Royal funeral boosts London tourism

People pitch their tents in front of Westminster Hall and Elizabeth Tower, referred to as Big Ben, as they queue up to pay their respects to the late Queen, who is lying-in-state at Westminster Hall in London, on September 17. Pic/AFP

Royal fans have poured into the heart of London to experience the flag-lined roads, pomp-filled processions and, above all, brave a miles long line for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to bid adieu to Queen Elizabeth II, who died after an unprecedented seven decades on the throne. And while they're here, they're packing hotels, restaurants and shops.

Visitors crowding into central London from as far away as the US and India for the historic moment are giving a boost to businesses at a time when the British economy is facing a cost-of-living crisis fuelled by the highest inflation in four decades and predictions of a looming recession. "This is the history, you know, this happens once in the lifetime," said Kanakkantt Benedict, who was visiting from India with his wife and filed past the Queen's flag-draped coffin this week. "So we became a part of it."

Visitors get their first glimpse of Queen Elizabeth II's flag-draped casket lying in state on the catafalque as they enter Westminster Hall on Saturday. Pic/AFP

The pomp and pageantry leading up to the funeral for Britain's longest-reigning monarch underscored the royal family's power as a global attraction, from an elaborate military procession for her crown-topped coffin drawing live viewers around the world to piles of flowers filling up Green Park near Buckingham Palace and gift shops hastily churning out souvenirs commemorating the Queen's life as people clamour for mementos.

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Hundreds of thousands are expected to pay tribute to the Queen in the four days that her body lies in state ahead of her state funeral on Monday, pushing up demand for hotel rooms in central London that in some cases have doubled in price.

King Charles III talks with the public waiting in the queue to pay their respects to the Queen. Pic/AFP

Hundreds of world leaders, from US President Joe Biden to Japan's emperor and empress, plus their entourages need places to stay as they arrive for the Queen's funeral. So do police officers coming from Britain to help with security. Occupancy levels could reach an all-time high of 95 per cent, according to London-based group-booking platform Hotelplanner.com.

"That's not surprising when you consider that the eyes of the world really are on the capital and the media, dignitaries and members of the public, just like myself, who just want to be part of such a historic occasion," said Thomas Emanuel, senior director of hotel analytics firm STR.

On the Thames, the Riverside Cafe, round-the-clock line for people to get a glimpse of the Queen's coffin, has been "extremely busy," manager Zab Istanik said. He's been opening two hours earlier than normal, at 7 am. "We were busy like this when the Queen's mum passed away in 2002. But it wasn't as busy as it is... this week," Istanik added.

People flocked to central London to join a queue to file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth on Saturday, undeterred by a government warning to stay at home to avoid standing in line for hours to see the late monarch's lying-in-state. Tens of thousands of people have already filed past the coffin in a steady, solemn stream, queuing for hours through the dark and cold to pay their respects.

By mid-morning, the culture ministry said the waiting time stood at up to 16 hours to reach Westminster Hall to take part. The British government urged people on Saturday not to travel to join the queue to file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth as the huge demand means people are having to stand in line for at least 24 hours to reach her lying-in-state. Earlier, the ministry had said it would pause entry to the queue if demand became too high, adding at 1 am: "Please do not travel." New friendships, acts of kindness and the struggles of standing in line for hours, sometimes overnight, have come to define what has become known as just "the queue".

Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan along with US President Joe Biden along with Japanese emperor and empress are some of the world leaders who are said to attend the Queen's funeral.

Military rehearse Queen's Windsor procession

Hundreds of troops from the British army, air force and navy have taken part in the first full rehearsal of the procession that will bring the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II to its final resting place. With troops lining The Long Walk, a path leading to Windsor Castle, the thumping of drums echoed as marching bands walked ahead of a hearse on Saturday. On Monday, they will do the same, only surrounded by thousands of people expected to travel to Windsor for a final farewell to the Queen.

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