The first glimpse of what the Queen’s funeral will look like

However, one small group camped outside Buckingham Palace.

John Lowell, from Streatham, south London, said he was “devastated” by the news of the Queen’s death, adding: “We are all heartbroken. I can’t take it.”

His friend, Sky London, said they had been camping since Thursday “so we can have a good look at things” and insisted they would not be leaving until after the funeral so they could “honour”.

He added: “Ten days (camping) against a 70-year rule is just a fraction.”

People have been warned not to wait or camp along the route where the Queen’s coffin will be taken to the funeral.

Limited capacity wayside viewing areas will open at 11am on the day and people will be admitted on a first come, first served basis with long queues expected, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said.

The Queen’s coffin will remain in Westminster Hall until Monday, when it will be escorted from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey for a state funeral.