King Charles III, his sorrow-stricken relatives and friends surrounded Queen Victoria’s coffin in Westminster Abbey for her state funeral. It was a powerful and moving farewell.
As Britain grieved the death of its longest-serving monarch, Her Majesty made the most difficult journey to Westminster Abbey via Westminster Hall. The royals also said goodbye to their beloved grandmother, great-grandmother and mother.
The Queen was buried in the most important British church. It had 2,000 guests, including presidents and prime ministers.
This was a very emotional moment for Britain and the entire world. The Queen was carried by her husband, the King, in an oak coffin. She was then followed by the Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex and other relatives through Parliament Square. Andrew, Duke of York appeared to be in tears. Outside the Abbey an estimated 2million people are in central London along procession routes and watching on big screens.
At 10.45am the State Gun Carriage, carrying Queen Elizabeth’s coffin, began its funeral procession. It arrived at Westminster Abbey just before 11am. The service began at Westminster Abbey with a single sound from Big Ben, which is where queens and kings are crowned every year since 1066.
Despite large crowds, there were only 200 musicians and drummers of the Scottish and Irish Regiments as well as those of the Brigade of Gurkhas (RAF) who played silently as the procession walked through Parliament Square. A lament was sung by the Queen’s piper, echoing through London.
The King, his siblings and Peter Phillips walked behind the carriage, along with the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex. The State Gun Carriage also served as a vehicle for King Edward VII, King George V. King George VI and Winston Churchill’s funerals.
The crowd remained silent as the State Gun Carriage transporting the Queen’s coffin moved slowly past Parliament Square. Momentarily quiet, the crowd was about 10 people thick at places. Tens to thousands were out in the streets to pay their respects to the monarch and capture a rare moment in time.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and the Queen Consort traveled to Westminster Abbey together in the same vehicle as the Queen consort. The Princess of Wales also arrived with them. They arrived shortly after several of Princess Beatrice’s grandchildren, as well as Princess Eugenie, at Westminster Abbey.
World leaders including Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron arrived at Westminster Abbey around an hour before the service began. As Her Majesty entered, the congregation of 2000 sat silently in solemn silence.
King Charles requested flowers to decorate the wreath that will adorn Queen Elizabeth’s coffin. These flowers were selected for their symbolism and have been taken from Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, Highgrove House.
As they bid farewell to Britain’s Queen, the Royal Family stands and sings
King Charles III. Camilla, Queen Consort. Prince Andrew. Prince Edward. Prince William. Prince George. Prince Harry. Prince Harry. Prince Harry. Prince George. Prince George. Prince Harry. Prince Harry. Prince Harry. Prince Harry. Prince Harry. Prince Harry. Prince Harry. Prince George. Prince George. Prince George. Prince George. Prince George. Prince George. Prince George. Prince George. Prince George. Prince Michael. Kent. Prince Phillips.
The view in Westminster Abbey above the Queen – where she married and was crowned more than 70 years ago
The Bearer Party carries Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin with the Imperial State Crown on its top into Westminster Abbey, past the Unknown Soldier.
After the Queen has been placed at the altar, Prince Charles enters the Abbey with an emotion.
The mourning relatives of Her Majesty are present as she is taken into the funeral.
Top: Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin with the Imperial State Crown.
For her state funeral, today’s Queen is being carried to Westminster Abbey (where she had her wedding and coronation)
Prior to the first hymn, John Ellerton’s ‘The Day thou Gavest, Lord’ has been sung, the Dean of Windsor bids. This song, which invokes one day and one era leading into the next, was written by John Ellerton.
He said to them: “Here is Queen Elizabeth’s wedding and coronation. Here, we gather from across America, Canada, and other nations to mourn her loss and to recall her life of selfless service. And in certain confidence, to give her over to God the redeemer.”
Following the Bidding, Baroness Scotland will deliver the First Lesson to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth’s life of service and dedication to the Commonwealth family.
It is taken directly from Corinthians 15.’.
King Charles provided flowers for the wreath to be affixed to Queen Victoria’s coffin.
The flowers and foliage were taken from Buckingham Palace’s gardens, Clarence House, and Highgrove House. They have been selected for their symbolic value.
These include rosemary for rememberance and myrtle from a plant that was cut from the myrtle sprig in Queen Elizabeth’s wedding bouquet. Myrtle is a traditional symbol of happy marriage.
English oak, which symbolizes strength and love, is also included, as well as pelargoniums to represent the power of love, garden roses, fallal hydrangeas, sedums, dahlias, and scabious.
To reflect the Royal Standard, these are available in shades of pink, gold and deep burgundy with touches of light white.
Her final trip from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey begins as the Queen
Pallbearers carried the oak coffin of the monarch, carrying her crown and orb.
Prince Edward, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew walk behind their mother to the abbey
As the Duke of Sussex followed Prince Andrew, Prince Andrew was in tears.
Prince Harry, Duke and Duchess of Sussex stands beside King Charles, Anne Princess Royal, William Prince of Wales as they salute at the state funeral
A scene of extraodinary grief and Majesty sees the Queen move through Parliament Square
From Westminster Hall, the King and his family marche to Westminster Abbey.
As the Queen, this is an extraordinary scene from Westminster Abbey
Kate provides support to George and Charlotte when they arrive at Abbey.
Prince George and Prince Charlotte join their mother, The Princess of Wales as they walk into Westminster Abbey today for the service.
Meghan, Duchess Sussex arrives to the State Funeral
As the Queen prepares to arrive, Westminster Abbey is packed
The Prince William and Princess of Wales were followed by their children George, Charlotte and Charlotte into Parliament Square. There was much cheering and clapping. Minutes later, King Charles III (and Queen Consort), Camilla appeared.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled down The Mall with a police escort. Harry appeared sombre while being driven by a Range Rover on Wellington Arch to Constitution Hill. The Range Rover then took him down The Mall toward St James’ Palace.
He then stood side by side with his brother, before the royals entered Westminster Hall, where the Queen had been lying in state.
The UK’s most important church began filling up from 8am as the congregation arrived up to three hours early – including Kate Middleton’s parents – as huge crowds of mourners packed the procession route outside and tens of thousands more went to Windsor, where Her Majesty will be buried later.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and the Queen Consort traveled to Westminster Abbey together in the same vehicle as the Queen consort. The Princess of Wales also arrived with them. The couple arrived in the church just after Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and other grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth.
Michael and Carole Middleton were among hundreds of VIPs who arrived at the UK’s most important church Where Her Majesty got married Prince Philip and had her coronation.
2,000 royals, world leaders and hundreds of members of the public have began filing into the Abbey as billions around the world will watch Her Majesty’s state funeral.
Many VIPs traveled by coach to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, where they met before getting on the bus for Central London. The first to arrive were British ministers, past and present. The US President Jo Biden, however, went to The Abbey with The Beast, his bombproof limousine.
Carole and Michael Middleton (the parents of Kate the Princess of Wales) arrived at the service two hours earlier than expected. Tom Parker Bowles followed, the son to Queen Consort Camilla. Even though they were close to the Royal Family, they also shared a bus. Bear Grylls, a TV personality, was one of the celebrities at the funeral.
The abbey’s funeral flowers featured myrtle, which as royal tradition was also used in Queen Elizabeth’s wedding bouquet. Asiatic lilies were used in large displays of white and bright green blooms, including gladioli and alstroemeria.
The four yellow tall candles, which are usually placed around the tomb of an unknown soldier at the church’s entrance, will be found in the vicinity of the coffin.
Outside royal supporters defied the no-camping rules as everyone set up tents and deck chairs to secure premium seats. The spectacle will bring 2million people into London. The procession was already full by 8.30am, so members of the public began to divert people to Hyde Park where they could watch the spectacle on big screen.
With Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and the Queen’s Consort, today’s Princess of Wales arrives by car at Westminster Abbey to attend the Queen’s Funeral.
Yesterday, sources confirmed that George (nine) and Charlotte (seven), would join the Prince, Princess and Prince of Wales.
‘As parents they have, of course, thought long and hard about whether their children should accompany them,’ a source said. “Officially, Louis is too young. However, they feel George and Charlotte will be able to handle the responsibility.”
George, Charlotte, and Catherine travel on the Mall from Westminster Abbey to the Mall in a car that is accompanied by Camilla, Queen Consort.
George, Charlotte and Catherine ride along with Camilla the Queen Consort in a car as they journey from the Mall to Westminster Abbey.
Norway’s King Harald V (85 years old) is seen walking alongside his wife, Queen Sonja, as he enters Westminster Hall.
Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister, appears a bit sombre while he walks into Westminster Hall along with Sarah Brown.
Spain’s exiled King Juan Carols (84) makes his way to Westminster Hall alongside his wife, former Queen Sofia
Wang Qishan is China’s vice-president and arrives today at Westminster Abbey to attend the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II.
The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth I is underway when King Charles III appears on The Mall.
Prince William of Wales and his family arrive at Westminster Hall. Charlotte was right next to her dad. George was at the back
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess, of Sussex, arrive
On the day of Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral and burial, Joe Biden (the President of the United States) and Jill Biden (the First Lady) arrive.
Long lines of mourners throng the UK’s largest church
The Queen arrived at her coffin with the congregation several hours earlier than they had expected.
This morning, Liz Truss, Prime Minister of Liz Truss, arrives at Westminster Abbey to attend the service
For the morning service, Theresa May (former prime minister) and Philip May (her husband), arrive at Westminster Abbey.
Prior to the state funeral, Princess Alexandra The Honourable Lady Ogilvy arrived at Westminster Abbey
Penelope Knatchbull – Countess Mountbatten, Burma – was a friend of Prince Philip and the Queen at the Abbey
U.S. President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden are present at the State Funeral
Yesterday, the Macrons reached Paris from where they visited Queen Elizabeth II in her state room.
Today, the French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron entered the Abbey as leaders from around world gathered to bid farewell
Boris Johnson (former prime minister) and Carrie Johnson (wife), arrive at Westminster Abbey today
David Cameron (former prime minister) and Samantha, his wife, outside Westminster Abbey this morning
Today’s State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey is attended by Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister.
The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, spoke with clergy upon his arrival at the funeral
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro (right), with his wife Michelle Bolsonaro arriving at Westminster Abbey this morning
Carole and Michael Middleton, the parents of Princess of Wales Kate arrived at the funeral two hours earlier than expected.
Tom Parker-Bowles (son of Queen Consort Camilla) is one of the 2,000 guests invited today. Pictured with his wife Sara
Queen Letizia of Spain and the King of Spain King Felipe VI head for Westminster Abbey
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog is in London at Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
Tom Parker Bowles is at Westminster Abbey this morning, ahead of the Queen Elizabeth II state funeral
India Hicks, King Charles III’s goddaughter arrives at Westminster Abbey today for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. Lady Pamela Mountbatten seems to be in a wheelchair. The 93 year old is a first cousin of Prince Philip and a bridesmaid when Elizabeth wed Philip at the Abbey in 1947
Jacob Rees Mogg enters Westminster Abbey, as Britain mourns Queen Elizabeth II.
Nadhim Zahawi, a British minister, was one of the first to visit the Abbey. He was followed by Ben Wallace (Defense Secretary) shortly after.
Kit Malthouse, Secretary of State for Education arrives at Westminster Abbey
Bear Grylls makes waves at the Queen Elizabeth II state funeral and burial outside Westminster Abbey.
Sylvia Bongo Ondimba arrives at Westminster Abbey this morning as the First Lady of Gabon.
Today’s Queen’s Funeral is ahead of The Abbey
Penny Mordaunt, the Commons Leader arrives at Westminster Abbey today ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral
This morning, Jacob Rees Mogg (Business Secretary) and Kit Malthouse (Education Secretary) arrive at Westminster Abbey
Keir Starmer, British Labour Party leader, at Westminster Abbey on the day for Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral and burial
William Hague, a former Conservative leader, walks in the Abbey
Christopher Geidt, the Prime Minister’s Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests, and Emma Charlotte Angela Neill arrive at Westminster Abbey
Chris Whitty is the Chief Medical Officer and takes his place in the Abbey
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Chris Heaton-Harris, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, arrived with VIPs on a coach
Sir Nick Clegg, a former MP and Facebook executive followed Ed Davey, leader of the Lib Dems
Alok Sharma, president of Cop26 arrives at Westminster Abbey today ahead of Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral
On a dark day in the world, two guests meet up to greet each other with a hug & a kiss.
Ian Blackford, leader of the SNP Westminster, arrives at Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral
At 8:15 this morning, congregations wait patiently in queues to gain entry into the Abbey
David Morgan Hewitt, also known as ‘Mr David,’ was from Belgravia’s Goring Hotel. He was there to greet the Queen upon her arrival and was even present at today’s funeral
Representatives from the British Military were present at Westminster Abbey today for Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral
At 8:15 am, Westminster Abbey’s doors opened ahead of the arrival the first mourners to the Queen’s funeral. Two soldiers waited at the gate of Abbey while the King’s Guards rushed through, and two of them were stationed near the steel gates.
Amid concerns that London will be ‘full’ today – and a lack of hotel rooms – scores of people began bedding in to line The Mall in central London over the weekend, despite rules – seemingly loosely enforced – preventing people from setting up camp.
Campers were asked to remove their tents this morning by the stewards before sunrise. Massive crowds are also gathering in Windsor to see the Queen buried tonight.
Several who slept in central London overnight said friends and family told them they were ‘mad’ to carry out the overnight vigil, but insisted they would not miss the occasion.
Christine Manning from Leek, Staffordshire was one of the group. Dianne Donohue, also from Leek, Staffordshire, was another.
A view of Westminster Abbey before The State Funeral Of Queen Elizabeth 2 on September 19
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London and Saadiya Khan are among those who arrived at Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral this morning.
This morning, the Vatican’s two Cardinals arrive at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
Today’s funeral services for Queen Elizabeth II will be attended by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng
Pranav Bhanot (father-of-two), from Chigwell, Essex was honored for his support of people during the pandemic. He helped to provide 1,200 meals free and Nancy O’Neill arrived at Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral today.
William Hague (former Tory leader) attends the State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen at Westminster Abbey today
While waiting for Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral Procession on Whitehall, people take photos
Mrs Donohoe, a retired housewife and grandmother-of-three, said: ‘Yes, the advice was not to camp but we disobeyed. We’ve had a good catch-up, we’ve enjoyed it.
‘We were sleeping in the tent and at 4.30am I woke up and asked Chris if she was awake, she was, so we had a whisky and lemonade and a pork pie. A couple more hours’ sleep, then onto the prosecco.
‘We had to take our tent down at 7am because the police told us to, but we couldn’t do it, so we had to get some lad to help us.
‘We’re out of pork pies sadly but we’ve got sausage rolls, and we’ve got some gin now the whisky’s run out – we’re chipper.’
Miss Manning, a retired waitress, added: ‘My kids said we were mad.
‘Well, “mental” is the word they used. We were stupid for doing such a thing, they said.
‘I said it had to be done.’
Shannon Carroll (Windsor Castle warden), 27, along with Samantha Geraghty (24) and Heidi (26) were among those who reached the top on the Long Walk. She declined to reveal her name.
Shannon shared with MailOnline that they arrived in London at 6am, having walked from Maidenhead to their home.
She added:‘I’m here to pay my respects to an incredible woman who also happens to be my boss. I’ve worked at the Castle for five years and it’s the least I can do.
‘The Queen was a great employer and an inspirational leader. I don’t think we will ever see anyone like her again.’
The group was wrapped in Union Flags and camped on chairs for the night in London to attend the funeral
People camp out in Parliament Square and Whitehall at night to wait for the funeral
Whitehall Tents in shadow of Women of World War II commemoration this morning
Horse Guards are waiting for the State Funeral Of Queen Elizabeth 2 and mourners wrapped in blankets. Numerous people have camped.
In the lead up to the first state funeral in almost 60-years, many people had slept on couches and on tables wrapped in blankets.
The Mall, near Buckingham Palace was the site of an overnight camp by members of public in preparation for a State Funeral.
London’s sleeping line was long and extended towards Green Park, St James’ Park.
London’s Procession Route is graced by the Pearly King & Queen
Shannon said:’I queued up for 12 hours overnight Friday into Saturday and that was a very poignant and sombre experience.
‘It was incredibly quiet and still but it was at the same time very respectful and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.’
Heidi said:’We are prepared for the day with snacks and drinks and it looks like it will stay dry. As the procession makes its way up the Long Walk, we will be able to see it enter the castle.
‘When we go here there were quite a few people here already but up the front where we are was surprisingly empty. I think we have the best spot to see history in the making.’
Samantha stated that it was a slow start, but worth the effort. The view will be spectacular, but it will mean that we have to see the actual funeral on our phones.
Today’s morning Mourners camped near Parliament Square
In the midst of already large crowds, street cleaning is done in preparation for Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral Procession.
Yesterday’s bustling activity on the Mall included people arriving to place flowers, to see Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade and to grab their views for the procession from Westminster to Windsor.
Tim Thompson, 35 from New Brunswick (Canada), and Charlie Shirley 36 from north London slept in tents on the Mall.
The pair became friends after being sat next to each other for William and Kate’s wedding in 2011, and resumed their same spot together on Saturday.
Miss Shirley said: ‘We do all the royal events together, it’s like we’re a family.
‘I saw Tim at the Queen’s Jubilee and we said that the next time we see each other would probably be at the Queen’s funeral – we didn’t expect it to be three months later.’
Mr Thompson said: ‘I keep four days’ holiday a year for royal events, so I had to be here.’
American businesswoman Nicole Alford, 40, paid around £1,300 for a last-minute flight to London on Thursday, and said she would camp out until after the funeral.
She said: ‘You don’t come all this way and then watch it on the TV. The front seat of history is what I desire.
‘My mom said: “I can’t believe you’re doing that.”
‘I said: “I can’t believe you didn’t think I would do that.”
‘Everybody thinks I’m crazy, but I managed five-and-a-half hours’ uninterrupted sleep on my first night camping out here, so I’m fine.’
Semi-retired teacher Ian Rhodes, 66, and his wife Sue, 58, from Alton in Staffordshire, arrived at the Mall at 11am yesterday (SUN) to claim their spot – although they said they would sleep in deckchairs rather than pitch a tent.
Mr Rhodes said: ‘The only other time I’ve queued overnight for anything was when Stoke City got to Wembley for the cup final in 1972, and I waited overnight at the club shop with my friends to get tickets.
‘People have said we’re mad, but sanity is relative.’
Mrs Rhodes said the couple’s two adult sons were a bit concerned about their parents ‘roughing it’ overnight in London, but said: ‘I told them we were going to do it anyway – when has their mother ever done what she was told?’
Paulette Galley from Boston, Lincolnshire said that she wanted to spend the night on The Mall.
The 54-year-old kitchen assistant, originally from south London, said: ‘I might not get any sleep but I don’t care. It was her Queen and I would like to show my respects.
‘There is no way I wouldn’t be here.’