The first members of the public yesterday began claiming vantage points for the Queen Mother's funeral procession, preparing to wait on the chilly streets for more than 48 hours.

The moves came as thousands continued to pour through Westminster Hall last night.

It is now estimated that more than 100,000 people have queued around the clock to pay their respects at the coffin as it lies in state, the numbers suprising the Duke of York, who met people at the head of the queue yesterday.

Today, the Queen is expected to thank the public in an address to the nation with a eulogy for her mother, as the Queen Mother's four grandsons - Charles, Andrew, Edward and David Linley - mount a solemn vigil at her coffin.

At the weekend, Prince William and Prince Harry gave their own personal tribute to the Queen Mother, providing an extraordinary insight into her sense of fun.

As cathedrals and churches across the country held a series of special services, it was confirmed that Camilla Parker Bowles, the Prince of Wales's partner, will attend the funeral, as well as 25 foreign royals and the US President's wife, Laura Bush.

Thousands of shops across the country will close tomorrow morning, and a series of industrial disputes are being put on hold this week as a mark of respect by unions towards the Queen Mother.

Of the people who had already camped out for the funeral, Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Trotter said: "The British are particularly good at queuing.

"The ones that concern me are the people who aren't well prepared. It was very cold last night."

He added: "We are gratified at this remarkable display of affection for the Queen Mother and we have been more than proud to take part in it."