The Queen

Personnel stage early-morning rehearsal for Queen's coffin procession in London

Final preparations for events in London following the death of the Queen are under way – with a full rehearsal for the procession of her coffin to Westminster Hall taken place in central London.

Thousands of soldiers in ceremonial uniforms gathered at Buckingham Palace in the early hours of Tuesday for the practice run.

The Queen's coffin will arrive in London from Scotland on Tuesday evening and will remain in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace overnight before being taken to lie in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday.

The early-morning rehearsal saw the horse-drawn carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery being led along the route.

A black coffin was placed on the gun carriage and, at around 04:00, the procession was ordered to march, and the carriage, pulled by seven black horses, made its way via Queen's Gardens, The Mall, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square and New Palace Yard.

Many of central London's streets were sealed off for the massive operation.

The real procession begins at 14:22 Uk time on Wednesday, and it will last 38 minutes.

King Charles III, members of the Royal Family and senior staff of the Queen's and King's households are expected to walk behind the coffin.

The rehearsal, which took place before the sun came up, saw people standing in for them.

Given the time, only a few onlookers were present but there has been some footage of the rehearsal published on Twitter.

Household Division make final adjustments to uniform prior to a final dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge 13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg — Household Division make final adjustments to uniform prior to a final dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Household Division prior to a final dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge 13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg — Household Division prior to a final dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Members of the Household Division outside Wellington Barracks prior to a final dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge 13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg — Members of the Household Division outside Wellington Barracks prior to a final dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Members of the Household Division prior to final dress rehearsal Operation London Bridge 13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg — Members of the Household Division prior to final dress rehearsal Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Flag lined Mall prior to a final dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg — Flag lined Mall prior to a final dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Pictured is the Guards Memorial as a final dress rehearsal of part of Operation London Bridge takes place 13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg — Pictured is the Guards Memorial as a final dress rehearsal of part of Operation London Bridge takes place (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Tri-Service personnel took part in a full dress rehearsal in London District in preparation for Operation London Bridge 13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg — Tri-Service personnel took part in a full dress rehearsal in London District in preparation for Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Members of the Household Division prior to final dress rehearsal as part of Operation London Bridge 13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg — Members of the Household Division prior to final dress rehearsal as part of Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Royal Navy and The British Army form up as a part of a dress rehearsal during Operation London Bridge 13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg — Royal Navy and The British Army form up as a part of a dress rehearsal during Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Personal from the Royal Navy March out of Wellington Barracks as a part of a full dress rehearsal during Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Grenadier Guards form up at Wellington Barracks ahead of a final full dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge 13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg — Grenadier Guards form up at Wellington Barracks ahead of a final full dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Grenadier Guards members form up ahead of a final full dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge 13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg — Grenadier Guards form up at Wellington Barracks ahead of a final full dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Members of the Household Division make final adjustments to uniform prior to a final dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge 13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg — Members of the Household Division make final adjustments to uniform prior to a final dress rehearsal as a part of Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Band members of the RAF ahead of a full dress rehearsal at Wellington Barracks as a part of Operation London Bridge 13092022 CREDIT MOD Crown Copyright.jpg.jpg — Band members of the RAF ahead of a full dress rehearsal at Wellington Barracks as a part of Operation London Bridge (Picture: MOD Crown Copyright).

Members of the public have been warned not to wait or camp along the route where the Queen's coffin will be taken for the lying in state.

Viewing areas along the route with a limited capacity will open at 11:00 on the day, with people admitted in order of arrival time amid expected long queues, 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 taken in procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey for the state funeral service.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to visit Westminster Hall to pay their respects during the lying in state but security staff said the queue is likely to snake for miles, potentially all the way along the River Thames to Tower Bridge.