So Many Mourners That Westminster Hall Stayed Open All Night

The third day of the lying-in-state of King George V was a Sunday and the number of mourners surged yet again. The weather was also much better. At its longest the queue formed a large U shape running west to Vauxhall Bridge, crossing the bridge and the running eastwards as far as Westminster Bridge, just across the river from its destination. By midnight 250,000 people had paid their respects, making a total of half-a-million since the Hall had opened its doors on the Friday morning. It was decided to keep Westminster Hall open through the night, wisely as the queue still reached Vauxhall Bridge at midnight.

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