Everything You Should Know About Queen Elizabeth's Funeral
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
All across the United Kingdom, people are preparing to honor the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at 96 years old on September 8.
"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," a statement read from the royal family read at the time.
Ahead, we break down everything we know so far about the history-making monarch's funeral.
When is the queen's funeral?
Buckingham Palace confirmed that Queen Elizabeth II's funeral will occur on Monday, September 19, at 11 a.m. U.K. time.
Where is the queen's funeral?
The funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey in London. Following the service, the queen will be buried at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, where Prince Philip was buried following his death last year.
Who is going to the queen's funeral?
Dignitaries from all across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth realms, and the globe are expected to make their way to London for Queen Elizabeth's funeral.
BBC reports that 2,000 guests are anticipated.
A press release from Buckingham Palace gave some indication on who is expected to attend. "The State Funeral Service will be attended by Heads of State and Overseas Government Representatives, including Foreign Royal Families, Governors General and Realm Prime Ministers. Other representatives of the Realms and the Commonwealth, the Orders of Chivalry including recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross, Government, Parliament, devolved Parliaments and Assemblies, the Church, and Her Majesty’s Patronages will form the congregation, along with other public representatives," the statement read. "Almost 200 people who were recognised in The Queen’s Birthday Honours earlier this year will also join the congregation, including those who made extraordinary contributions to the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and have volunteered in their local communities."
BAZAAR.com elaborated on the expected guest list here.
What will happen the day of the funeral?
On the morning of the funeral, the lying-in-state of the queen—whose coffin was brought from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall through a procession on Wednesday, September 14—will officially end at 6:30 a.m. U.K. time.
At 10:44 a.m., the coffin will then be taking in procession on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy, which will travel from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey. Her coffin will be following by King Charles and other members of the royal family.
Once the procession arrives at the West Gate of Westminster Abbey, bearers will lift the coffin from the carriage and into the abbey for the service.
The service will be conducted by the Dean of Westminster. During the service, Prime Minister Liz Truss and Secretary General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland will read Lessons. Afterwards, 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 Archbishop of Canterbury will then deliver the sermon and give the Commendation. The Dean of Westminster will then pronounce the Blessing.
At the end of the service, the Last Post, or a military bugle call, will sound. Two minutes of silence will then be observed in the abbey and across the U.K., followed by the national anthem. The service is expected to end at about 12:00 p.m.
Once the queen's funeral is over, her coffin will be taken through another procession to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner, during which Big Ben will toll. Once arrived at Wellington Arch, minute guns will be fired by the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery.
Her coffin will then travel to Windsor by State Hearse along with the king and the royal family. The Dean of Windsor will conduct the committal service at St. George's Chapel before she is lowered into the royal vault.
Later that evening, a private burial will occur in the King George VI Memorial Chapel.
How can I watch?
Viewers located in the U.S. can watch the event via NBC News, CNN, ABC, and Fox News, all of which can be accessed with cable television. It will also be streamed live via NBC's streaming network, NBC News Now, as well as Peacock, Apple TV, and YouTube.
When is King Charles's coronation?
The king's coronation is unlikely to take place for some time. Though he officially became the ruling king immediately upon the death of his mother, the ceremony of his crowning will probably take place after a sufficient amount of mourning time passes. Queen Elizabeth, for instance, did not hold her coronation until June 1953, more than a year after the death of her father, King George VI.
Watch this space for updates.
You Might Also Like
