Queen helped design hearse so her people could see her coffin

The Queen had her people in mind when she helped plan special details of her funeral.

In another incredible moment of many, the Queen’s coffin illuminated inside the bespoke hearse she helped design, as it wound its way in fading light to London early on Wednesday morning.

The monarch, who knew people would come out to see her coffin, wanted to make sure they were not disappointed, even if it was at night.

The lighting design was a feature the Queen had signed off on and which made for extraordinary scenes as the hearse travelled to Buckingham Palace, along busy commuter routes, where drivers abandoned their cars to witness the spectacle.

The new state hearse was designed by the Royal Household and Jaguar Land Rover, and the Queen was “consulted on the plans”, according to the palace.

Along with wide windows along the side and back and a see-through glass roof, three bright spotlights ensured that her coffin could be seen during the evening drive.

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is taken in a royal hearse to Buckingham Palace. Picture: Marco Bertorello/WPA Pool/Getty Images

And so it was on a drizzly, dark night, that her passing hearse stopped traffic along the A40.

Unlike every other day of the week, these motorists were in no hurry to get home.

Many got out of their cars along the and stood in the central reservation to witness the historic moment.

The official car, which made its debut appearance on Wednesday, was finished in Royal Claret, the traditional colour for royal vehicles kept at Buckingham Palace.

Those who made it were also responsible for the Queen’s husband, Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh’s hearse, which was actually a converted Land Rover, for which he also personally oversaw its design too.

The Queen’s body, which had earlier on Tuesday been lying in state in Edinburgh, was flown to RAF Northalt, before making its way to Buckingham Palace.

Early Thursday morning AEST, her body will be moved to Westminster Hall where she will lie in state for four days, before her official funeral.