Three generations of women who wanted to say goodbye to the Queen as a family were among the first people to see the late monarch lying in state at Westminster Hall.

Thousands of people queued through the night for a chance to see the Queen’s coffin ahead of the state funeral on Monday, as the nation mourns its loss.

Queen lies in state as mourners pay respects – latest updates

Polly, who went into Westminster Hall with her daughter and her granddaughter, said the experience was “overwhelming”.

She told Sky News: “I knew what to expect, but nevertheless, it’s so serene and so beautiful.

“It’s really just an occasion to say goodbye to a queen that we’ve all respected and cared for.

“We all came out, my daughter, my granddaughter and I came out of it quite emotional really.

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First mourners walk past Queen’s coffin as monarch lies in state at Westminster Hall

“We will miss the Queen,” she added.

The line of mourners waiting to get into Westminster Hall currently stretches for more than two and a half miles.

Watch live as mourners pay their respects to the Queen as she lies in state

Polly’s granddaughter Shannon said it was “definitely worth the wait”.

She added: “It’s always been something that we’ve experienced together as a family.

“And it’s important to my grandma so it’s important to me.

“And it’s something that I felt I needed to do.”

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