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Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Westminster Hall
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Christopher Furlong / dpa
A security guard has collapsed on the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in London's Westminster Hall.
He stood on a small pedestal in front of the coffin on Thursday night, as shown in a live broadcast by the BBC public broadcaster.
During a changing of the guard, he lost his balance twice in quick succession and staggered slightly to one side.
Eventually he staggered again - and then fell forward onto the floor.
In the otherwise very quiet Westminster Hall, the impact was clearly audible.
Bystanders guards rushed to the fallen man's aid and rolled him onto his back.
Several waiting people who wanted to say goodbye to the Queen clapped their hands in shock in front of their faces.
The live stream paused and switched to an exterior view of Westminster Hall.
Nothing is known about the health of the security guard.
The traditional security guards in Britain often have to stand for hours at work.
Similar incidents due to circulatory problems have already occurred in the past.
The Queen's coffin is laid out for the public in Westminster Hall, the oldest part of Britain's Parliament.
Until Monday morning, people there can slowly walk past the coffin 24 hours a day and say goodbye to the long-standing British head of state.
The queue stretched several kilometers along the Thames through the center of the British capital on Wednesday.
It is estimated that up to two million people could come.
The BBC broadcasts the laying out live – a full 109.5 hours.
Queen Elizabeth II died last Thursday at the age of 96 at her Scottish country estate, Balmoral Castle.
On Sunday, her coffin was transferred to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, and on Monday, a funeral march attended by King Charles III.
and his siblings participated on foot, been taken to a cathedral.
The coffin containing the Queen's remains was then flown from Edinburgh to London in a British Air Force transport on Tuesday evening and taken to Buckingham Palace.
On Wednesday, the royal family, Guardsmen and countless onlookers accompanied the coffin as it made its way through London to Westminster Hall.
Gun salutes were fired every minute.
King Charles III
and his siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward walked behind the coffin.
Just behind the new king was his eldest son, Prince William, walking alongside brother Harry.
The Queen's state funeral is next Monday.
aar/dpa