Crowds line up to see Queen Elizabeth’s coffin procession

Mourners were given a strictly “nontransferrable” wristband that allows them to leave and rejoin the line.

While they waited, the late sovereign made her final return home to Buckingham Palace, where the hearse carrying her coffin after it was flown back from Scotland was greeted with applause Tuesday night from the thousands waiting outside.

On Wednesday, the coffin made the ceremonial journey from the palace to Westminster in a horse-drawn gun carriage, followed on foot by King Charles III, Prince William, Prince Harry and other royals. The route, lined with British and Commonwealth nation flags, was packed with mourners and well-wishers, while the procession was accompanied gun salutes in Hyde Park. Big Ben chimed every minute during the coffin’s slow progress.

The queen’s coffin left the palace at 2.22 p.m. (9:22 a.m. ET) — so timed so the procession would reach Westminster at 3 p.m.

The queen’s coffin was covered in the royal standard, on which the crown jeweler placed imperial crown on a velvet cushion. A wreath contained flowers, wood and herbs from gardens at Balmoral and Windsor, two of the queen’s most cherished residences.

Crowds greeted the cortege with applause that was almost drowned out by a band of Royal Marines and their drums beating the slow marching rhythm.

A pallbearer party of ten soldiers carried the former sovereign inside, as the sounds of the Choir of Westminster Abbey rang out around the ancient hall, before a short service led by the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

Not until 5 p.m. (1 p.m. ET) are people allowed to file past the queen.

Nanthakumaran said she brought with her a couple of croissants, some milk and a bottle of water to tide her over. But what she really appreciates is the company.

“We’re doing this together,” she said, nodding at Annie and Grace as the three sat beneath a shelter with a table behind them stacked with supplies like “Golden Shred” orange marmalade, which they said was a favorite of the queen. “It requires some stamina.”

“But we are all supporting one another,” said Grace, her shoulders covered with a Union Flag.

“It was gut-wrenching,” Annie said, when asked what she felt when she learned that the queen had died. “She had this unique ability to speak to us as a nation,” she added. “There were so many rituals involving the queen that united us.”

Grace agreed. “She made us all feel welcome in this country,” she said.

Reporters outnumbered the women at first. But as they spoke, the line of…