Later today the Queen’s coffin will leave Scotland on a flight to RAF Northolt in north-west London accompanied by the Princess Royal. The group will then make their way into central London through the Central Gate of Buckingham Palace. The coffin will lie in state in the Bow Room overnight and on Wednesday will be moved to Westminster Hall to lie in state, where hundreds of thousands of mourners are expected to remain until the Queen’s funeral on Monday. Mourners view Queen’s coffin after royal vigil led by King – latest updates The Bow Room has played host to a number of high-profile figures over the years. They include former US President George W. Bush, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and representatives of Arsenal football club. The New Zealand All Blacks also visited the Bow Room in 2005, where they met the Queen and a 23-year-old Prince William. The royals were treated to a performance of the traditional haka. Image: Queen Elizabeth meeting members of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team in 2005 The room was formerly known as the Bow Library and is located in the west wing of Buckingham Palace behind Marble Hall. It gets its name from the window that runs along one side. The room also has direct access to the palace garden. Read more: Instructions for the Queen lying in state All the Queen’s children together for the first time behind the coffin Former soldier queues to see the Queen’s coffin The Bow Room was also used for the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday private dinner in 2000. More than 30 members of the royal family attended the event. Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal presented his Diamond Jubilee Concert Picnic at the Bow Room in 2012. This weekend King Charles III met with newly appointed Foreign Secretary James Cleverley and dignitaries from across the Commonwealth in the Bow Room. Image: King Charles III spoke to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly during a reception for UK High Commissioners and their spouses in the Bow Room on Sunday He was photographed smiling as he greeted dignitaries from around the world. The Queen Consort was also present.
