The event is expected to draw millions to the streets of London, bring together hundreds of leaders within the grounds of Westminster Abbey and cost some 10 million euros. The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Monday, September 19, is in more ways than one a moment in history. At the end of four days of a spectacular and popular vigil, the public was invited, from 7.30 a.m., to leave Westminster Hall, where the sovereign’s coffin was on public display, with a view to transporting it to the abbey. of Westminster. It is in this emblematic place, where Elizabeth II was crowned queen in 1952, that the state funeral ceremony will be held at noon (French time).
Died on September 8 at the age of 96 at her residence in Balmoral, Scotland, the sovereign will be buried in the early evening at Windsor Castle, in the chapel of Saint-Georges, alongside her husband, Prince Philip. Their son, King Charles III, took his place on the throne. A challenge in a country in the grip of an economic and political crisis which saw in its queen, very popular, a symbol of unity.
A program set like clockwork. From 11:35 a.m. (French time), the coffin of Elizabeth II will be transported to a Royal Navy gun carriage, pulled by 142 sailors. They will set off at 11:44 a.m. for a short procession to the abbey. The coffin, which is due to arrive at 11.52 a.m. in front of the abbey, will be followed on foot by King Charles III and the other members of the royal family. Shortly before 1 p.m., the bugle will sound, marking the start of two minutes of silence across the UK. At 1:15 p.m., the coffin will once again be installed on the gun carriage, for a final procession, to the sound of Big Ben and cannon shots. Arrived at Wellington Arch, the body will be placed in the hearse and taken to Windsor Castle, where the Royal Family and the 15 Prime Ministers of the various countries of which the British sovereign is Head of State will attend a funeral ceremony at 5 p.m. .
Over 2,000 guests in Westminster Abbey. This state funeral, the first since the death of Winston Churchill in 1965, will bring together some 2,000 guests at Westminter Abbey, including several hundred world leaders, many crowned heads and nearly 200 anonymous heroes. Outside the abbey, the funeral is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people, Reuters news agency estimated. (link in English). A historic event that calls for the largest-ever deployment of police to the streets of London and the largest operation to protect heads of state and royals in the police’s 200-year history, according to the chief of the London police, quoted by the agency.
The first steps of King Charles III. The new king in Wales completed his tour across the United Kingdom on Friday. The funeral of Elizabeth II will mark the end of 12 days of immense national emotion which will have made it possible, with the solemnity of which the British monarchy has the secret, to accompany the queen to her final resting place and her heir to settle on the throne. The latter has thus chained tributes and official commitments since the death of his mother.