Death of Elizabeth II: at Westminster Hall, the British people's last salute to the Queen

Correspondent in London,

Like a silent river whose waters separate around the catafalque, the crowd flows from the grand staircase before splitting into two lines to pass in front of the royal coffin.

The latter is covered with the Royal Standard, the royal standard.

Above, the '

', resting on a purple velvet cushion surrounded by flowers including white roses and white dahlias as well as foliage from Balmoral and Windsor Castles.

At the four corners watch soldiers from the

, the

and the

.

Also taking turns are men in ceremonial uniform from another age, the

, the

and the

.

Head down, saber or pike pointing down.

They are relieved every twenty minutes, with a solemn ritual punctuated by blows of the cane on the ground which echo in the large building.

A "

", a tradition already observed twice...

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