'The Casketeers' in London for 'the funeral of the century'

The queue to view the Queen lying in state is now closed to newcomers, as attention turns to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth the Second.

Hundreds-of-thousands of people have filed past the coffin in silence and world leaders have joined the public to pay their respects to the late monarch.

Tonight, Westminster Abbey will be the setting for the historic event which will be on a scale not seen in Britain since the death of the Queen's father King George VI, 70 years ago in 1952.

In attendence will be members of a New Zealand delegation chosen by the government who are among 500 other heads of state and government, and foreign dignitaries.

The funeral starts at 10 o'clock our time tonight.

Crowds are already packed along the funeral procession route hoping to see the casket.

Among many who waited to see the queen lying in state - were Kaiora and Francis Tipene, directors of Tipene Funerals who are also known for their show, The Casketeers.

Māni Dunlop caught up with them at the end of a very long day where they had just been with the Aotearoa delegation.