Lying-in-state ends hours before Queen’s funeral
Queen’s Elizabeth II’s state funeral has started, after King Charles III led a procession bringing her coffin from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey.
The new monarch was accompanied by his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, and by other members of his family.
Some 2,000 mourners – including world leaders like US president Joe Biden – took their seats earlier in the 1,269-year-old church ahead of the funeral.
France’s Emmanuel Macron, Brazil’s Jair Bolsanaro and New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern are among those attending the service.
All six living former British prime ministers – John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson – are also in attendance.
Ahead of her funeral, the longest-reigning monarch’s coffin was lying-in-state from Wednesday evening.
The state funeral on Monday is the first of its kind since that of Winston Churchill in 1965, and will take the form of an elaborate ceremony, after which Her Majesty’s coffin will be transported to Windsor Castle.
Queen’s coffin carried into Westminster Abbey
The Queen’s coffin has been carried into Westminster Abbey.
(Reuters)
Andy Gregory19 September 2022 11:01
Watch: Liz Truss arrives at Westminster Abbey
Here is footage of the moment that Liz Trussa arrived at Westminster Abbey.
The prime minister was among 2,000 people, including other politicians, world leaders, and the royal family, expected to attend the historic ceremony.
Liz Truss greeted by Archbishop of Westminster as she arrives for Queen’s funeral.
Andy Gregory19 September 2022 10:59
Parliament Square watches as procession unfolds
My colleague Zoe Tidman reports from Parliament Square:
Phones stretched high in the air and people towered over each other, standing in window panes and sitting on walls to catch a glimpse of the procession.
One woman whispered ‘there she is’ as the Queen was carried to Westminster Abbey.
(Zoe Tidman/The Independent)
(Zoe Tidman/The Indpendent)
Andy Gregory19 September 2022 10:57
Queen Consort wears floral-trim hat to Queen’s funeral.
The Queen Consort is wearing a black coat dress, accessorised with a black floral hat and short matching veil. Saman Javed reports:
Queen Consort wears floral-trim hat to Queen’s funeral.
The Queen’s funeral is being held at Westminster Abbey.
Andy Gregory19 September 2022 10:54
Pictured: Royals arrive for Queen’s funeral
Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, travels to the Queen’s funeral.
(REUTERS)
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrives at Westminster Abbey.
(Getty Images)
Sarah, Duchess of York, walks into Westminster Abbey.
(REUTERS)
My colleague Harry Cockburn has more details on the Sussex’s arrival at Westminster:
Prince Harry and Meghan pictured together ahead of Queen’s state funeral
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived for the funeral procession to Westminster Abbey ahead of the Queen’s State funeral.
Rory Sullivan19 September 2022 10:50
Queen’s children and grandchildren follow her coffin to Westminster Abbey
The Queen’s children can be seen following closely behind their mother’s coffin as it is taken to Westminster Hall.
Princes William and Harry can be seen side-by-side, just a few steps behind their father, aunt and uncles.
(Reuters)
Andy Gregory19 September 2022 10:50
Queen’s coffin starts procession to Westminster Hall.
The procession has now begun.
Here is another view of the Queen’s coffin as it was placed onto the gun carriage which will take it to Westminster Abbey.
(Reuters)
Andy Gregory19 September 2022 10:48
Queen’s coffin taken from Westminster Hall
The Queen’s coffin is being taken from Westminster Hallsd, draped in the Royal Standard and bearing the Imperial State Crown, orb and sceptre.
It has been placed onto the 123-year-old gun carriage which will take it to Westminster Abbey, which was brought into New Palace Yard by 98 Royal Navy sailors.
(Reuters)
Andy Gregory19 September 2022 10:44
King Charles and senior royals arrive at Westminster Hall ahead of procession.
King Charles and members of the royal family have arrived at the Palace of Westminster after driving the short distance from Buckingham Palace.
Charles waved at well-wishers from the back seat of his vehicle, which was one of four cars to arrive at Westminster Hall, where they were greeted by Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
There were cheers from the crowds as the cars drove past, with the streets packed full of people trying to get a glimpse at the King, who will soon walk behind his mother’s coffin as it is taken in a procession to Westminster Abbey.
(Getty Images)
King Charles is greeted by Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
(BBC screengrab)
Andy Gregory19 September 2022 10:41
Queen’s coffin to be moved shortly from Westminster Hall
In a few minutes, the Queen’s coffin will be lifted from the catafalque where it has stood in Westminster Hall by pall-bearers of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, of which the Queen was company commander.
It will be draped with the Royal Standard and carrying the imperial state crown, orb and sceptre.
Her Majesty will then be moved from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey at 10.44am on Monday for the funeral service.
The route to Westminster Abbey, which will be lined by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, will go from Parliament Square to Broad Sanctuary and the Sanctuary.
Thomas Kingsley19 September 2022 10:34
