LIVE updates as huge queues form to see Queen's coffin lying in state as Manchester prepares for royal visit

Manchester will welcome The Earl and Countess of Wessex today as thousands of mourners in London queue to see Queen Elizabeth II's coffin lying in-state.

Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex will visit Manchester Central Library this morning, before moving on to St Ann’s Square to view the tributes left by members of the public for the Queen. They will then visit Manchester Cathedral to view their books of condolence and light a candle in memory of Her Majesty.

The royals will be greeted at Central Library by a number of Manchester's significant civic figures, including Council Leader Bev Craig, Lord Mayor of Manchester Cllr Donna Ludford and Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Diane Hawkins, who will give introductory addresses. High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Lorraine Worsley-Carter will then read the proclamation, before the Earl and Countess move onto St Anne's Square. There they will meet volunteers involved with managing the tributes and meet mourners in the square. From there, they will travel to Manchester Cathedral to view the book of condolence.

In London, the lying-in-state queue is more than two-and-a-half miles long according to an update at 7.53am. It has been moving at around half a mile per hour. Westminster Hall is expected to be visited by up to one million mourners in the coming days.

Scroll down for live updates throughout the day...

Manchester Evening News reporter Stephen Topping travelled to London and joined the queue to see the Queen lying in state yesterday.

Here is his experience.