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The British hate standing in queues as much as anyone else, but they are known for their skill at forming perfectly orderly queues, their delight at seeing one and their tutting and sighing when someone is trying to cut the line.

This week their skill is put into good practice as they are standing in the ultimate queue. It has already been dubbed The Queue or the Elizabeth Line. Brits are standing in it to get the chance to pay respects to their late monarch Queen Elizabeth II as she lies in state in the Palace of Westminster before her funeral.

At the time of writing this article, The Queue was about 5 miles long before it got paused. Before being paused, the tracker estimated that people would have to wait for 14 hours to be able to get inside the Palace where the coffin is. It’s quite crazy, but that doesn’t stop devoted and mourning Brits from joining The Queue. Or coming to just look at it and admire it. 

People online were quick to mock the hilarity and absurdity of it, but also the beauty and the Britishness of it. Apparently, there is nothing more quintessential for a Brit than standing in a queue and the world is proud of them, but it needs to pull their leg as well.

Image credits: Julian Calder

#1

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benrathe Report

Potty pagan panda
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She’s with her family now which should be some comfort to those paying their respects

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Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8th at the age of 96 and after ruling the country for 70 years, which made her the longest reigning monarch in the UK’s history.

The Queen’s coffin that is made of oak on the outside and lead on the inside was carried by 8 Royal Air Force members who put in the coffin covered with the royal flag in a catafalque. It was taken to the official royal residency in Scotland, which is the Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh.

On Monday, September 12, it was taken to the St. Giles’ Cathedral where people could wish the Queen a peaceful rest. It is estimated that 33,000 people went past her in the 24 hours that she was at the St. Giles' Cathedral.

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    #3

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    JofArnold Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was about to say this is really such a British thing to do. Here where I live people would be coming in from all those side streets trying to cut into the line. Not to mention the huge crowd pushing at the front.

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    The Queen’s coffin continued its journey and on Tuesday, it was taken by a military C-17 Globemaster to London and carried into Buckingham Palace. On Wednesday, it was carried to its last stop before the funeral, which is the oldest building on the Parliamentary estate, Westminster Hall.

    This is the place where the rest of the Brits can come and pay their respects to Elizabeth II. People started filing to enter Westminster Hall on Wednesday afternoon to get a chance to pass the Queen’s coffin. It is expected that 750,000 people will come to view the coffin until the lying in state’s end on Monday before the funeral, which is planned at 11:00 BST.

    #4

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    Parody_PM Report

    Katy McMouse
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When they shut this down for the funeral, just like on Everest, they're gonna find the abandoned bodies of those who just couldn't go on.

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    #5

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    emmashenderson Report

    To enter the Westminster Hall, people started lining up and started the most epic queue the world has ever seen as it is formed by the British, who are notorious for it, and also because they are standing in it to see their beloved Queen, who doesn’t even need to be named because everyone in the world thinks of her when you say the title.

    The Queue goes along the river Thames and stretches all the way to London Bridge, The Tower Bridge and beyond. It is so long that the UK government Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) launched an official Queue Tracker available on YouTube which gives live updates about the growing line, where the endpoint is and what the estimated waiting time is.

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    #7

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    curiousiguana Report

    Tiny Dancer
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trust me, click on the little curiousiguana link at the bottom left and scroll up to read this full thread. One of THE best things I've ever read online!

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    #8

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    mike_hooz Report

    STress
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mostly tourists. Proper Brits join the queue without questioning.

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    Not only that, but in true British fashion, the government issued a guide to The Queue. It includes things like how to get to London, how to get to and join The Queue, what will be its route. There are rules of what you can and cannot bring, they warn about being prepared for the weather and that people will be searched. 

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    People who are queuing are being given wristbands to indicate their location in The Queue so they can go get food and use the bathroom. Various cafes and other businesses are extending their working hours to cater for the people in the line and local venues and museums are open all day and night so people can use their facilities. In addition to that, there are more than 500 portable toilets at various points along The Queue’s route. 

    #10

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    richardosman Report

    ItsJess
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My anxiety would never let me leave The Queue once I got on it. I know people have wristbands and such, but my brain would think, "what if there's a mistake? What if they just don't let me back? I'm not taking any chances" which basically sums up my whole life

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    #11

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    NathWiddowson Report

    John G
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wondering how many "I met my partner in the queue" stories there will be.

    Yvonne Blau
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    .. and in 9 months time, how many queue babies there will be...

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    El Dee
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Imagine how easy it is to please someone if they are entertained by waiting in a queue for 8 hours..

    Dynein
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What? It's a social event! You're staying with the same group of people or hours and hours and have at least one thing in common; going through the same hardship! I wouldn't join the queue myself, but I know I've had quite pleasant social interactions when trains were canceled and such. When a group of random humans is dealing with the same problem for a prolonged period of time, they generally instinctively form tribes. It's hardwired into the brain and an enjoyable experience even if you never see the people again.

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    Katy McMouse
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, what this guy was saying is that this was essentially a massive play date?

    Ivy la Sangrienta
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember queueing for the Queen mother in 2002. Had the same experience, and we didn't have smart phones back then.

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    #12

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    nadinebh_ Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Paddington wouldn't be so bad as an Overlord, apart from the marmalade but I feel like I can live with that.

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    It is fascinating to see so many people united and so dedicated to standing in The Queue as they may need to remain in it overnight, during the colder hours of the day, to withstand the rain and the wind. It’s all because they felt grateful for the Queen’s service to their nation and now it’s their last chance to give her the last wave.

    The people are coming to terms with the fact that they have a new king and are getting through their grief, which is evident from the memes and reactions online. They were joking about how long The Queue is, about how it's a pure reflection of what the UK is all about and that even if you aren't a supporter of the monarchy, it's worth coming there just to look at the beautiful view of people standing one behind another.

    Which reactions did you like the most? Have you seen The Queue in real life? What do you think about it? Do you think the world is making a bigger deal of Queen Elizabeth’s death than it should? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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    #13

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    JustinLines1 Report

    ItsJess
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And the users name is...Just...in...Lines

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    #14

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    winyeemichelle Report

    Troy Parr
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw it called The Elizabeth Line in today's newspaper.

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    #16

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    simonharris_mbd Report

    Lee Macro
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lookin' for some hot stuff baby this evenin'

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    GedRobinson Report

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    #18

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    TheTchaikovsky Report

    Fred L.
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Two Bonds in the picture, as Moneypenny was played by Samantha Bond (pre-Downton Abbbey of course).

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    #20

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    babyradderz Report

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    #21

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    brian_bilston Report

    Beck
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The double Q..the queen's queue.

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    #22

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    magawk Report

    #23

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    Jabberwonkee Report

    Katy McMouse
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd definitely put this on a t-shirt.

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    #24

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    notDcfcBoss Report

    Andi
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    is that from, the Wicker Man ... now that is British weirdness at its best

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    #25

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    curiousiguana Report

    Groundcontroltomajortom
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love how The Queue has capitals and is now a phenomenon.

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    #27

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    EleanorMorton Report

    Daniel Atkins
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A comedy would be better. Oh and please cast John Cleese in it.

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    #28

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    SueSuezep Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Imagine getting there, seeing the end of the queue so far away and still deciding to join....I can't comprehend that.

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    #29

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    CarrieAnn_XOXO Report

    Eleanor Green
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is getting better, the further I go down this list. We'll done!

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    #31

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    TheProfRog Report

    #32

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    agnesfrim Report

    Katy McMouse
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't smell a BAFTA.

    #33

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    SaraKean Report

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    shirkerism Report

    #37

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    HutchinsonDave Report

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    jeffprad1 Report

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    domjoly Report

    #40

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    SamGoodman990 Report