DW’s Robin Merrill reflects on the service
Veteran DW presenter Robin Merrill called the state funeral “an extraordinary day, the likes of which I expect we will never see again, because I think Charles will tone down the monarchy a bit”. Merrill called it “the culmination of the last 10 days and indeed the last 70 years of this extraordinary woman, who had an unwavering duty to serve, the likes of which we have really never seen before.” Merrill said it surprised a lot of people, including himself, “how emotional I got about it, because she’s been the constant in my whole life. (…) There’s never been anyone else.” “It’s going to be a difficult act to follow,” he said, especially given that the country is undergoing a change of monarch and prime minister almost simultaneously.
The closing ceremony of the Archbishop of Canterbury
David White later spoke again to name Charles as Elizabeth’s successor in these titles and duties. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, read a benediction often used at the end of confirmation ceremonies, beginning: “Go into the world in peace, be of good courage, hold fast that which is good, repay no one evil for evil .” One of the last hymns of the ceremony was followed by the chorus of the British national anthem, revised in the last fortnight to ‘God Save the King’.
Coffin bound, bagpipes sound
The Dean of Windsor David Connor said a short hymn as the casket began its descent to the chapel floor. Then David White, another member of the royal house, the Garter Lord King of Arms, read out the list of her official titles: “Thus, pleased God almighty to bring forth from this transitory life in His divine mercy the late, most high, mighty, and excellent monarch Elizabeth II. By the grace of God, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and all Northern Ireland, and by her other kingdoms and territories, queen. Head of the Commonwealth, defender of the faith, and sovereign of the most noble order of the garter.” Then came bagpipe music.
The organs of state were removed from the coffin
The three instruments of state – the imperial state crown, orb and scepter – were removed from the coffin ahead of the engagement and placed on the high altar in the chapel. The Imperial Crown is traditionally worn by the monarch at the end of coronation ceremonies and at official events such as the State Opening of Parliament. But in recent years, given its considerable weight, Elizabeth had chosen not to put it on her head. The Scepter is supposed to symbolize the power of the monarch and has been used at every coronation for centuries. The Orb, meanwhile, with a cross on it, is supposed to symbolize God’s power and remind the monarch where their power comes from. King Charles then placed the colors of the Queen’s company, the Grenadier Guards, on the coffin. The Queen’s Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in her household and former MI5 spy chief Baron Parker, then broke his Wand of Office and placed it over the coffin along with the regimental colours.
The ceremony begins
The casket, with the organs of state placed on top of it, was moved to St. George’s Chapel at about 16:15 local time (1515 UTC). King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla walked right behind the pallbearers. Charles’ eldest son and heir, Prince William, wore military dress. “We are assembled to commit into the hands of God the soul of His servant, Queen Elizabeth. Here at St George’s Chapel, where he was so often worshipped, we are sure to remember someone whose simple but profound Christian faith bore so much fruit,” said David Connor, Dean of Windsor, when he opened the ceremony. “Fruit in a lifetime of unceasing service to the nation, the Commonwealth and the wider world, but also — and above all to be remembered in this place — kindness, concern and reassuring care for her family, friends and neighbors her”. “In our rapidly changing and often troubled world, her calm and dignified presence gave us the confidence to face the future as she did, with courage and hope,” Connor said.
Queen Elizabeth’s coffin arrives at Windsor
The Queen’s coffin arrived at the place she called home, Windsor. A new military procession carried the coffin along the famous Long Walk through Windsor Great Park to Windsor Castle itself. Thousands more people lined the route as the coffin was carried to the Committal Service at St George’s Chapel. King Charles and other members of the royal family joined the procession in the Castle Square. Queen Elizabeth two corgis at Windsor Castle as the royal waits for her funeral to arrive
Thousands watch the Queen’s journey to her final resting place
People have gathered all along the route of the Queen’s funeral procession in Windsor. Mourners threw flowers at the motorcade as it passed. There will be another procession to Windsor before the service at St George’s Chapel. Finally, the Queen will be buried with her late husband, Prince Philip, in a private family service.
Cheers and applause for Queen Elizabeth II as London bids farewell
The cortege carrying the late Queen’s coffin made its way slowly through the streets of London after being carried by a Royal Navy carriage, following the state funeral at Westminster Abbey. Hundreds of thousands of people who had come to pay their respects clapped and threw flowers as the state hearse passed them. Church bells could be heard ringing as many in the crowd cheered in tribute to the queen, with some shouting “God save the queen!”. The procession heads to Windsor Castle where the last private service for the Queen will be held.
The Queen’s last trip to Windsor Castle
Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin has been moved from Westminster Abbey after a funeral and will now be taken from London to her final resting place at Windsor Castle.
Her coffin was carried in a gun carriage in a procession through the streets of London to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner. Tens of thousands of people follow the route.
The Queen was given a final royal salute to the strains of the national anthem before embarking on the final journey to Windsor Castle by hearse.
The entourage will now travel to Windsor Castle for a private service, some 33 kilometers (21 miles) away. The Queen will be buried next to her late husband Prince Philip.
Queen’s coffin leaves Westminster Abbey after state funeral
Queen Elizabeth II State Funeral
The Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle, led the proceedings at the abbey where the Queen was married in 1947 and crowned in 1953. British Prime Minister Liz Truss gave a reading before a sermon by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. At 10:55 UTC two minutes’ silence was observed followed by a rendition of God Save the King. Then the queen’s lone piper played the lament, “sleep my love, sleep.” The Queen’s coffin was carried by passengers from the Grenadier Guards in the Royal Navy carriage. Members of the royal family stood in silence as the coffin was placed in the carriage as the procession made its way through the streets of London. The Queen’s coffin begins its final journey through London and then to Windsor Castle for a second, private service.
The Queen’s coffin arrives at Westminster Abbey
Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin has arrived at Westminster Abbey for her funeral. Silence fell as the Queen’s coffin was carried into the abbey by military pallbearers, closely followed by King Charles and other members of the royal family. Mourners bowed their heads as the coffin bearing the crown and Royal Standard was passed. The Queen’s coffin was carried by the Royal Navy’s state gun from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey in a procession after lying in state for the past four days. The procession was led mournfully into the abbey to the sound of pipes and drums.
The royal family arrives at Westminster Abbey
Members of the royal family arrived at Westminster Abbey to the applause of people who lined the streets of the area. King Charles arrived with Princes William and Harry, followed by the Queen and Princess of Wales in a separate car. Royal family mourns death of Queen Elizabeth II
British leaders past and present arrive
Former British prime ministers arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of the Queens state funeral to be held at Westminster Abbey. John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Boris Johnson were seen giving evidence ahead of the proceedings. Their arrival was followed by the new Prime Minister Liz Truss. Then the prime ministers of the Queen’s kingdoms arrived, including Canada’s Justin Trudeau.
World leaders arrive at Westminster Abbey
Leaders and monarchs from around the world began arriving at Westminster Abbey for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. It is estimated that 400 of its officials will attend the proceedings. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people have traveled to the capital and lined the streets to pay their respects. Various arms of the army involving thousands of personnel perform ceremonial functions for a day that required meticulous planning. The Royal Marines Band Service is at Westminster Abbey
Flags fly at half-mast on German public buildings
Germany’s interior ministry announced that the flags in…
