Queen Elizabeth II Laid to Rest in London
King Charles III, the Royal Family along with dignitaries looks on as the coffin of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is lifted from the catafalque after her state funeral in Westminster Abbey (Image courtesy of the Royal Family).
“Her late Majesty famously declared on her 21st birthday broadcast that her whole life would be dedicated to serving the nation and Commonwealth […].”
Article by Cate McCusker, Senior Correspondent
LONDON - After a 70 year reign, Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Today, after a 10 day period of mourning, she was laid to rest.
At around 10:30 AM BST (5:30 AM ET), the Queen’s coffin was lifted from lying-in-state at Westminster Hall and placed on a gun carriage for a procession across Parliament Square. Then, at 11 AM, the Queen’s state funeral began at Westminster Abbey.
President Biden was one of the many world leaders in attendance at her funeral, including the leaders of countries that were former British colonies, such as Indian President Droupadi Murmu, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Olena Zelenska, wife of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, also attended the funeral, as her husband continued Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Additionally, 180 members of the public, identified as key workers, were invited to attend.
The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev. Dr. David Hoyle.
“In grief and also in profound thanksgiving we come to this House of God, to a place of prayer, to a church where remembrance and hope are sacred duties,” he said. “With gratitude we remember her unswerving commitment to a high calling over so many years as Queen and Head of the Commonwealth.”
During the ceremony, some of the Queen’s favorite hymns were sung, including The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended; The Lord's My Shepherd, which was sung at her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947.
Newly installed Prime Minister Liz Truss read from John 14, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Welby, offered a eulogy.
“Her late Majesty famously declared on her 21st birthday broadcast that her whole life would be dedicated to serving the nation and Commonwealth,” he said. “Rarely has such a promise been so well kept.”
After a two minute period of silence, the Queen, who was married and crowned in Westminster Abbey, left its grounds for the last time.
As the day continued for Britain, other world leaders departed. President Biden left Westminster Abbey for London Stansted Airport, where he boarded Air Force One at around 2:00 PM to return to Washington D.C.
From Westminster Abbey, the Queen’s coffin was carried on a Royal Navy gun carriage through the streets of London. The grand procession was designed to showcase the full splendor of the monarchy. Seven groups, each with their own marching band; detachments from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and the British armed forces; and mounted soldiers from the Household Cavalry were all part of the procession.
As her coffin rolled past massive crowds lining the streets, the Queen’s household staff, including her private secretary, the master of the horse and the keeper of the privy purse, walked behind her.
Behind the Queen’s household marched members of the Royal Family. King Charles III, his son and heir Prince William, and his siblings Princess Anne and Prince Edward, all marched in military uniforms. Yet, Prince Andrew, the King’s brother, and Prince Harry, the King’s second son, marched alongside them, however, in suits. As non-working royals, Prince Andrew and Prince Harry were unable to wear their military uniforms at the funeral.
Behind them in cars were other members of the Royal Family, including Queen Consort Camilla, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
At Wellington Arch, a monument that celebrates Britain’s victories in the Napoleonic Wars, the Queen’s coffin was transferred to the state hearse to be transported to Windsor Castle. A final rendition of God Save the Queen was played as King Charles III, Britain’s new monarch, saluted.
At Windsor Castle, the Queen’s coffin was brought into St. George’s Chapel for the last public farewell. Hymns and prayers were delivered to a more intimate congregation, including the Royal Family and other well-known British figures.
Finally, as bagpipes rang out, Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin was lowered into the royal vault. The service concluded with the British national anthem, yet this time with its new and unfamiliar refrain, “God Save the King.”
The Queen’s coffin will remain at St. George’s Chapel until a private burial service later today, where she will be laid to rest with her parents, King George VI and The Queen Mother, her only sibling, Princess Margaret, and her husband, Prince Philip.