Susanna Reid says seven hour queue to see Queen lying in state was 'worth every minute'

Susanna Reid leaves the BBC Broadcasting House in central London after appearing on The Andrew Marr Show on 14 July, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Susanna Reid queued to see the Queen lying in state. (WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Good Morning Britain star Susanna Reid queued for over seven hours to see the Queen lying in state and said it was "worth every minute".

The presenter made the trip to Westminster Hall with her mum and said it was "utterly magnificent".

She tweeted: "Evening - along with my lovely mum and her very good friend, I have just experienced a moment in history - witnessing the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall.

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"At once majestic and peaceful."

She went on: "Once you enter Westminster Hall, it is worth every minute of The Queue.

"Utterly magnificent.

"Quiet. Respectful. Historic."

A long exposure photograph showing members of the public as they file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, London, ahead of her funeral on Monday. Picture date: Thursday September 15, 2022.
The Queen is lying in state in Westminster Hall. (PA)

Reid also kept her followers updated about what the queue was like and shared plenty of tips, including that people should wear their "comfiest shoes" and "take loo roll".

She tweeted: "If you are planning to queue here are our tips.

"We joined at 1.23pm near Butlers Wharf and entered Westminster Hall at 8.43pm - 7 hours 20 mins.

"Wear the comfiest shoes you own.

"Go with someone if you can, although everyone in the queue was friendly."

Susanna Reid advised people to wear comfy shoes. (ITV)
Susanna Reid advised people to wear comfy shoes. (ITV)

The TV star, 51, said in another post: "Don’t carry too much in a bag - water is freely available and there are lots of cafes along the route.

"Also plenty of toilets.

"I put my phone on low battery mode and it lasted the entire time."

Reid added: "Take loo roll.

FILE - Queen Elizabeth II stands on the balcony during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant at the Buckingham Palace in London, Sunday, June 5, 2022, on the last of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II is under medical supervision as doctors are
The Queen died at the age of 96. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool, File)

"Carry wet wipes for hands - not sanitiser as it will be confiscated by security."

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The Queen’s lying in state at the Palace of Westminster is open 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on 19 September, the day of the late monarch's funeral.

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