The Queen's funeral procession
King Charles lll leads The Queen's funeral procession as it arrives at Windsor
The Queen's fell pony, Emma, standing by Her Majesty's funeral procession as it arrives at Windsor
The Royal family at the Queen's Committal service at St George's chapel in Windsor
Arriving at the funeral
Prince George enters Westminster Abbey
The Queen consort, Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at Queen Elizabeth's funeral
Funeral Guests
Former Prime Ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of The Queen's funeral.
Prime Minister Liz Truss arriving at Westminster Abbey for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth ll
US President Joe Biden walks through Westminster Abbey to take his seat at The Queen's funeral.
The Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle, greets US President Joe Biden and Jill Biden ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife arriving at Westminster Abbey for The Queen's funeral
Guests begin to arrive for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey in London.
Ahead of the Funeral
A quiet and still Buckingham Palace ahead of Her Majesty The Queen's state funeral in London
Guests arriving and taking their seats at Westminster Abbey ahead of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Crowds gathering in central London ahead of the funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll
Police officers in central London ahead of the funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll
Orders of Service on seats ahead of the funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, at Westminster Abbey
Before the funeral
On the eve of her funeral, the royal family released a previously unseen photo of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll, that was taken to mark the Monarch's Platinum Jubilee.
Before the funeral the Queen lay in state in Westminster Hall. Thousand of people queued day and night to walk past the coffin and pay their respects.
King Charles, The Princess Royal, The Duke of York and The Earl of Wessex stood vigil around the coffin for a spell on on of the days.
On Saturday 17th September, The Queen's grandchildren, led by Prince William, held a vigil around their grandmother's coffin during her lying-in-state at Westminster Hall.
On Friday 16th September, King Charles lll led a vigil of The Queen's children around their mother's coffin lying-in-state at Westminster Hall
Queen Elizabeth II
There can be little doubt the biggest story of 2022 was the loss of the UK's longest-serving monarch, her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Royal family confirmed the sad news on the evening of 8th September.
Huge numbers of tributes were paid to the late Queen as the country entered into a period of mourning. The new King paid tribute to his 'dear mama' in his first specch as monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin, draped in the Royal Standard, was carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage during the ceremonial procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, London, where Her Majesty lay in state.
As the Queen died at Balmoral in Scotland, her coffin had to be brought back to London, with the RAF flying her back.
After her death, the Queen lay at rest in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh for a day so that people could pay their respects.
King Charles and his siblings stood vigil in the Cathedral.
Just like the rest of the nation, Holly and Phillip have been paying their respects over the last 10 days, following the sad passing of The Queen.
As well as reading out her three children's touching tributes, Holly shared a photo to her Instagram page showing her children laying flowers outside of Buckingham Palace. She wrote: 'Time to reflect and pay our respects… the children wrote the most beautiful words…♥️'. (sic)
Now read:
Quarter of a million file past Queen's coffin
Queen laid to rest with her 'strength and stay' Prince Philip