National Anthem plays out at Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral service ahead of procession to Wellington Arch

National Anthem plays out at Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral service ahead of procession to Wellington Arch
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Tom Evans

By Tom Evans


Published: 19/09/2022

- 12:10

Updated: 19/09/2022

- 12:10

The National Anthem, played by Queen Elizabeth II's piper, sounded out at Westminster Abbey

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin has been carried to the state gun carriage before it is moved to Wellington Arch.

In moving scenes, thousands descended on London to pay their respects to the late monarch – both outside and in Westminster Abbey.


Heads of state and overseas government representatives, including foreign royal families, governors-general and realm prime ministers initially gathered at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, on Monday morning.

They then travelled under collective arrangements to Westminster Abbey, now over 1,000 years old, ahead of arguably the biggest funeral in Britain's history.

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is loaded on to a gun carriage pulled by Royal Navy soldiers to go from Westminster Hall for her funeral service in Westminster Abbey in central London, Monday Sept. 19, 2022. The Queen, who died aged 96 on Sept. 8, will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year.     Nariman El-Mofty/Pool via REUTERS
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin on the Royal Navy's state gun carriage
POOL

With mourners watching around the world, Queen Elizabeth II's coffin was lifted from the catafalque at Westminster Hall shortly after 10.30am.

The Last Post was played out as Queen Elizabeth II's funeral came to its conclusion
The Last Post was played out as Queen Elizabeth II's funeral came to its conclusion
POOL

It was then carried by The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, in procession to the Royal Navy's state gun carriage.

The gun carriage, drawn by 142 Royal Navy service personnel, set off shortly after – followed on foot by the King and members of the Royal Family.

The state funeral got under way at around 11am and was brought to its final moments by the sounding of The Last Post followed by a national two-minute silence.

Reveille, the National Anthem and a lament, played by the Queen’s Piper, then brought the state funeral service to an end at approximately noon.

After proceedings concluded in the historic abbey, the procession off for Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner.

The state hearse will later depart on its journey to Windsor as the parade gives a royal salute and the National Anthem is played.

The King, joined by Queen Consort Camilla and other members of the Royal Family, will then depart for Windsor by car.

The coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth is carried into the Westminster Abbey on the day of her state funeral and burial, in London, Britain, September 19, 2022.  REUTERS/Hannah McKay/Pool
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin
HANNAH MCKAY

A committal service will take place in Windsor Castle's historic St George's Chapel this afternoon, after which members of the Royal Family will depart the Galilee Porch and bring a close to the public ceremonial arrangements.

A private burial service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor at 7.30pm, attended by the King and members of the Royal Family.

Queen Elizabeth II will then be buried together with her beloved Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the King George VI Memorial Chapel.

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin as the service drew to a close
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin as the service drew to a close
POOL

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