Queen Elizabeth II funeral: Queen laid to rest in Windsor after emotional public farewell
The Queen was laid to rest following 70 years of service after family, friends and the nation said a fond farewell to the late monarch.
The Queen’s coffin was carried from New Palace Yard towards Westminster Abbey on the Royal Navy State Funeral Gun Carriage.
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Hide AdThe coffin was followed by the King and other members of the royal family on foot, including the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex.
As the hearse left Wellington Arch just before 2pm the national anthem was sung while the vehicle was given the royal salute by members of the military parade.
The King, the Queen Consort and members of the royal family are following the hearse to Windsor by car, ahead of the procession to St George’s Chapel where a committal ceremony will take place from 4pm.
Presidents and prime ministers from across the globe filled the Abbey, with US President Joe Biden were among the mourners alongside France’s President Emmanuel Macron, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, her counterpart from Canada Justin Trudeau, and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Hundreds of thousands lined the Queen’s funeral procession that carried the monarch from lying in state at Westminster Hall to her state funeral and on to Windsor Castle for the committal service.
Queen laid to rest in Windsor after emotional public farewell
London’s City Hall said public viewing areas for the procession of the Queen’s coffin from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch are full.
A statement on Twitter said: “All procession viewing areas are now full. There is no entry to any new arrivals.
“Please follow the advice of stewards and police. If you are in the area or about to arrive, use the dedicated walking route to Hyde Park to watch Her Majesty The Queen’s state funeral and procession.”
Westminster Abbey’s tenor bell has started to toll once per minute for 96 minutes in a nod to the years of the Queen’s life.
“The tenor bell is the largest of the Abbey’s ten bells and is traditionally tolled upon the death of a member of the Royal Family,” the Abbey’s Twitter account posted.
A Danish and Spanish contingent arrived in Chelsea in a convoy at 9.45am.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who is now Europe’s longest reigning monarch, and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, are expected to attend.
The Spanish royals waved as they passed by the small crowd of members of the public and media gathered on the pavement.
French President Emanuel Macron and wife Brigitte arriving for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey
US President Joe Biden arrives for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey
A woman who has been camping on Horseguards Road for two days is celebrating her 59th birthday today.
Marion King, and her sister Carol Argent, both from Ashford in Kent, set up camp on Saturday night. Ms King said: “We’ve been here since Saturday evening at 9pm to find the spot and for the atmosphere.
“We’ve been doing this since the age of 10. I used to be a girl guide. We brought a gas stove, tea, coffee and three bottles of wine which have already run out.
“But there’s a Tesco over the road so we’ll go there soon!”
“We’ve met loads of nice people: Kiwis, South Africans and Canadians. We have all made a WhatsApp group and will meet again for the coronation. First our group was just from the UK, now we have the whole commonwealth around us.”
The group sang happy birthday to Ms King at 9:30am on Monday morning. Ms King has laid flowers for the Queen, attended the vigil and went to Westminster Hall for the lying in state since Her Majesty’s death.