Public Access to the Service

All wristbands for public entry to the service have now been distributed. There is no admittance to the service without a wristband. The service will be broadcast live on BBC1. 

What time is the service?

A service of Prayer and Reflection for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday 9th September at 6pm.

Is there an Order of Service?

Yes, you can download an Order of Service below.

Can I attend the service?

There are limited spaces for members of the general public, however all of these spaces have now been allocated on a first come first served basis. Entry to the service is for wristband holders only, so please do not attend the Cathedral if you do not already have a wristband. 

I’ve lost my wristband. Can I collect another?

No, wristbands are given strictly on a one-per-person basis.

Can I look around the Cathedral ahead of the service?

The Cathedral is closed today for sightseeing and worship ahead of the service. The Cathedral will be open for private prayer and services only from Saturday 10th September. Details of when we will reopen for reopen for sightseeing will be announced shortly. 

Information on Wristbands to Attend the Service

Entry to the service is by dedicated wristband only.

More information is available for Wristband holders here.

Can I collect more than one wristband?

No. Wristbands are handed out strictly on a one-per-person basis and you must be present to collect your own wristband. You cannot collect one to give to somebody else.

Can I give my wristband to someone else? Do I have to wear it?

Your wristband is your ticket for entry to the service. It will be applied to your wrist at the pickup point. You must wear the wristband until the service has ended and you have left the cathedral.

If you take it off or give it to someone else, the wristband will no longer be valid and you will not be admitted to St Paul’s Cathedral for the service.

What time does the queue to enter the Cathedral open? How long will I have to queue?

After collecting your wristband you must leave the area surrounding the Cathedral to allow for preparation of the service. Wristband holders should return to the area and join the queue from 3pm in Paternoster Square. Once the Cathedral has been prepared for the service it will be opened to wristband holders.

Can I choose where I sit for the service? Can I sit with my friends or family?

No, seating is preassigned. The wristband you have received has a coloured strip. Each colour wristband band matches a different seating area. A steward will direct you to your seat when you enter the Cathedral. Your position in the queue will not affect where you sit once you get inside the Cathedral.

Are there toilets inside or nearby the Cathedral?

Before and after the service, there are public toilets near the Cathedral in Paternoster Square (Postcode: EC4M 7DX) and One New Change Shopping Centre (Postcode: EC4M 9AF).

Once inside the Cathedral, there are toilets available in the Crypt. They are only available to those attending the service once they have passed through the security checks on arrival. 

Can I take photos during the service?

Photography inside the Cathedral is not permitted before, during or after the service.

Can I bring bags?

There are a number of security measures in place, including visible measures like bag checks.

One small bag per person, no larger than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm is permitted inside the Cathedral for the service. There is no cloakroom and we recommend you bring as little as possible with you.

There are a number of items prohibited in the Cathedral. Illegal items such as knives, weapons, pepper spray, etc. will be confiscated and given to the Police. Certain items will not be allowed inside the Cathedral and include but are not limited to: glass bottles; alcohol; hot drinks; climbing equipment including ropes and carabiners; banners; klaxons; fireworks or flares; drones; spray paint or tins of paint; scooters; musical instruments are all prohibited and will be confiscated for the duration of the service.

Can I bring flowers?

No. Flowers and other tributes are not allowed inside the Cathedral so please do not bring them to the area as they will not be permitted in the queue or inside the Cathedral.

Accessibility for the service

Is there level access to the cathedral?

There is level access to the Cathedral. Stewards will be able to direct those attending to the service to the nearest level access entry and exit.

Is there a hearing loop in the cathedral?

The Cathedral is equipped with a hearing loop system that covers the Cathedral floor and the OBE Chapel in the crypt. This is used at all services for spoken word elements.

Travel to the Service

Will there be any road closures? Are the local stations open?

Some road closures are in place near the Cathedral. Please visit tfl.gov.uk to plan your journey and follow the directions of the Police in the area.

Is there parking at the Cathedral?

There is no parking available at the Cathedral. The Cathedral recommends using public transport to travel to the service wherever possible. There is likely to be some road closures in place near the Cathedral. Please visit the City of London website for information on parking facilities in the City of London.

General Information

Will it be possible to look around the Cathedral after the service?

No, it will not be possible. The Cathedral will be closed to sightseeing and private worship after the service. The Cathedral will reopen for private prayer and services the next day.

What will happen after the service?

The Cathedral will close after the service of Prayer and Reflection and reopen the next day. Please check the British Monarchy website and the Government website for more information about events taking place elsewhere in the coming days.

Will there be other events at St Paul’s in the coming days to mark the passing of Her Majesty the Queen?

Further details about events taking place elsewhere to mark the passing of Her Majesty the Queen will be announced by the Royal Household in due course. Check the British Monarchy website and the Government website for more information about events in the coming days.

Is the State Funeral happening at St Paul’s?

Details of the State Funeral will be announced by the Royal Household in due course. Check the British Monarchy website and the Government website for more information about events taking place elsewhere in the coming days.

Will there be a book of condolence at St Paul’s? 

Yes, there will be Books of Condolence available at the Cathedral from Saturday 10th September. There is an online Book of Condolence is available on the Church of England website or the British Monarchy website.

Can I lay flowers at the Cathedral?

No. It is not possible to lay flowers or tributes inside or outside the Cathedral before, during or after the service. There is a dedicated space for flowers and tributes at The Green Park near Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA.