Queen Elizabeth’s Grand State Funeral Takes Place Today in Presence of World Dignitaries
Queen Elizabeth's State funeral is taking place today at Westminster Abbey in London. The grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey is being watched by millions of viewers from across the globe.
Queen Elizabeth's State funeral is taking place today at Westminster Abbey in London. The grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey is being watched by millions of viewers from across the globe.
Leaders from all over the world, dressed in black, are paying their tributes in this hour-long state funeral.
Large screens are set up in parks, squares and cathedrals for people to view the whole ceremony. 125 cinemas will showcase the funeral to audiences live.
The Queen’s coffin will be carried in the same gun carriage which was used for her great great grandmother Queen’ Victoria 's funeral.
The coffin was crafted three decades ago. It is made of English oak while it is lined with lead. Lead is said to keep the moisture out to preserve the mortal remains of the queen after the burial according to Times. The same technique was used for Prince Philip’s casket too.
The coffin was covered with various important symbols like her personal flag, the Royal Standard flag, as well as the Orb and Sceptre, both of which are part of the royal family’s crown jewels.
Both these artefacts will be handed to King Charles III during his coronation.
The imperial state crown which Queen Elizabeth II wore during her coronation was kept atop her coffin.
142 sailors will pull the carriage which will bear her coffin.
The procession will be led by Scottish and Irish regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Royal Air Force numbering 200 musicians.
After the state funeral on Monday the funeral procession will head to Wellington Arch. Here her coffin will be placed in a hearse and will head to Windsor Castle.
Her son King Charles III will follow the coffin.
The Queen will be buried next to her husband in a small chapel — King George VI Memorial Chapel — inside the St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
President Droupadi Murmu had offered her condolences on behalf of the Indian government. She visited the Westminster Hall in London and paid her last respects to the Queen.
The other world leaders who are attending the ceremony are US President Joe Biden, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.