Responding to criticism on social media that they had skipped the queue stretching for miles across London, the This Morning co-hosts said their visit was “strictly for reporting”. ITV said they had attended to film a segment for Tuesday’s show. Images emerged on Friday of the presenters inside Westminster Hall, but critics said it was unfair that they had not lined up with almost a quarter of a million others. Other media and MPs were able to skip the line and gain access to Westminster Hall during the Queen’s four days in state. When This Morning returned to ITV after the state funeral on Monday, the couple acknowledged the criticism but said they had respected the rules set for the media. During a special episode reflecting on the days since the Queen’s death, Willoughby said in a voiceover: “Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists, we have been given official permission to access the room. It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for the millions of people in the UK who were unable to visit Westminster in person.” Willoughby added that unlike those paying their respects who walked through a carpeted area and were given time to pause, the couple were escorted to a platform at the back. “None of the broadcasters and journalists took anyone’s place in the queue and no one passed the Queen. Of course we respected those rules,” he said. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “However, we realize it may have looked like something else and therefore fully understand the backlash. Please know that we would never queue.” This Morning previously hinted at the visit in a statement posted to Instagram on Saturday, saying: “We asked Phillip and Holly to take part in a film for this Tuesday’s programme. They didn’t skip the queue, get VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state – but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the global media to cover the event.’ Schofield would not comment on the reaction, but said watching the Queen lie down was one of the “most profound moments” of his life. A parliamentary spokesman confirmed that media accreditation was granted to journalists who requested access to Westminster Hall “in order to report on the event for the millions of people in the UK and worldwide who were unable to visit Westminster in person”.
