Queen Elizabeth II: Police Arrest Man Who Approached Queen’s Coffin

A man has been arrested after he approached Queen Elizabeth II‘s coffin in Westminster Hall with a cigarette lighter, according to the BBC.

The man was seen by police moving away from a queue of mourners, before approaching the coffin and lighting up while on his knees. He will be questioned later today.

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Metropolitan Police said that the man, who is in his 30s and was arrested under the Public Order Act will be held in custody until Wednesday.

In a statement, the force said the incident happened at about 22:00 BST on Friday night at the Parliament.

The live video feed of the Queen lying in state cut away for a brief period during the incident.

A statement from Scotland Yard said: “Around 22:00 on Friday 16 September officers from the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command detained a man in Westminster Hall following a disturbance.”

Also, a Parliament spokesperson said: “We’re aware of an incident in Westminster Hall, in which a member of the public moved out of the queue and towards the catafalque.

“They have now been removed from the hall and the queue restarted with minimal disruption.”

Newly crowned King Charles III was joined by siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, in a vigil in the hall, earlier in the evening.

The late Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Westminster Hall until the day of her funeral on Monday.

Buckingham Palace confirms the Queen’s death

About a week ago, UK’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has passed on at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.

READ ALSO: UK Queen Elizabeth II Has Passed Away Buckingham Palace Confirms

On Thursday, after concerns grew about her health her family gathered at her Scottish estate.

In 1952, Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne at the age of 26 and witnessed enormous social change.

With her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.

Buckingham Palace in a statement said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.