Crowds gather in London as the Queen leaves Buckingham Palace for the last time

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Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to file past the body of Queen Elizabeth II, which is lying in state at Westminster Hall in London today.

The Queen’s coffin will remain on public display for four days before her state funeral next week on Monday, September 19.

As many as 750,000 mourners are expected to walk through Westminster Hall to pay their final respects, ABC News has reported. As of 5pm, a government tracker said the queue was 4.5 kilometres long.

The Queen’s coffin made its way to Westminster Hall earlier today from Buckingham Palace on a horse-drawn gun carriage.

King Charles III walked directly behind, flanked by other senior royals including his two sons Prince William and Prince Harry.

King Charles III, Prince William and Prince Harry walked behind Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin. Photo: ABC News.

The procession route took the coffin from Buckingham Palace through the Queen’s Gardens, up The Mall, along Horse Guards Road and through Horse Guards Arch.

It then turned south at Whitehall, down Parliament Street, through Parliament Square and New Palace Yard to arrive at Westminster Hall — a journey of 2 kilometres.

Upon arrival in Westminster Hall, the coffin, which was draped in the Royal Standard, was placed onto a raised platform known as a catafalque and topped with the Imperial State Crown, orb and sceptre.

After the coffin was placed on the platform, a 20-minute service was held in Westminster Hall for members of the royal family.

Those who have patiently lined up to see the Queen lying in state will now be able to visit the hall 24 hours a day to pay their respects until Monday.

The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins. Photo: AP: Yui Mok/Pool Photo.

Source: ABC News.

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