A man who appeared to grab the flag draped over the Queen's coffin as she lay in state wanted to check she was dead, court hears
Muhammad Khan, 28, allegedly left the queue in Westminster Hall on Friday night while the monarch was lying in state as the live feed briefly cut away.
Prosecutor Luke Staton said Khan had been among around 250,000 people who filed through the hall between 5pm Wednesday until early Monday morning to pay their respects after queuing for hours along the banks of the River Thames. "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."Meghan and Harry stayed in Windsor last night but will 'fly home to be with their children in California ASAP'"The defendant did express the idea that the Queen is not dead and that he approached the coffin because he wanted to check for himself," said Mr Staton.
District Judge Michael Snow did not ask questions of Khan, who was not represented by a lawyer, after doctors had assessed him as not fit to take part in proceedings.The court heard he was suffering from delusions and the judge told him: "At the time when you were in Westminster you didn't accept that the Queen was dead and that was the reason you were moving towards the coffin to satisfy yourself that she was.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kate greets Zelensky's wife at Buckingham Palace after she paid tribute to QueenPreisdent Zelensky's First Lady is representing Ukraine for the Queen's funeral proceedings after invitation.
Read more »
Watch the touching moment Tyson Fury pays respect to the Queen outside Buckingham PalaceTouching video footage has emerged of the moment Tyson Fury paid his respects to the Queen by laying flowers outside Buckingham Palace along with wife Paris.
Read more »
Why the Queen chose to live at Windsor Castle over Buckingham PalaceQueen Elizabeth II chose to reside at Windsor Castle over the lavish 775 room Buckingham Palace in the heart of the capital - find out why.
Read more »
Unseen portrait of The Queen released by Palace ahead of final farewellBuckingham Palace released the portrait of Queen Elizabeth smiling on the eve of her funeral
Read more »
The best books to read about the Queen, from The Palace Papers to The Secret GuestsFrom historical biographies to gossipy tell-alls via alt-history novels, there's a Queen Elizabeth II book for everyone
Read more »