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The last one in the series
A woman and her younger companion became the latest to join the line-up to see the Queen lie in state when a flight attendant handed her a wristband. “You’re the last person in line,” he told her, according to footage shown on Sky News on Sunday night. The woman said “Bless you” and received a standing ovation from the airmen and other people waiting as she walked through the cordon to take her seat. The barriers set up to control the queue near Tower Bridge after the last mourners had passed. Photo: Nariman El-Mofty/AP Her relief was mirrored by the groans from those who had moved away behind her. “I’m totally gutted,” said one distraught mourner. With the queue to see the Queen’s coffin now closed, the last mourners will file into Westminster Hall in less than two hours from now. The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced after 22.30 on Sunday night that the last people in the queue had been entered. Mourners line the South Bank of the Thames as they wait to pay their respects at Westminster Hall on Sunday night. Photo: Jack Dredd/REX/ShutterstockThe queue for Westminster Hall as seen from the window of The Deanery of Southwark Cathedral. Photo: Jill Mead/The Guardian Mourners queue to pay their last respects to the Queen on Sunday night. Photo: Jack Dredd/REX/Shutterstock “The queue to attend Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State is final and is now closed to new entrants,” the department said. “Please do not attempt to join the queue. The marshals will manage those who are already close. Thank you for your understanding.”
What will happen today?
Here is a guide to today’s events. All times are BST.
6.30 am – The queen’s sunbed will end
Lying in state, in which the Queen’s closed coffin is on public display at Westminster Hall from Wednesday, will come to an end.
8 a.m. – Westminster Abbey opens
Westminster Abbey will open for the congregation attending the Queen’s funeral. The funeral, which will be one of the biggest gatherings of heads of state and royalty the UK has hosted in decades, will include European royals and world leaders.
10.30 – The Queen’s coffin is taken to the Abbey
The coffin will be carried by carriage from Westminster Hall to the Abbey, towed by 142 Royal Navy sailors. King Charles III, along with members of the royal family as well as members of the royal household, will follow the coffin.
10.52 – The procession arrives at Westminster Abbey
The procession will arrive at the West Gate of Westminster Abbey, and the pallbearer’s party, consisting of members of the Queen’s guard, will carry the coffin from the carriage.
11:00 – Start of operation
The service, which will be led by the Dean of Westminster, Dr David Hoyle, will begin. The homily will be delivered by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
11.55 The last post
The last post will be played and a two minute silence will follow.
Noon – The State funeral ends
The national anthem will be played, bringing the state funeral to a close. The coffin will then be transferred to the state carriage.
12:15 p.m. – Casket procession to Wellington Arch
The procession, led by the King, will consist of several groups, each accompanied by a service band. These teams include representatives from the NHS, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as detachments from the Commonwealth Armed Forces. Guns will be fired every minute in Hyde Park by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, while Big Ben will chime every minute as the procession winds its way through the streets.
13:00 – The coffin is placed in the state hearse
The procession will arrive at Wellington Arch and the pallbearer will carry the coffin to the hearse before the car leaves for Windsor. A royal salute will also follow, and the national anthem will be played.
15.06 – Arrival in Windsor
The hearse will arrive in Windsor and take part in a procession up the Long Walk at Windsor Castle. She will be joined by the King and members of the royal family before moving to St George’s Chapel for the ceremony.
4 p.m. – The engagement service begins
The ceremony begins at St George’s Chapel, attended by around 800 people, including the King, the Royal Family, Commonwealth leaders, governors-general and mourners from the Queen’s past and present, including personal staff from all of her private estates. It will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor with the blessing of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Queen’s coffin will then be lowered into the royal vault.
19.30 – Private burial
A private service conducted by the Dean of Windsor, attended only by the King and the Royal Family. The Queen’s coffin will be interred in St George’s Chapel, alongside Prince Philip and her parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother.
Opening summary
After 10 days of official mourning, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II takes place today in London. It will be a day of ceremony and tradition – as well as one of the largest gatherings of heads of state and other world leaders witnessed in years. The last of those queuing to see the Queen lie in state at Westminster Hall will pass the hearse at 6.30am. BST. This will end the days which saw queues of up to 8km along the Thames as members of the public came to pay their respects. This live blog will cover all the events of the day. Here’s how some other Guardian readers plan to spend it:
