As of: 09/19/2022 6:23 p.m
The public part of Elizabeth II’s state funeral has ended: the Queen’s coffin has been lowered into the royal crypt at Windsor Castle. At noon, 2,000 guests thought of the deceased in Westminster Abbey.
The public part of Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral came to an end with the funeral service. The coffin was lowered into the royal crypt beneath St George’s Chapel in Windsor. Previously, the insignia, crown, scepter and orb had been taken from the coffin and placed on the altar.
In addition to the royals, representatives of the countries whose head of state was the Queen took part in the service. Later, Elizabeth II is to be buried in a side chapel alongside her Prince Consort Philip, who died last year, as well as her parents and sister.
Hundreds of military personnel and dignitaries accompanied the Queen on the procession from London to Windsor Castle. The hearse drove down the historic Long Walk to Windsor Castle, accompanied by the ringing of bells and a gun salute. Thousands of people had gathered on both sides of the avenue.
Hundreds of thousands in the city center
The state funeral was meticulously scheduled: at 11:44 a.m. (12:44 p.m. CEST), the coffin wrapped in the royal standard was carried from Parliament’s Westminster Hall, where a number of people had paid their last respects to the Queen in state, to nearby Westminster Abbey.
A number of soldiers in full dress uniforms walked past the sites of Elizabeth’s 70-year reign, such as Buckingham Palace, with the coffin. Many of the uniforms and ceremonies reminded many viewers of the former British Empire, which continued to crumble during Elizabeth’s reign.
Hours before the service, all areas along the route were packed, and newcomers were escorted into Hyde Park, where the ceremony was shown on giant screens. Hundreds of thousands of onlookers crowded the city center.
“Touched a multitude of lives”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, honored Elizabeth II as a devoted head of state in Westminster Abbey in front of 2000 guests from all over the world. In his homily, Welby said, “In any case, those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privilege are forgotten.”
He saw the reason for the great sympathy in her way of approaching people. “She was joyful, was there for so many, and touched so many lives,” Welby continued. The Archbishop also recalled the Queen’s widely acclaimed speech to the nation during the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, Elizabeth II encouraged her subjects and said: “We will meet again.”
Solemn service and funeral procession in honor of the Queen
Anna Mundt, ARD London, daily news at 2:00 p.m., September 19, 2022
King Charles III visibly touched
The Queen’s son, King Charles III, was visibly touched during the ceremony. When the national anthem “God save the king” was played at the end, the eyes of the monarch, who did not sing along, seemed to fill with tears. Even during the funeral procession to Westminster Abbey, when Charles and other royals followed the Queen’s coffin, the king had seemed moved.
In addition to members of the British royal family and representatives of other royal houses, numerous heads of state and government such as US President Joe Biden attended the funeral service. Germany was represented by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The new British Prime Minister Liz Truss was among the guests, as were her surviving predecessors. Some deserving citizens were also invited to the funeral service in Westminster Abbey.
Massive security measures
At the end of the service in Westminster Abbey, the signal “The Last Post” sounded. After two minutes of silence, the Queen’s bagpiper performed “Sleep, dearie, sleep”. Finally, the national anthem “God Save the King” was sung. Air traffic in London was suspended for half an hour so that around 2,000 guests could commemorate the Elizabeth II ceremony in silence.
Elizabeth II died on September 8th at the age of 96 – and after 70 years on the British throne. An era ended with her death, and the event triggered sadness and sympathy worldwide. The Queen’s state funeral is Britain’s first since the death of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1965.
The funeral ceremonies for the Queen are taking place under massive security measures. For those unable to travel to London or Windsor, the funeral service was broadcast in cinemas and many churches. Screens were also set up in public places.