Man Arrested After Rushing Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin
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The late monarch is currently lying in state in Westminster Hall until her funeral on Monday, Sept. 19.
A man has been arrested in London after attempting to rush Queen Elizabeth II's coffin as she lies in state at Westminster Hall, new reports reveal.
The man was taken into custody after the incident occurred around 10:00 PM local time on Friday, Sept. 16, after he broke away from the line of mourners and ran towards the coffin. Witnesses said the man appeared to grab at the Royal standard flag before he was apprehended by police.
"Around 22:00 on Friday 16 September officers from the Met's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command detained a man in Westminster Hall following a disturbance," Metropolitan Police said in a statement, according to BBC.
"We're aware of an incident in Westminster Hall, in which a member of the public moved out of the queue and towards the catafalque," a Parliament spokesperson stated. "They have now been removed from the hall and the queue restarted with minimal disruption."
The late monarch—who died at age 96 on Sept. 8—is currently lying in state at Westminster Hall, where visitors have been waiting in line to pay their respects. She will remain there until her funeral on Monday, Sept. 19.
The live feed broadcasting the event briefly cut out as the man was apprehended. Witnesses on the scene said police were able to stop the man almost immediately.
One eye witness recalled the incident to The Daily Mail, stating, "A person decided they were going to push my seven-year-old niece out the way, run up to the coffin, lift up the standard and try to do I don't know what. She was grabbed out the way and the police had him within two seconds."
Earlier on Friday, King Charles III was joined by siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Andrew to mount the vigil around the Queen's coffin.
Prince Harry and Prince William were also present while the coffin was brought to the hall on Wednesday, Sept. 14.
Queen Elizabeth II's funeral will take place on Monday, Sept. 19, which will begin in London and end in Windsor, where she will be laid to rest.
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