Queen Elizabeth II farewelled in state funeral attended by thousands of mourners at London’s Westminster Abbey
Thousands of mourners have packed into London’s Westminster Abbey for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Key points:
- Queen Elizabeth II was farewelled in a state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London
- Amongst the guests were world leaders, former prime ministers, royalty and members of the public
- After the funeral the Queen’s coffin will be taken to Windsor Castle for a private service
About 2,000 people, including royalty, world leaders and members of the public, were inside the abbey for the first funeral of a monarch to be held there since King George II’s funeral in 1760.
The funeral began with the new King, Charles III, leading a procession behind the Queen’s coffin from the nearby Westminster Hall, where his mother’s body had been lying in state.
The Queen’s coffin was carried on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy, drawn by 142 sailors.
Members of all three armed services formed a guard of honour in Parliament Square outside the Palace of Westminster.
Behind King Charles were his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, as well as the Queen’s other three children – Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
The Imperial State Crown and the sovereign’s orb and sceptre lay on top of the Queen’s coffin.
The card on the wreath on top of the coffin was handwritten by the King and said: “In loving and devoted memory. Charles R.”
Dean of Westminster David Hoyle conducted the service, and the sermon was delivered by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
“With gratitude we remember her unswerving commitment to a high calling over so many years as Queen and head of the Commonwealth,” the Dean of Westminster said.
“With admiration we recall her lifelong sense of duty and dedication to her people. With thanksgiving we praise God for her constant example of Christian faith and devotion.
“With affection we recall her love for her family and her commitment to the causes she held dear.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury told the congregation that the grief felt by so many across Britain and the wider world reflected the late monarch’s “abundant life and loving service”.
“Her late majesty famously declared on a 21st birthday broadcast that her whole life would be dedicated to serving the nation and Commonwealth,” he said.
“Rarely has such a promise been so well kept.
“Few leaders receive the outpouring of love that we have seen.”
Among the world leaders in attendance were US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, also attended.
Baroness Scotland, secretary general of the Commonwealth, read the first lesson from Corinthians 15, including the line: “O death, where is thy sting?”
The second lesson was delivered by British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was appointed the country’s new leader just two days before the Queen’s death.
It was the first state funeral to be held in the UK since wartime prime minister Winston Churchill’s in 1965.
Mourners lined the streets around Westminster and Buckingham Palace, and crowds watched on big screens around the country.
Westminster Abbey was where the then-Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip in 1947, and where she was crowned in 1953.
The service concluded with the Last Post, followed by a two-minute national silence, God Save the King and a lament played by the Queen’s piper.
The Queen’s coffin was then taken from Westminster Abbey, through Whitehall and Horse Guard Parade, down The Mall and past Buckingham Palace to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner.
Big Ben tolled at one-minute intervals and gun salutes were fired every minute from Hyde Park.
At Wellington Arch the coffin was placed inside the State Hearse, where it began its final journey to Windsor Castle.
A committal service will be held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, with 800 guests in attendance.
During the service the sovereign’s orb and sceptre will be removed from the top of the coffin – separating Queen Elizabeth from her crown for the final time.
Her coffin will eventually be lowered into the royal vault.
Later on Monday evening, during a private service, the Queen will be buried alongside her late husband Prince Philip, who died in April 2021.
