UK government warns of 'risks to public safety' as crowds gather to mourn the Queen
- The UK government made a public safety warning over crowding following the Queen's death.
- Central London streets may be closed off and public transit delayed as mourners gather.
The UK's government has warned of public safety risks in London as the country prepares for the Queen's funeral and a wealth of other commemorative events.
The funeral date has not been set at time of writing, but is expected to come at the end of the 10 day period of official mourning. Her death was announced on Thursday afternoon.
On Friday, the Cabinet Office issued a statement saying "we expect large crowds," which could cause "significant crowding and delays on some public transport."
Many parts of central London will be closed off as part of funeral preparations, the Cabinet Office said. The announcement also asked well-wishers to lay flowers "only in designated areas" near royal residences in London, Windsor, Edinburgh, Balmoral and Sandringham.
At the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, an estimated 1 million bouquets were left by the public, The Guardian reported.
The country's capital has fielded several massive events, such as the wedding of William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the 2012 Olympics.
But the end of the Queen's 70-year reign, the longest in the country's history, could potentially produce crowds of another order altogether.
Crowds began to gather outside Buckingham Palace on Thursday as soon as the Queen's doctors signaled, at 12.34 p.m. local time, their "concern" for her health.
In the coming days, a number of events are planned ahead of the funeral. These include a remembrance service in St Paul's Cathedral, a 96-gun salute in several locations across the capital, and a formal ceremony declaring King Charles III at St James' Palace, the BBC reported.
The Queen's body will also lie in state for four days at Westminster Hall, the BBC reported, an event expected to attract huge numbers.
In 2002, following the death of HRH the Queen Mother, more than 200,000 people paid their respects to her as she lay in state.