A solemn looking David Beckham paid his respects to Queen Elizabeth II after waiting almost 12 hours to see the Queen’s coffin in all its glory.
The 47-year-old football star was first spotted by mourners queuing as he approached Westminster Hall on Friday morning (September 16). Beckham wore a black flat cap, suit and black tie for the occasion.
His presence came as MPs and other celebrities, including This morning Hosts Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby came under fire for “skipping the line” as they paid their respects via a press box for a separate viewing.
When speaking to ITV News In the queue, Beckham revealed he had joined the long line at 2am. “I thought if I come at 2am it would be a little quieter. I was wrong,” he said.
In London, the queue for the Queen’s coffin reopened on Friday after reaching capacity with a wait of at least 14 hours. The line to Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament, where the Queen’s coffin is kept until her funeral on Monday, stretched five miles across London.
When asked why he decided to view the Queen’s coffin, Beckham said he wanted to come on behalf of his family. “I grew up in a royalist household and was brought up that way. If my grandparents were here today, I know they wanted to be here,” he said.
“I’m here on her behalf and on behalf of my family and of course to celebrate with everyone else here,” he added.
“It’s a sad day, but it’s a day we remember the incredible legacy she left behind.”
Many fans and mourners took to social media to share pictures and videos of Beckham queuing to see the Queen’s coffin.
In a viral clipwhich was taken from BBC News Reporter Tanya Hines, Beckham had approached Victoria Tower Gardens when a fan asked to take a photo with the star. The retired soccer player declined, explaining, “Sorry, I can’t keep the lineup.”
Another fan was able to snap a quick selfie with Beckham as he walked past him in line. “We come to pay my respects to the Queen and just before we go in we meet the handsome Mr. Beckham.” tweeted Writer Christopher Anstee.
Others praised the father-of-four for waiting in line for nearly 12 hours, just like everyone else to see the Queen’s coffin.
“David Beckham queued up to see the Queen’s coffin at 1.45am on Friday morning,” said journalist Tony Parsons. “If he looks like a man who’s been up all night – he has.”
“Full credit to this man who could have played the VIP card. He is an honor to our nation and its queen.”
“David Beckham has 12 hours in line to pay his respects to the Queen – further proof that he’s basically one of the good guys in life,” said writer Harry Wallop.
Entering Westminster Hall, Beckham looked tearful and solemn as he paid his respects to the Queen. Recordings from the BBC shows Beckham entering the historic hall after removing the hat he was wearing while waiting in line.
The entrance to Southwark Park reopened on Friday, despite an announcement from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport that the line would be closed for at least six hours to manage capacity.
Although the line was halted due to full capacity, a second queue formed outside the park along Jamaica Road, leading to attendants eventually reopening the gate.
Many famous faces have also paid their respects to the Queen. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who will attend the Queen’s funeral on Monday, was seen at Westminster Hall on Friday, inspecting the late monarch’s coffin.
David Beckham enters Westminster Hall to see the Queen in state
Good morning Britain Presenter Susanna Reid also queued to get into the Palace of Westminster and said she went to view the Queen’s coffin with her mother.
On Saturday morning (September 17), Tilda Swinton was spotted queuing in the public queue, with many praising her for “refusing to take advantage of status” to pay her respects to the Queen.
However, Schofield and Willoughby attended the handover as representatives of the press and were taken to a press box for a separate tour to avoid the hours-long queue the public must wait in.
MPs are also given special access to Westminster Hall to pay their respects to the late Queen and can bring up to four guests.
People took to Twitter to criticize the “unfair” treatment, with many slamming MPs, Schofield and Willoughby for “thinking they were better than the rest of us”.
“I have absolute respect for David Beckham who queued up with everyone else for 12 hours, took pictures with the public, spoke to them and was a generally nice guy, unlike Phil and Holly who decided they were better than the public were and bypassed the queue. ‘ wrote one person.
However, others pointed out that Schofield and Willoughby were there as members of the press. “Susan is stupid because she waits in line. Beckham is not a journalist. Holly and Phil will detail their experience for thousands of viewers who couldn’t be there,” said one Twitter user.
Westminster Hall will remain open 24 hours a day to allow thousands of citizens to pay their respects until 6.30am on the day of the Queen’s funeral, Monday 19 September. From there, the Queen’s coffin is carried in a grand military procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey for burial. High-ranking family members and military personnel will also attend the procession.
The funeral service at Westminster Abbey is attended by presidents, prime ministers and royalty from around the world. The service, which begins at 11 a.m., will also be televised.
After the service, the coffin is taken in a procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch and then to Windsor. Once the hearse arrives in Windsor, it will head to St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle for another televised funeral service.
A private funeral service will also be held later in the evening with senior members of the royal family.
The Queen’s final resting place will be the King George VI Memorial Chapel, an annex to the main chapel, where her mother and father were buried along with the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret.