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David Beckham wanted to 'celebrate amazing life of Queen' as he queued for over 12 hours

Julia Hunt
·Contributor
Updated ·2-min read

Watch: David Beckham joins queue to see Queen's coffin

David Beckham told of the camaraderie as he queued to see the Queen lying in state, saying it was something that's "meant to be shared".

The football star, 47, was one of thousands of people who lined up to see the late monarch's coffin at Westminster Hall.

He joined the lengthy queue shortly after 2am on Friday morning (16 September) and was still in the line more than 12 hours later.

Read more: Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby pay respects at Queen's lying in state

Beckham was approached by journalists as he lined up with members of the public and opened up about what a special experience it was.

David Beckham attending The Sun's Who Cares Wins Awards at the Roundhouse in London. Picture date: Tuesday September 14, 2021.
David Beckham was spotted in the queue to see the Queen lying in state. (PA)

"We've all been celebrating and telling stories," he told the BBC.

"We all want to be here together, we all want to experience something where we celebrate the amazing life of our Queen.

"Something like this today is meant to be shared together."

He added that there was plenty of snacking going on, saying: "We are eating Pringles, we are eating sherbet lemons, we are eating sandwiches, having coffees, doughnuts!"

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, lying in state on the catafalque as members of the public file past in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, London, ahead of her funeral on Monday. Picture date: Friday September 16, 2022.
The lying in state continues until 19 September. (PA)

The sports star told ITV that the day was always going to be "difficult" and that everyone around the world was feeling the loss.

"A sad day but it's a day for us to remember the incredible legacy that she’s left," he added.

A couple of people in the line tweeted that they'd seen the footballer.

One said: "The Queue is now full of people trying to photograph David Beckham and forgetting to actually move onwards.

"It’s madness!"

The star's wife Victoria Beckham wasn't with him. (Darren Gerrish/WireImage for White Company)
The star's wife Victoria Beckham wasn't with him. (Darren Gerrish/WireImage for White Company)

Other stars spotted in the queue include Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid, who waited for more than seven hours.

The presenter visited with her mum and shared lots of tips on Twitter, telling people to wear their "comfiest" shoes and take along toilet paper.

This Morning stars Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were also seen.

Members of the public in the queue at Southwark Park in London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday. Picture date: Friday September 16, 2022.
Thousands of people have queued to be at Westminster Hall. (PA)

It's thought that the pair were filming a segment for their show.

Read more: Susanna Reid says seven hour queue to see Queen lying in state was 'worth every minute'

The Queen’s lying in state at the Palace of Westminster is open 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on 19 September, the day of the late monarch's funeral.