The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II has taken place at Westminster Abbey.
A procession took the Queen’s coffin from Westminster Hall, where it had been lying in state since Wednesday, to Westminster Abbey, where she was married in 1947 and crowned in 1953.
The coffin, draped in the Royal Standard flag, displayed the Imperial State Crown and Sovereign’s orb and spectre, as well as a wreath of flowers requested by King Charles and a personal message from the new sovereign, “In loving and devoted memory.”
A congregation of 2,000, made up of several hundred dignitaries, was seated in the abbey, many of whom had travelled from around the world, including Governor Martyn Roper and Premier Wayne Panton.
Former British prime ministers, including John Major and Tony Blair, also attended the state funeral. The Queen saw 15 serve in the role during her reign.
The service began with the Dean of Westminster, who remembered the Queen’s “unswerving commitment to a high calling over so many years as Queen and head of the Commonwealth”.
“Death is swallowed up in victory” read Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.
The Archbishop of Canterbury delivered the sermon.
“Few leaders receive the outpouring of love we have seen,” he said.
He offered prayers for the Royal Family, grieving under the “brightest spotlight”.
He recalled the Queen’s message of hope during lockdown as he quoted “We will meet again”.
A series of prayers were next delivered by church leaders from the UK, including from the Archbishop of Westminster who gave thanks for the Queen’s “commitment to the Commonwealth throughout her reign, for her service and dedication to its peoples”.
The Archbishop of Canterbury offered prayers entrusting the Queen’s soul to God for “thy merciful keeping, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life” before trumpeters played the Last Post and two minutes of silence were observed – across the nation and around the world.
The congregation sung the new national anthem, before the Queen’s piper played “Sleep, dearie, sleep”.
The Queen’s coffin was then borne in procession out of the Abbey, with the new King and Queen Consort following the bearer party.
Crowds from around the UK, who were shown during the moment’s silence, also gathered across the capital and along the procession route to pay tribute. Many threw flowers at the state hearse; applause and cries of “hip, hip, hooray” could also be heard.
After the procession, the state hearse travelled to Windsor and on to St. George’s Chapel.
A private service for members of the Royal Family will be held later on Monday.
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