People hold a minute of silence for the late Queen at Westminster Bridge in front of Big Ben
(Picture: AP)A technical fault with Big Ben which meant it did not ring for a minute’s silence in honour of the Queen on Sunday night has been “resolved” ahead of the funeral, according to Parliamentary authorities.
The world-famous clock had been due to ring out at 8pm on Sunday to mark a minute’s nationwide silence, but did not do so, prompting confusion.
A UK Parliament spokesperson said later in the evening: “We have investigated this as a matter of urgency and have identified a minor technical issue that has now been resolved.
“We will be testing the bell again later tonight and are confident that it will not affect the tolling during the state funeral procession.”
Big Ben is due to chime once every minute as the Queen’s coffin leaves Westminster Abbey after the conclusion of the late monarch’s funeral, due to start at 11am.
During Sunday’s national silence, Prime Minister Liz Truss stood outside 10 Downing Street with her head bowed in , with people across the country following suit.
A similar two-minutes silence will be observed at Westminster Abbey and throughout the country after the Last Post plays at the late monarch’s funeral at approximately 11.55am.
It comes as the final mourners have paid their respects to the Queen lying in state in Parliament’s Westminster Hall.
Since Thursday, hundreds of thousands of members of the public have filed past the coffin until, early on Monday morning, the final people who had queued through the night left the cavernous mediaeval hall.
Ms Heerey said: “I was the last person to pay my respects to the Queen and it felt like a real privilege to do that. I’d already been round once, I went in at 1:15 this morning.
“It’s one of the highlights of my life and I feel very privileged to be here.
The process has seen a river of people snaking along the Thames around the clock, members of the public mixing with celebrities such as David Beckham.
Some bowed, some curtsied, others made the sign of the cross as they paused beside the coffin which was draped in the Royal Standard with the jewels in the Imperial State Crown, sceptre and orb, placed on top.
Members of parliamentary staff and, finally, Black Rod Sarah Clarke were the final people to pay their respects after the last of those who had queued had been through Westminster Hall.
