Hundreds flock to Windsor Castle to see Queen's resting place
It's the first time the public can view where Queen Elizabeth II is buried.
Last updated 29th Sep 2022
Windsor Castle has re-opened to the public for the first time since the late Queen passed away earlier this month.
Queues have been forming since 7.30am this morning (29 September), with hundreds waiting in line to see the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II, as well as the ledger stone, inscribed with her name at the George VI Memorial Chapel.
Anne Daley, 65, from Cardiff, and Grace Gogharg, from Ghana but who lives in London, were the first people in the queue.
Ms Daley said she felt emotional about entering, adding: "The castle feels like empty, gloomy. Nobody's living in it. You know, you've lost the Queen, you've lost the duke, you lost the corgis.
"It's like when you've sold your house and all the history is gone."
Both Ms Daley and Ms Gogharg had been supporters of the monarchy for a long time.
Ms Daley said: "My father was in the Irish Guards and he did the coronation. So I had an interest from when I was a little girl."
Ms Gogharg added: "I am from the Commonwealth so I knew the Queen before I came here.
"She did a good job as head of the Commonwealth. She was a good woman and a good mother. Everybody loves her."
Inside the grounds of Windsor Castle, the queue into St George's Chapel was long, running the whole way along the outside of the building.
Signs saying "no photography" were plastered on many posts and pillars.
Once inside, the crowd was directed around the walls of the chapel, passing the tombs of other monarchs and the main seating area.
After looping round the front of the building, they entered the back part of the chapel.
There, on the left, in a tomb behind a black railing, lies Queen Elizabeth II.
Her gravestone is black with gold writing and several wreaths with flowers of various colours remain on top and around it.
Members of the public walked slowly past the tomb, but they did not stop, as they had been instructed not to do so by members of staff.
The queue then proceeded slowly through the chapel, past the altar and over tombstones of other previous monarchs.
Windsor Castle was viewed by Her Late Majesty as her home and spent much of the past few years there, along with her late husband, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke passed away last year at the age of 99.
Along with royal residences across the country, the castle became a focal point for the public to pay their respects after The Queen died at the age of 96 on 8 September, with floral tributes piling up outside the gates.
Queen Elizabeth II now lies in rest, alongside her husband, Prince Philip, her parents - King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother - and her sister, Princess Margaret.
Tributes paid to the Queen after her death
Flowers are being laid outside many of the Queen's homes, following her death. Here a family lay flowers outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace the evening after the news of the Queen's death was made public.
Mourners gather at Buckingham Palace placing flowers and paying their respect
Messages on the flowers included this 'Forever our Queen' message
Even the gates of Buckingham palace were adorned with flowers
Books of condolence have been set up in many places across the UK, including this one at Liverpool Cathedral
Birmingham Cathedral also had a space for remembrance
People were queuing to sign the book of condolence in Birmingham
Flowers at the gates of Balmoral in Scotland
Brighton UK 9th September 2022 - A tribute to The Queen at a bus stop in Brighton today after her death at the age of 96 was announced yesterday .
Floral tributes to Queen Elizabeth II at the gate of Buckingham Palace.
London, England, UK. 9th Sep, 2022.
Newmarket, UK. 9 September, 2022. Floral tributes left in memory to Queen Elizabeth II after her death on 8th September on a bronze statue designed by Etienne Millner, which is situated at the Newmarket Racecourse entrance which was a gift from the town in the year of her 90th birthday. Pictured is Matt Hancock Conservative MP, for West Suffolk, with his floral tribute the Queen.
Mourners make their way along the Long Walk to pay their respects at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Union Flag flies at half mast at the City Chambers in Edinburgh, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
John Houston of the Merchant Navy Association pays his respects at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Floral tributes and messages at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Floral tributes and messages at the gates of Sandringham House on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, following the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Minutes of silence before the game to pay respect after the death of Queen Elizabeth II before the UEFA Europa Conference League match at the London Stadium, London.
London, England, 8th September 2022.
Crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II who died on Thursday 8th September.
London, England, UK. 8th Sep, 2022.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie looks at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Floral tributes left at the gates of Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced.
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson looks at floral tributes at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Floral tributes continue to be left outside several locations across the country and the world. Here, on 11th September, at the gates of Buckingham Palace, the crowds continue to gather and leave flowers and other tributes.
Six-year-old Terezka Cernianska leaves flowers at the gates of Balmoral in Scotland, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Large crowds gather to show their respect along the A90, Forfar, as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is taken to Edinburgh.
Floral tributes left next to a fountain in St James' Park outside Buckingham Palace.