As a fitting tribute to 70 years of Royal service, the State Funeral for Her Majesty the Queen was watched by billions of people worldwide. The reverence shown - and the historical significance of this occasion - will live in their memory for a lifetime.
Here’s a reminder of how this much-loved Head of State, Nation and Commonwealth, and royal family matriarch was laid to rest.
Many thousands of military and police personnel were involved in the highly respectful events that followed Her Majesty’s passing on 8th September 2022. This included twenty-one gun salutes across the UK, two days afterwards as the new King was proclaimed. There was also a prayer service at London's St Paul's Cathedral in the days following her death - attended by senior politicians - when God Save The King was sung for the first time.
On 11th September, Her Majesty began her final journey, travelling from Balmoral to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. This is the monarch's official residence in Scotland. The following day, accompanied by her four children, Queen Elizabeth was taken in procession to St Giles' Cathedral, for a service of celebration and a Scottish Lying in State.
Courtesy of YouTube
The State Funeral for Her Majesty was conducted at Westminster Abbey on 19th September. 2,000 guests included an unprecedented number of heads of state, ministers, diplomats and members of other royal families, as well as people who enjoyed Queen Elizabeth’s recent patronages and awards.
At the conclusion of service, Her Majesty’s coffin was transported in solemn splendour across London on the State Gun Carriage, pulled and supported by Royal Navy sailors, and accompanied by the King, and other family members. At Wellington Arch, Her Majesty was transferred to a Royal Hearse she helped design.
From London, Her Majesty was taken to Windsor Castle. The Long Walk procession to St George’s Chapel memorably featured Her Majesty's fell Pony, Emma and corgis, Muick and Sandy.
The 800 guests at the committal service in the Chapel included members of The Queen’s Household and close relatives. At the close, The Queen’s Coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault.
Finally, Queen Elizabeth II was buried in the presence of her closest family, alongside the Duke of Edinburgh in The King George VI Memorial Chapel.
