The plans have been honed over years, a strict timetable of process for what would be the greatest state funeral and safety operation ever held within the UK.
The funeral for the Queen, Britain’s longest reigning monarch, takes place on Monday 19 September, and particulars of what is going to occur on the day have now been introduced by Buckingham Palace.
It will probably be a day of emotion and unhappiness, but additionally a celebration of the monarch’s life and 70-year reign, and 1000’s are anticipated to line the streets in London and Windsor to pay their respects as she makes her last journey.
Queen lies in state – newest information
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Millions extra will probably be watching at dwelling within the UK – billions worldwide – because the funeral is televised in what might grow to be probably the most watched broadcast in historical past.
It has been 70 years for the reason that loss of life of the earlier monarch, Queen Elizabeth II’s father George VI, so the overwhelming majority of individuals within the UK are unaccustomed to the traditions and pageantry which have been on show over the previous couple of days. And for many who do keep in mind her father’s reign and loss of life, the Queen’s funeral, going down within the digital age, will probably be incomparable in scale and rather more accessible.
The man in control of the operation, The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, says the state funeral will “unite people across the globe and resonate with people of all faiths”, and pay a “fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign”.
Here is our information to the occasion – from particulars of the rehearsals and all the pieces taking place beforehand to the Queen’s burial, different state funerals and the historic significance of the areas.
What time is the Queen’s funeral, the place does it happen – and why?
After a number of days of her coffin mendacity in state, the Queen’s funeral will probably be held at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday 19 September, beginning at 11am. Poignantly, that is the place she married Prince Philip 75 years in the past and her coronation additionally befell right here in 1953.
Breaking centuries of custom, that is the primary funeral service for a monarch to happen at Westminster Abbey for the reason that ceremony for King George II in 1760, as they have been later held at Windsor. However, the funerals for each Princess Diana and the Queen Mother befell right here in 1997 and 2002 respectively.
It is assumed the transfer was chosen by the Queen herself, based on experiences, because the venue can maintain extra individuals and the London location is best to accomodate crowds.
The funeral will probably be carried out by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Dean of Westminster, whereas the sermon will probably be preached by The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Choirs of Westminster Abbey and His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace will carry out beneath the route of James O’Donnell, the Abbey’s Organist and Master of the Choristers.
What occurs earlier than the service?
A steady vigil of her coffin is saved by The King’s Body Guards on the Palace of Westminster. Each watch lasts for six hours, with people inside these watches protecting vigil for 20 minutes.
The coffin is draped with the Royal Standard, on which lie the Instruments of State, the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre. These will stay all through the occasion.
A nationwide second of reflection takes place the day earlier than the funeral, at 8pm on Sunday 18 September, and will probably be marked by a one-minute silence.
Community occasions and vigils could also be organised to watch this throughout the UK, however individuals may also mark the second privately at dwelling or on doorsteps alongside neighbours. Those who wish to pay their respects abroad are additionally inspired to watch the one-minute silence at 8pm BST.
The Queen’s mendacity in state closes at 6.30am on the morning of the funeral. Following this, her coffin will probably be taken in a grand navy procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey, which is closed for preparations till the funeral.
Following the coffin would be the King, members of the Royal Family, and members of the King’s family.
And what occurs afterwards?
Following the funeral, the Queen’s coffin will journey in procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch, also called Constitution Arch, which was constructed as an unique entrance to Buckingham Palace and sits between the corners of Hyde Park and Green Park.
From there, the coffin will journey to Windsor. Here, the hearse will journey in procession to the gothic St George’s Chapel, which sits inside the partitions of Windsor Castle, by way of the Long Walk. A committal service will then be held at St George’s.
This is the church often chosen by the Royal Family for weddings, christenings and funerals – the place Prince Harry and Meghan have been married in 2018 and the place Prince Philip’s funeral was held simply final yr.
Later within the night, there will probably be a personal interment service with senior members of the Royal Family.
Where will the Queen be laid to relaxation – and can or not it’s with Prince Philip?
The Queen’s last resting place would be the King George VI memorial chapel, a small annex to the primary chapel at Windsor – the place her mom and father have been buried, and the place the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret, are saved.
Reports on why Margaret was cremated differ – some say she opted for this as she felt a burial was “too gloomy”, others say her determination was influenced by the very fact there was not a lot room left for typical burials.
When Prince Philip died, he was briefly laid to relaxation within the Royal Vault at St George’s, however will now be moved to the memorial chapel to hitch the Queen.
The Navy’s vital function
The procession will contain a complete of about 6,000 representatives from all three armed forces, with members of the Navy towing the gun carriage which is able to carry the Queen’s coffin to Westminster Abbey.
This follows the custom set on the funeral of Queen Victoria in 1902, when horses panicked and a celebration of sailors have been commandeered to haul the carriage by means of the streets of Windsor.
Since then, the carriage, initially inbuilt 1899, has been saved in an environmentally safe room at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth – the place its custodian, Lieutenant Commander Paul “Ronnie” Barker turns its wheels a quarter-turn every week to make sure they don’t grow to be bowed by gravity.
And the function of the previous head of MI5…
Lord Chamberlain – Baron Parker of Minsmere – is probably the most senior official of the Royal Household, and the previous head of the spy company.
He headed the Queen’s working family and it’s his job to make sure the sleek operating of all of the totally different departments.
On ceremonial events, the Lord Chamberlain carries a white workers and a gold key, the symbols of his workplace – and custom dictates that he should now break his workers over the Queen’s grave – a symbolic gesture marking the loss of life of the sovereign he serves.
The final Lord Chamberlain to interrupt his workers on this method was the Earl of Clarendon over King George VI’s grave in 1952.
The Queen’s journey to Westminster Abbey
On the day of the funeral, after mendacity in state finishes at Westminster Hall at 6.30am, the doorways will probably be closed in preparation.
Shortly after 10.35am, the Queen’s coffin will probably be lifted and carried in procession to the state gun carriage of the Royal Navy positioned outdoors the north door.
The gun carriage will then set off at 10.44am, with the path to the Abbey lined by members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
A tri-service guard of honour will happen on Parliament Square, accompanied by the band of the Royal Marines.
The procession will arrive at 10.52am and the coffin will probably be carried into the Abbey for the service.
The doorways to Westminster Abbey could have opened at 8am to permit the final congregation to take their seats.
The ceremony itself
Invited heads of state and abroad authorities representatives, together with international royal dignitaries, will journey collectively from Royal Hospital Chelsea to the Abbey.
The funeral will probably be carried out by the Dean of Westminster, with Prime Minister Liz Truss and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth to learn Lessons. The Archbishop of York, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the Free Churches Moderator will say prayers.
The sermon will probably be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who can even give the commendation. The Dean of Westminster will then pronounce the blessing.
Towards the tip of the ceremony, at about 11.55am, the Last Post will sound, adopted by a two-minute silence to be noticed within the Abbey and all through the UK.
The nationwide anthem will probably be performed and there will probably be a lament on the shut of service at round noon.
The coffin will probably be adopted out by the King, the Queen Consort and members of the Royal Family.
Procession to Wellington Arch
Members of the Royal Family will stroll in procession from the Abbey to Wellington Arch, the place the procession is because of arrive at 1pm.
The King and members of the Royal Family will once more comply with within the procession, which can even embrace detachments from the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth. Minute weapons will probably be fired in Hyde Park by The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery.
Big Ben will toll all through this procession.
At Wellington Arch, the coffin will probably be transferred from the gun carriage to the state hearse to journey to Windsor. As the procession departs, the parade will give a royal salute and the nationwide anthem will probably be performed. His Majesty The King and Members of the Royal Family will then depart for Windsor.
The Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Sussex and the Countess of Wessex will comply with by automotive.
At Windsor
There will probably be a procession led by a dismounted attachment of the Household Cavalry, with pipers and drums and a band from the Coldstream Guards. Members of the Queen’s private workers will comply with.
The route will probably be lined by the armed forces. Minute weapons will probably be fired and a bell will toll.
The procession will halt on the West Steps of St George’s Chapel, and the coffin will probably be carried inside.
Some 800 individuals, together with members of the Queen’s Household and Windsor property workers, will attend the committal service, which begins at 4pm.
The coffin will probably be lowered into the Royal Vault because the Dean of Windsor reads a psalm.
The Queen’s piper will play a lament as he walks away.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will give a blessing, and the nationwide anthem will probably be sung.
The burial
The burial service will probably be totally non-public, going down at 7.30pm and carried out by the Dean of Windsor.
The earth that will probably be scattered onto the coffin could have been gathered from the royal mausoleum at Frogmore.
How has such a big operation been rehearsed?
In the quiet of the early hours of the morning on Thursday, 1000’s of navy personnel took half in preparations for the procession of the Queen’s coffin from Westminster Hall to Wellington Arch.
Bagpipes sounded at 2.45am, marking the beginning of the procession by means of the darkish and quiet streets of the capital, with many areas sealed off for the operation.
Towed by virtually 100 naval personnel and bearing a black coffin, the State Gun Carriage travelled from Westminster Hall, on to Westminster Abbey, after which by means of central London.
While the rehearsal was held early for as a lot privateness as doable and to keep away from disruption, tons of of mourners who had waited in line in a single day to pay their respects to the Queen mendacity in state bought to witness the historic preparations.
Those who have been there noticed the Scots Guards marching away from New Palace Yard and on to the Abbey, adopted by sailors pulling the gun carriage utilizing white ropes, and a number of other members of the Household Cavalry on horseback.
Four troopers stood both aspect of the coffin because it was taken into Westminster Abbey, the place indoor procedures have been additionally rehearsed.
Mournful brass and drums heralded the coffin leaving the venue earlier than the procession moved on to Wellington Arch.
At round 5.20am, the sound of brass taking part in God Save The Queen rang out from beneath the arch, earlier than the state hearse departed by means of the Apsley Gate of Hyde Park between rows of Household Cavalry.
Beethoven’s Funeral March and the hymn Jerusalem may very well be heard earlier than the solar got here up.
What is a state funeral and who else has obtained one?
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony held to honour individuals of nationwide significance. While often reserved for monarchs within the UK, Britain’s final state funeral was that of former prime minister Sir Winston Chuchill (pictured above) in 1965.
The Queen herself granted permission for using each Westminster Hall and St Paul’s Cathedral for his ceremony, acknowledging that the nation ought to “have the opportunity to express their sorrow” over the loss of life of an “inspiring leader who strengthened and supported us all” throughout the Second World War.
Prince Philip, the Queen Mother, Princess Diana and Baroness Thatcher all had ceremonial funerals, which share most of the similar options. A ceremonial funeral was additionally held for King Richard III in 2015 following the invention of his skeleton beneath a parking lot in Leicester in 2012, greater than 500 years after his loss of life.
Who will attend (and who will not)?
Westminster Abbey can maintain as much as 2, 200 individuals. On the day of the funeral, world leaders, politicians, public figures and people who labored with the Queen, in addition to monarchs from different nations, will be a part of members of the Royal Family to pay their respects.
The Queen’s 4 youngsters – King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – will probably be current, as will Camilla, the Queen Consort, and the monarch’s grandchildren – Princes William and Harry, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
Spouses of all shut household are anticipated to be current too, together with Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
Prime Minister Liz Truss, Labour chief Keir Starmer and different UK politicians can even attend.
Members of Europe’s royal households, from nations together with Spain, the Netherlands, Monaco, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, and Greece, are prone to fly to London for the funeral, and about 500 international dignitaries are additionally anticipated to attend.
US President Joe Biden and his spouse, First Lady Jill Biden, have been among the many first to say they might be there, and French President Emmanuel Macron has additionally confirmed his attendance.
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Your questions answered
King Charles in footage
It is known all holders of the Victoria Cross or George Cross are in a position to attend and practically 200 key employees and volunteers recognised within the Queen’s Birthday Honours checklist have additionally been invited.
Invites haven’t been despatched to Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Syria, Venezuela or Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, whereas Iran, North Korea and Nicaragua have been invited solely at an ambassadorial degree, based on Whitehall sources.
The UK doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Syria or Venezuela, whereas the political scenario in Afghanistan for the reason that Taliban swept to energy a yr in the past means no consultant has been invited from Kabul.
You can learn extra on who is ready to attend right here.
Attendance is by invitation solely. However, as they did because the Queen’s physique travelled from Balmoral to Edinburgh, 1000’s are anticipated to line the funeral cortege route and thousands and thousands around the globe will watch at dwelling on TV.
Security for the occasion
The complexity of organising the funeral, with dignitaries from around the globe anticipated, has been in contrast by Whitehall insiders to organising tons of of state visits inside a matter of days, whereas usually there may solely be two or three a yr.
It presents an enormous logistical, diplomatic and safety problem, with apply runs going down at nighttime.
The complicated seating plan can solely be formalised as soon as visitors have responded to the invites – the deadline is on Thursday.
Air Marshal Edward Stringer, a former director of operations for the Ministry of Defence, was concerned in revising the planning for Operation London Bridge again in 2017, and says procedures could have been revised and up to date often since then.
Plans are carried out in accordance with the monarch’s needs, he says – and offers the instance of the Queen approving for her physique to be flown on a C-17 cargo aircraft, the identical used for support missions in Ukraine and for evacuations in Afghanistan, within the occasion it wanted to be.
According to experiences, the Queen mentioned that if the aircraft was “good enough for my boys, it’s good enough for me”.
The funeral would be the “biggest security operation ever mounted” and the plans are “given regular revisits… and of course the sad passing of the Duke of Edinburgh during the pandemic will have made the whole business very real again”.
One instance of adjustments which have been made not too long ago consists of the announcement that NHS employees will probably be concerned, Air Marshal Stringer mentioned. “Well, that wouldn’t have happened pre-pandemic. So [the plan] is continually revised and of course will be revised again in light of what King Charles wants.”
The scale of the operation is “unprecedented” with “global public interest”, he added.
“The plan is nothing, the planning is everything. Lots of planning and repeating the planning – you think through all the contingencies and what might happen and the plan itself might always have to change within the last week, but at least if you’ve thought about all possible options, you can adjust quite quickly.”
One facet to contemplate is so many heads of state being in the identical place on the similar time.
“You have an unprecedented collection of global VIPs – and it’s the British state’s responsibility to look after them. There’s a lot to consider.”
Transport
People travelling to London by prepare are being urged to remain for lunch to keep away from mass crowds at Tube and prepare stations as soon as the procession leaves the centre.
A full weekday timetable will function, with about 250 further providers, together with some in a single day trains.
Transport for London (TfL) mentioned most Tube traces will stay open for an extra hour till about 1am on the evening of the funeral, to make sure individuals can “travel around the capital safely”.
On the roads, National Highways will pause any deliberate closures of motorways serving London till after the funeral.
Martin Fellows, who’s main the organisation’s planning for the mourning interval, mentioned a few of the worst potential congestion hotspots on motorways are the M25 and roads feeding into London such because the M1, M3, M4, and M11.
He suggested motorists to “allow plenty of time for your journey” and ensure automobiles are “well prepared”.
London Victoria coach station and lots of central London roads will probably be closed on Monday.
Most National Express coaches resulting from depart from or arrive at London Victoria will use Wembley Stadium as an alternative, whereas Megabus will change to Hillingdon.
More than 100 of Heathrow Airport’s flights will probably be even be cancelled to keep away from plane disturbing the funeral.
The airport mentioned it desires to make sure the skies over London will probably be quiet throughout the two-minute nationwide silence because the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey nears its finish shortly earlier than midday.
No flights will probably be allowed to take off or land from quarter-hour earlier than the silence begins till quarter-hour after it ends.
Departures and arrivals can even be halted throughout the arrival of the funeral cortege and procession at Windsor Castle, and diverted across the fortress throughout the non-public household service on Monday evening.
British Airways – the most-affected airline – will cancel 100 short-haul flights because of the restrictions. Virgin Atlantic mentioned it’s going to cancel 4 flights.
Heathrow warned that many roads close to the airport will probably be closed on Monday because of the occasions in Windsor, and passengers are “strongly advised” to make use of London Underground and rail providers to get to and from the airport.
The historical past of Westminster Abbey and the monarchy
As an 11-year-old woman, the Queen watched as her father was topped on the Abbey, a venue that has been linked to the Royal Family for the reason that eleventh century, when Edward the Confessor rebuilt the church.
King Edward was the primary to be buried right here in January 1066. From then till 1760, some 13 kings of England – together with Henry V and Henry VII, 4 reigning queens together with Elizabeth I, 11 queen consorts and two different queens, together with Mary Queen of Scots – have been buried within the Abbey. Since George II’s burial in 1760, royal burials have been at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, or within the close by mausoleum at Frogmore.
Queen Elizabeth’s personal coronation additionally befell right here.
The final funeral for a British monarch
Prince Albert, Duke of York, the second son of King George V and Queen Mary, was proclaimed King in December 1936, following the abdication of his brother Edward VIII over his relationship with American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
He took one among his center names, George, on succeeding to the throne.
George VI died on 6 February 1952 and his coffin lay in Westminster Hall the place a brief service was held and greater than 300,000 individuals turned out to pay their respects. His funeral service befell at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on 15 February 1952.
The Queen’s coffin
The coffin is constructed out of English oak, lined with lead, and was made a long time in the past, based on consultants.
Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Prince Philip and Princess Diana all had such coffins made for them, Sarah Hayes, supervisor for the Coffin Works museum in Birmingham, has mentioned.
“It’s to preserve the body for as long as possible, it’s really about slowing down the process of decomposition,” she mentioned.
This is very vital for the queen as a result of her coffin will probably be finally positioned in a church, not buried within the floor, she added.
The coffin is fabricated from oak from the Royal Family’s Sandringham Estate based on royal custom, Ms Hayes mentioned.
How will music play a component?
Funeral marches by classical composers Beethoven, Chopin and Mendelssohn will probably be performed on the ceremony, as they have been throughout the funeral procession for Queen Victoria in 1901, based on a former navy music director.
“Everything that we do in state ceremonial is born out of a golden thread of history, heritage and tradition,” retired Lieutenant Colonel Graham Jones, former senior director of music for the Household Division, mentioned.
Throughout his 40-year profession serving as a navy musician after which director of music, Lt Col Jones was liable for planning, co-ordinating and delivering the music for main state ceremonial occasions such because the funeral of the Queen Mother, the Queen’s birthday parade, and the Armistice Cenotaph Parade.
He mentioned the funeral service on the Abbey might replicate the Queen’s private style in music, which was mentioned to incorporate musicals corresponding to Oklahoma! and present tunes corresponding to Cheek To Cheek, carried out by Fred Astaire (pictured above).
“That’s a matter between church and monarch, to decide the service and service content, and I know there has been quite a little bit of rumblings in the media about Her Majesty’s top 10 favourite tunes and will any of those feature in the service,” he mentioned.
Source: information.sky.com”