Tearful David Beckham waited for 13 hours to see the Queen's coffin

Several high-profile people waited to pay tribute to the late Queen. Susanna Reid, Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby, and football legend David Beckham are a few. A tearful Beckham waited in the queue for 13 hours and remembered receiving his Order of the British Empire (OBE) in June 2003 for his football services. David Beckham told a news outlet how it meant so much to the players when they stepped out on the pitch wearing the three lions jersey and singing God Save the Queen.

He said he thought about coming at 2 am because it would be quieter. However, he soon realized he was wrong. The queue was paused for some time on Friday because it reached maximum capacity, and at 11:35, officials stopped people from joining the queue. Officials reopened the queue, but reports suggest the waiting time might exceed 24 hours, and the queue might need to be paused again upon reaching maximum capacity.

Television presenters and politicians, among others, were criticized for how they were allowed to 'skip' the queues. Susanna Reid, David Beckham, Phillip Schofield, and Holly Willoughby were some high-profile figures who skipped the public queue. MPs and other high-profile figures have been allowed to skip the queues and take up to four guests.


The treatment differs from other members who work on the estate, such as security guards or cleaners, who had to wait in queue with the general public. PCS Union's general secretary, Mark Serwotka, said it's symbolic how the parliament's hard-working catering staff, cleaners, and security guards were treated as second-class citizens. Beckham says he feels lucky to have met and spent time with the late Queen and recalled the most memorable moment with her when he received his OBE.

FAQs

Q1. Why was the waiting queue paused for the joining public?

A1. The waiting queue had to be paused, and the public had to be stopped from joining because it had reached maximum capacity.

Q2. When did David Beckham receive his OBE?

A2. David Beckham received his OBE in June 2003 for his services to football.