Queen's funeral: World's final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II in state funeral at Westminster Abbey
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Queen Elizabeth II ruled over the UK and Commonwealth for more than 70 years, celebrating her Platinum Jubilee earlier in 2022. She was Britain's longest-serving monarch, ascending the throne in 1952 and remaining dedicated to her duty until her death on Thursday, September 8 at the age of 96.
Tributes were paid to her lifetime of service at the state funeral on Monday, September 19 with some of the world's most prestigious leaders and politicians joining the Royal Family in paying their respects.
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Hide AdThe nation fell quiet as a two-minute silence was held to mark the end of the funeral service, followed by a burst of applause and emotion as the national anthem, now God Save the King, rang out across the Abbey and elsewhere.
Mourners lined the streets in London and surrounded Windsor Castle in an incredible show of respect for the Queen and all she represented to so many.
Her final resting place is the King George VI memorial chapel, in Windsor, alongside her late husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He died in April 2021, at the age of 99.
With well-wishers from across the globe present in London to play a part in the landmark occasion, we brought you coverage from our reporter Georgina Cutler in the capital as well as from across the North East with the rest of our team.
See our coverage from Queen Elizabeth II’s final journey below
Queen Elizabeth II: World’s final goodbye to the Queen in state funeral at Westminster Abbey - updates
Key Events
- History is made as the state funeral for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II took place at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday, September 19.
- Thousands of well-wishers are in London to pay their respects, as world leaders and global politicians visit for the service.
- The service marks the last day of national mourning following the death of the Queen. The period of Royal Mourning will continue until seven days after the funeral.
More from Georgina at Hyde Park
People are standing quietly listening to the service on speakers in Hyde Park, Georgina Cutler reports.
Many people are listening to proceedings with their heads down, taking a moment for their own respects to the late Queen.
A floral tribute
The wreath which adorns the Queen’s coffin includes flowers requested by King Charles.
Cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House, the flowers and foliage have been chosen for their symbolism.
They include rosemary, for remembrance, and myrtle cut from a plant which was grown from a sprig of myrtle in the Queen’s wedding bouquet. Myrtle is an ancient symbol of a happy marriage.
Also included are English oak to symbolise the strength of love, pelargoniums, garden roses, autumnal hydrangea, sedum, dahlias and scabious.
These are in shades of gold, pink and deep burgundy, with touches of white, to reflect the Royal Standard.
Mother and son
His Majesty the King salutes the late Queen’s coffin on its arrival to Westminster Abbey. Picture: PA.
Witnessing history
The Queen’s state funeral has begun with the grieving royal family, world leaders and representatives of the nation among those witnessing history.
A single toll from Big Ben signalled the start of the service at Westminster Abbey, where kings and queens have been crowned since 1066, and where the new monarch was sitting surrounded by the royal family he now leads.
King Charles III and his siblings – the Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex – had marched behind their mother’s coffin as it travelled the short distance from Westminster Hall, where the Queen had been lying in state for four days, to the ancient Abbey.
Tens of thousands have filled the capital to pay their last respects just a few hours after the last person had filed past the Queen’s coffin, bringing to a close the symbolic ritual.
A reading
Reading the First Lesson, from Corinthians 15, Baroness Scotland told the congregation: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
The verses included the lines: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Poignant photos as Sunderland and Durham reflect on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II
As Queen Elizabeth II embarks on the final journey of her record-breaking reign, iconic landmarks across the North East region were bathed in light as a local tribute to the late monarch.
Thank you, Ma’am.
Her final journey
A reminder about the two-minute silence later this morning
A national two-minute silence will be marked at the end of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral service, at around 11.55am.
‘We will meet again'
In his sermon at the state funeral of the Queen, the Archbishop of Canterbury has told mourners the “grief” felt around the world over her death “arises from her abundant life and loving service”, adding: “She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.”
The Most Rev Justin Welby said: “People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer. But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are forgotten. The grief of this day – felt not only by the late Queen’s family but all round the nation, Commonwealth and world – arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone from us.”
He added: “We will all face the merciful judgement of God: we can all share the Queen’s hope which in life and death inspired her servant leadership. Service in life, hope in death. All who follow the Queen’s example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: ‘We will meet again.’”