Kings and queens, world leaders, mourners wailing in the streets and gathered around screens bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II on Monday as Britain’s longest-serving monarch was laid to rest in a historic funeral ceremony carried out with military precision on a scale ever. seen before
Britain held a two-minute silence in a moving tribute across the country at the end of a majestic state funeral at Westminster Abbey here, attended by thousands and millions of people who witnessed the screens around the world.
In the 2,000-strong congregation comprising world leaders, UK royalty and overseas community leaders, India was represented by President Droupadi Murmu and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.
The United Kingdom’s national anthem, God Save the King’, played as the coffin was lifted for the final leg of the journey to the late monarch’s final resting place at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where one
Committal Service concluded the public aspect of the funeral before a private burial ceremony on Monday evening.
The Queen’s coffin was then lowered into the Royal Vault in preparation for her final resting place alongside her late husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, in an enclave in the historic chapel at her Windsor estate. in the south-east of England.
We have gathered to commit into the hands of God the soul of his servant, Queen Elizabeth, said the Dean of Windsor, in the final service prepared in discussion with the late monarch for several years.
The state funeral began as the chimes of Big Ben fell silent and hymns played as the late monarch’s coffin was carried into Westminster Abbey on Monday morning.
Big Ben, the iconic London landmark located in the Elizabeth Tower named after the late Queen, chimed 96 times every minute to mark each year of the late sovereign’s life as a procession led by King Charles III entered the historic 11th century abbey.
The coffin, draped with the Royal Standard, was adorned with flowers from the King’s royal houses and a personal note “in loving and devoted memory” of him and the Instruments of State? composed of the diamond-encrusted imperial crown of state and the orb and scepter which were presented to the Queen at her coronation at the same abbey in 1953.
Here, where Queen Elizabeth was married and crowned, we gather from across the country, the Commonwealth and the nations of the world, to mourn our loss, to remember her long life of selfless service and safety to engage her. to the mercy of God, our creator and redeemer,? said the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster who led the service.
We remember with gratitude her unwavering commitment to a great calling for so many years as Queen and Head of the Commonwealth,” he said.
“With admiration we remember his sense of duty and lifelong dedication to his people. With thanksgiving we praise God for his constant example of Christian faith and devotion. We fondly remember his love for his family and his commitment with the causes he held dear, Hoyle said.
The hour-long service included a collection of traditional hymns and new pieces of choral music, created especially for the occasion.
Bible lessons were read by Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland and British Prime Minister Liz Truss, followed by the hymn ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’, which had also been sung at the wedding of the then Princess Isabel and Prince Philip in 1947.
Her late Majesty declared in a 21st birthday broadcast that her whole life would be dedicated to serving the nation and the Commonwealth. Rarely has such a promise been so well fulfilled. Few leaders receive the outpouring of love we have seen, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said in his sermon.
“The pain felt today not only by the late Queen’s family, but across the nation, the Commonwealth and the world arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone.
“She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives. All those who follow the example of the Queen and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can say with her: ‘We will meet again'”, he concluded, in the words. of the late monarch’s memorable COVID pandemic lockdown broadcast.
As the clock struck 11am local time, the Queen’s eldest son and heir, Charles, followed the coffin which had been in Westminster Hall since last Wednesday. in solemn procession, accompanied by his sons Princes William and Harry and siblings Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward.
Were William’s children Prince George, nine, and Princess Charlotte, seven, among the youngest members of the royal procession, walking between their parents? the prince and princess of wales.
There was military precision in the ceremony after days of rehearsals for the nearly 6,000 members of the armed forces involved in the grand ceremony.
The coffin was then carried in procession on the state hearse used for royal funerals to Wellington Arch in central London to be taken by the state hearse to Windsor.
The event was watched by millions of people across the UK and around the world. Thousands of people lined the streets and gathered in the capital’s parks to hear the service, many of them moved to tears.
It was the first state funeral since Winston Churchill in 1965 and the largest ceremonial event since the Second World War.
Queen Elizabeth II, 96, died peacefully at her Scottish residence of Balmoral Castle on September 8, marking the start of a period of state mourning in the UK which has seen thousands of people go present an unprecedented queue in London to pass in front of the late monarch’s coffin. Lying in state
