Blunt verdict on the Queue jumpers: You missed the whole point!

HAVING served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces – even guarding the Queen Mother’s coffin before her funeral in 2002 – soldier-turned-pop-star James Blunt’s allegiance to the monarchy has never been in doubt.

Now, after spending nine hours lining up with members of the public to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall, the You’re Beautiful singer has had a dig at those who jumped ‘the Queue’, stressing that the whole point was to dedicate a day on your feet to pay one’s respects.

‘The queue was deeply moving in itself, and the act of respect was in the queue,’ the 48-yearold told me.

James, who was joined on the marathon vigil by his wife Sofia Wellesley, granddaughter of the 8th Duke of Wellington, also said it was a bonding experience, chatting with other families in the snaking line.

‘I made many, many friends, genuinely, and actually it became very hard to then leave that little group of people who you had got to know because it felt like we’ve really been on a journey,’ James added when I caught up with him at the 21st birthday party of trendy Notting Hill restaurant e&o last week.

James was not the only celebrity to queue with the public, of course – former footballer David Beckham turned down a VIP pass and waited 12 hours to pay his respects, saying it was what his grandfather would have done.

Meanwhile Phillip Schofield and

Holly Willoughby remain embroiled in a very public backlash after allegations that they ‘queuejumped’ at Westminster Hall.

A petition demanding the pair lose their jobs presenting ITV’s This Morning over the furore has gathered more than 65,000 signatures.

Mind you, Schofield and Willoughby wouldn’t be the first celebs to think queueing is only for the hoi polloi.

I’m told that Holly’s pal James Corden recently persuaded famous London toy store Hamley’s to open an hour early so that he, his three children and his dad could have the whole shop all to themselves.