Fans brave crowds and chaos to camp out in front of the Queen’s funeral

Hordes of people camped outside Buckingham Palace in London.

On the eve of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, in the shadow of Big Ben, people huddled in an area near Parliament to observe a national moment of reflection.

After a minute’s silence, most of the crowd dispersed quickly amid a roar of cheers and applause – except for those who would spend the night on the sidewalk.

Dozens of groups set up tents, sleeping bags, folding chairs and pizza box towers on the blocked-off street where the queen’s casket will pass on Monday. Camping before the royal event is a beloved tradition for some and a bucket list item for others, but it’s special for all.

Michelle Larsen, 42, brought her daughter and her mom from Oregon, where she and her mom have watched many a late-night royal event on TV together. They had booked tickets to London on the day the queen died.

Michelle Larson, 42, is pictured with her child McKinley Larson, 11, and mother Barbara Touma, 67, as they camped overnight outside Westminster Hall and the Houses of Parliament in London.

“In our thought process, she said, ‘Hey, she’s lived a long time …… So if that happens and we can go, let’s go.

They are particularly excited about experiencing such an event among the British people, and they say it hasn’t disappointed so far. They are amazed and impressed by the number of people who continue to come to pay their respects, and by the friendliness and warmth of everyone involved. Larson’s mother, Barbara Tuma, 67, particularly appreciated hearing the young women admire the queen and see her as a grandmotherly figure (she added that they are all called “Grandma”).

Members of the public camp behind barriers along the queue route before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London on Monday.

“I’ve just been looking up to her …… Now I’m looking up to her even more,” Tuma said.” I have more respect for the person King Charles will become.”

The trio booked a hotel room for the trip and prepared sleeping bags in case they decided to go camping – which they did on Sunday night. And they had plenty of company.

Nearby, Bethany Harris, 24, was getting ready for her second camping night, and she noticed there seemed to be more people this time. asks NPR. What’s it like to sleep there? She doesn’t know.

“I slept for about an hour at 5:30 this morning,” Harris said.” There’s so much noise, there’s so much going on, you just can’t sleep. It’s like there’s some kind of, not an exciting atmosphere, but there’s just an atmosphere of togetherness and stuff like that, which is really, really nice.”

Her neighbor, Michelle Beresford, 64, agreed. She came alone because her daughters couldn’t make it, and she spent most of the day connecting with Harris and her family.

“I went to Diana’s wedding, I went to her funeral, I went to Kate and William’s wedding, and I had to come,” Beresford said.

This time was completely different, she said, with fewer campers and a more somber tone. She may not have known what to expect, but as a seasoned royal camper, she knew what to prepare for.

“Always bring warm clothes, layer after layer, no matter what time of the year it is,” she said.” And a glass of wine.”

Hardish Purewal had a glass of soda next to her friend Loo Blackburn as they camped overnight outside Westminster Hall and the Houses of Parliament in London.

Farther down the sidewalk, a group of four women made a cozy setup of their own, decorated with British flags.

Hardish Purewal, Loo Blackburn and Rosie Johnson have been friends for more than 20 years – as their children now go to school together – and Rosie’s daughter Ella joined them.

Rosie Johnson and her daughter Ella Johnson spent the night camping outside Westminster Hall and the Houses of Parliament in London.

They braved the cold, armed with coats and gin, because they wanted to pay tribute to the queen – whom they consider unique and “the grandmother of the nation.

“Tomorrow is about saying goodbye,” Preval said …… and to pay tribute to an amazing, wonderful, strong woman.

They are also happy to see the march, not only for the world’s dignitaries, but also for the British leaders and institutions participating in the march. Blackburn adds.

“It’s a real celebration of everything that is British.”

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