Westminster cleaners get standing ovation as they walk ahead of Queen’s Procession
By Jacob Phillips, Local Democracy Reporter
Westminster cleaners received a standing ovation after preparing the streets of Central London for the procession of the Queen’s coffin.
Four-person deep crowds gave council cleaners a huge round of applause and cheers as they marched through Whitehall ahead of the late monarch’s coffin leaving Buckingham Palace for Westminster Hall.
The UK has been rocked by the death of its longest reigning monarch on Thursday, September 8, and the Queen will lie in state at Westminster Hall until her funeral on Monday.
A video of the heartfelt moment shows crowds whooping and clapping as a group of 17 cleaners make their way through Whitehall on Parliament Street.
Sarah Jane-Sewell captured the moment from her office window.
Applause from the crowds breaks out for the @CityWestminster workers who’ve been cleaning and prepping the streets this morning. pic.twitter.com/hxvFM7FoAK
— Sarah-jane Sewell (@sarahjanesewell) September 14, 2022
The Parliamentary worker also captured shots of the Queen’s coffin as it travelled past her office.
After watching the event Sarah said: “I’m not sure I can find the words to describe the emotions I’ve felt this afternoon. God Save The King.”
Around one million visitors are expecting to queue to pay their respects and see the Queen lie in state. Waits of up to 30 hours have been predicted and mourners are expected to form a five-mile queue along Southbank.
A second video taken by Sarah shows Westminster council workers covering Parliament Square with sand in preparation for further Royal events.
Westminster City Council cleaners are usually incredibly busy as the autumn months draw in. The council’s cleaning team and contractors Veolia usually spend seven weeks clearing Central London’s streets of leaves each year.
Staff clear away around 1,000 tonnes of leaves in that period, that have fallen in areas like Hyde Park, Green Park and Victoria Embankment Gardens – outside Parliament.
They also clear up after special events and a huge clean-up operation was also needed following the Euros 2020 final.
Veolia cleaners spent 19 hours tidying up Leicester Square and areas of Central London and Wembley after England lost to Italy in a heartbreaking penalty shootout. Items included uprooted trees and smashed windows.
Pictured top: A screenshot of the cleaners marching down Whitehall (Picture: Sarah-Jane Sewell)