The UK is currently in the middle of a national mourning period for the late Queen. After four days of lying-in-state at Westminster Hall, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday 8 September, took place today (19 September).
The Queen makes her final journey from Westminster Hall to Windsor to be ultimately laid to rest in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, alongside her late family members. So, what happens on the day of the Queen’s funeral, and what is the map for the route of the funeral procession?
When was Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral?
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The Queen’s state funeral took place at Westminster Abbey, London, at 11am on Monday 19 September. After the funeral, the late Queen was taken to Windsor Castle to her final resting place in St George’s Chapel, where she will be buried alongside her parents, sister Princess Margaret and the Duke of Edinburgh.
What happened during Queen Elizabeth’s funeral?
The late Queen’s state funeral had three parts. It began with a service at Westminster Abbey at 11am which will be attended by world leaders, representatives of the Commonwealth, emergency services workers, representatives of the Queen’s charity patronages and the wider Royal family.
There will then be a televised committal ceremony in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, at 4pm and a private interment in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at 7.30pm.
What are the timings for the Queen’s funeral, including the funeral procession?
There are a number of key events that will take place during the day of the Queen’s funeral.
Here are the confirmed timings for these events.
- 6.30am: The public lying in state ends and Westminster Hall is closed to the public.
- 10.44am: The Queen’s coffin will be placed onto the gun carriage for the short procession to Westminster Abbey, followed on foot by the King and senior members of the Royal family, arriving at 10.52am.
- 11am: The Queen’s funeral service begins.
- 11.55am: Towards the end of the funeral service, the Last Post will be played followed by a national two minute silence that will be observed in the Abbey and across the country. A lament played by the Queen’s piper will bring an end to the service.
- Around midday: The Queen’s coffin will then be placed back on the gun carriage and taken to Wellington Arch in a procession, led by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, together with NHS workers, officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the British Armed Forces.
- 3.06pm: The Queen’s coffin arrives at Windsor at the Shaw Farm Gate, with the hearse driving slowly up the Long Walk where the public are expected to line the route.
- 4pm: There will be a televised committal ceremony in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, at the end of which the Lord Chamberlain will break his stick of office over the coffin and it will be lowered into the royal vault, out of view.
- 7.30pm: A private interment will take place in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, the small venue where Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin will be reunited with that of her husband Prince Philip’s coffin.
Is the day of the Queen’s funeral a bank holiday?
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Yes, the day of the Queen’s funeral is a bank holiday, as declared by King Charles III. Many shops are closing as a result of the bank holiday to allow staff and customers the chance to pay tribute to the late Queen in private, and many workers are also being given the day off work too. Schools will also be closed to allow pupils, teachers and other staff to pay their respects.