SW News: Britain being a nation where protocol and etiquette matter a lot, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the country’s longest reigning monarch will be held as per the established, long-standing traditions. After the coffin containing her mortal remains is brought to London from Scotland, it will be taken in procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where the Queen will lie in state for nearly four days for the public to pay their last respects to their beloved monarch after a brief service.
The casket will be placed on an elevated catafalque in the Hall dating back to the 11th century. The four corners will be guarded by soldiers belonging to the military units that guard the Royal Household. Westminster Hall is the oldest portion of the Palace of Westminster, which is also the hub of the British government.
Before being carried to Westminster Hall, the coffin will be draped in the Royal Standard emblazoned with three golden lions symbolizing England, a red lion representing Scotland and a harp for Ireland. The Imperial State Crown sporting the St Edward’s sapphire on the cross-shaped crest, the Black Prince’s ruby and the Cullinan II diamond will also be placed on the casket. The royal orb and sceptre will be placed on the coffin once it reaches Westminster Hall. The orb has a bejewelled cross on top symbolizing Christendom while the 92cm golden scepter is topped with the Cullinan I diamond cut from the world’s largest gemstone.
The funeral of the late Queen will take place at Westminster Abbey within two weeks. Buckingham Palace is yet to confirm the date. The historic abbey is the venue of the coronation of British monarchs over the centuries. It was here that Queen Elizabeth’s coronation took place in 1953 when Britain was slowly recovering from the aftermath of World War II. Six years earlier, she married Prince Philip in the same church.
On the day of the funeral, the Queen’s coffin will be taken to Westminster Abbey on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy. It was last used in 1979 for the funeral of Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India and the uncle of Prince Philip. King Charles III and other members of the royal family will follow the hearse in procession. The funeral service will be led by the Dean of Westminster Rev. David Hoyle while the homily will be given by Canterbury Archbishop The Most Rev. Justin Welby.
After the service, the hearse will proceed in procession to Wellington Arch near Hyde Park Corner before leaving for Windsor. The same afternoon, the coffin will be taken to St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. King Charles and other senior Royal Family members will join the procession in the Quadrangle of the Castle before the coffin is taken to the chapel for a committal service. This chapel regularly witnesses royal christenings, weddings and funerals. After the committal service, the coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault before being buried in the King George VI memorial chapel inside.