‘She’s not dead’: man charged after bizarre claim at Westminster Hall

A man was arrested as Queen Elizabeth II Lay in State, after making a wild conspiracy theory about her death.

A man who believed the Queen was still alive has appeared in court, arrested after trying to grab the flag from Her Majesty’s coffin, according to reports.

The Sun reports 28-year-old Muhammad Khan was charged with two breaches of the Public Order Act, after allegedly trying to lift the Royal Standard from Queen Elizabeth’s coffin, having left the queue to see her lying in state.

Man Grabs Queen Elizabeth’s Coffin At Westminster Hall Lying In State, Quickly Arrested by the security. The late Queen will continue to lie in state in Westminster Hall until the morning of her funeral on Monday. #BreakingNews#QueenElizabeth#VIGILpic.twitter.com/CRG25CB7a2

— News Log (@NewsLog) September 17, 2022

The Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard Khan had been one of around 250,000 people who queued for hours on the banks of the Thames to catch a glimpse of Her Majesty’s coffin in Westminster Hall.

Prosecutor Luke Staton said the defendant had reached Westminster Hall before officers saw him approach the coffin, The Sun said.

Members of the public pay their respects as they pass the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it Lies in State inside Westminster Hall. Picture: Getty Images

“He stepped off the carpet in the direction of the catafalque, then grabbed hold of the Royal Standard flag draped over the coffin with both of his hands,” Mr Staton told the court.

The court also heard Khan believed the Queen was not really dead and approached the coffin to “check for himself”.

“He did say, prior to the state funeral, he was planning on going to the funeral,” Mr Staton said.

More than 250,000 people queued to walk past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre. Picture: AFP

“He planned to write to the royal family and if they did not reply he planned to go to Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and Balmoral to try to speak to the Queen.”

He said Khan considered trespassing on the royal residences if he received no reply.

Doctors declared Khan unfit to participate in the trial due to mental illness, including suffering from delusions.

Judge Michael Snow said Khan was still delusional.

A man was arrested for trying to grab the flag from Her Majesty’s coffin as it Lay in State. Picture: Getty Images

“And thinks the Queen is not dead, thinks King Charles has something to do with it and may go to Windsor Castle to pay his respects but also because he still thinks she is alive.”

Khan was granted bail on the condition her stays in a mental health hospital until his next court date on 18 October, reports The Sun.

Khan isn’t alone in his believe the Queen is alive and well. On Monday, Mark Hague, 52, admitted a charge under Section 5 of the Public Order Act after he was escorted from the queue in Victoria Tower Gardens on Saturday morning.

A mourner raised the alarm after Hague was heard to say: “I will tell her to get out of her f****** coffin because she’s not dead.”

Originally published as ‘She’s not dead’: man charged after bizarre claim at Westminster Hall