In the 10 p.m. queue to see Queen Elizabeth’s coffin at Westminster Abbey, one familiar face stood out among thousands: David Beckham. The world famous soccer star, according to reports, joined the line at two in the morning and patiently waited all day to pay his respects to the late monarch.
The images show Beckham wearing a black cap and a simple suit with a matching tie as he approached the cathedral. Why join the line? Grieve and reflect within the community. “We all want to experience something where we celebrate the incredible life of our queen,” Beckham, who received an OBE in 2003, told reporters. “You know something like this today is meant to be shared together.”
When Beckham reached Westminster Abbey, he appeared visibly moved at the sight of the Queen draped in the universal standard flag.
The queue has become a poignant cultural phenomenon in the UK – a physical representation of how the Queen meant so much to so many people. More than 750,000 people are expected to have filed through Westminster Hall by Monday, according to the BBC. (At any given time, even the line’s live stream has thousands of views.) Although the police were present, the crowd was remarkably orderly and respectful.
Mourners will be able to visit Westminster Abbey until 6.30am on Monday, September 19, the day of the Queen’s funeral. The solemn event is expected to attract even more political figures and famous faces from around the world, from US President Joe Biden to French President Emmanuel Macron. Representatives of most of the European royal families will also be present.
Until then, the queue will continue all day, night, heat, cold and rain.
