British television network ITV was forced to issue an official statement denying that two television stars, Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield, had bypassed citizens who waited for hours in long lines, to take a farewell look at the Queen's coffin, the Daily Telegraph reported. Elizabeth II, who has settled for days in a hall in the Palace of Westminster.
A large number of Britons and visitors gathered in long queues to bid farewell to the late Queen, whose coffin is resting in the Palace of Westminster, until the national funeral on Monday.
According to British media, the queues were so long, that one day they exceeded 5 kilometers, which prompted the authorities to suspend waiting in queues for some time.
British celebrities arrived to greet the Queen's coffin, and spent many hours waiting, including former football star David Beckham, who waited with his compatriots for about 13 hours before entering the hall.
In its statement, the "ITV" network said that the presence of its two stars in the place was at the request of the network that produces a film about the queen and her coffin and the visitors who came to bid her farewell, stressing that they did not commit any violation, and did not exceed those waiting in the long queues.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the television network was keen to clarify that Holly and Philip had a special license (VIP) to enter the hall without having to wait in line, given that they are media professionals.
Many Britons expressed their indignation at what the two very popular TV stars did and had previously won several awards, and the angry stressed on social media that the two stars had to set an example and abide by the values they preach to citizens every morning, by waiting with those waiting instead of getting a privilege. special to bypass them.
David Beckham joined the queue with members of the public for 12 hours.
I have far more respect for him for doing that than I do for those who used the fast-track VIP line, like Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
Queue jumping is the worst British insult.
pic.twitter.com/RElcrd08BC
— Chris Rose (@ArchRose90) September 16, 2022
On the other hand, the British praised the keenness of some stars - including Beckham - to stand in line for long hours with the citizens, and the football star told the media that he came to take a look at the Queen's coffin on behalf of himself and his family, especially his grandparents who loved her.
The Daily Telegraph said that the two TV stars, Holly and Philip, were given a special entry accreditation for being media professionals, but they did not join the journalists' place inside the hall, but were directed to a special place for VIPs.