Could we get an actual explanation as to why the queue can't be used?

[Vinge]

Maybe because Lich, the last added EU server, has never been closed even once since it was installed? Let's not complain just for the sake of complaining please.
That you wanna join an overcrowded server is one issue, the unavailability of space on EU servers is another.

Lich is shut to new character creation every evening and most of the time at weekends. Every EU server is overcrowded.

And the issues are linked, people being unable to play with friends on EU servers is directly related to the general unavailability of space on EU servers.