Spain's Queen Letizia shares Royal Family's grief for Queen Elizabeth II in funeral appearance

Spain's Queen Letizia shares Royal Family's grief for Queen Elizabeth II in funeral appearance
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Tom Evans

By Tom Evans


Published: 19/09/2022

- 12:30

Updated: 19/09/2022

- 12:41

Queen Letizia, wife of Spain's King Felipe VI, showed her respect for Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family during the late monarch's state funeral

Spain's Queen Letizia shared the Royal Family's grief for Queen Elizabeth II as she attended the former monarch's funeral at Westminster Abbey.

She was part of a strong Spanish contingent in London.


Two generations of the country's royal family were in attendance: current King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and Felipe's parents former King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.

King Felipe was Queen Elizabeth II's third cousin – and affectionately called her "Auntie Lilibet" –while his father King Juan Carlos is the great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria.

In a telegram sent to Buckingham Palace, King Felipe said her "sense of duty, commitment and lifetime of service to the people of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland were an example to us all and will remain a strong and valuable legacy for future generations".

It came as Prince William put aside his differences with Prince Harry to walk side by side in an emotional show of unity behind Queen Elizabeth II's coffin.

With thousands of mourners in London to pay their respects to the late monarch, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex followed King Charles III in the walk towards Westminster Abbey.

They were joined by the wider Royal Family – with the King, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward taking leading roles.

The royals joined dignitaries from around the world in the more than 1,000-year-old abbey as they pay their respects to the beloved Queen Elizabeth II.

After proceedings conclude, the procession will set 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.

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will then set off for Windsor by car, leading other members of the Royal Family.

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.

Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby speaking during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Monday September 19, 2022. Gareth Fuller/Pool via REUTERS
Queen Letizia in Westminster Abbey
POOL

Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral
Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral
Dominic Lipinski

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin
HANNAH MCKAY

Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia attend, on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, September 19, 2022.   REUTERS/Phil Noble/Pool
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain
PHIL NOBLE

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