Monday, September 19, saw billions of people around the world tune in to watch the emotional funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen’s committal service in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
The day had been declared a national bank holiday in the UK so people could pay their respects to Her Majesty.
It was one which was steeped in history, the funeral uniting the world in silence as they paid their respects to the Queen, before her coffin was taken to Windsor to be reunited with her beloved Prince Philip.
Here’s how events unfolded on the unforgettable day.
6.30am: Lying-in-state at Westminster Hall ended
The Lying-in-State of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall came to an end at 6.30am.
Since Wednesday, hundreds of thousands of mourners have braved long queues in order to pay their final respects to the Queen.
Well-wishers were turned away to ensure that everyone in line could have a chance at seeing Her Majesty’s coffin before the cut off.
Sorry, this video isn't available any more.
8am: The doors to Westminster Abbey opened
The doors to Westminster Abbey, where the funeral was held, opened three hours early to the 2,000 invitees.
The Abbey is the resting place of Kings and Queens including Elizabeth I – going back 700 years.
As well as members of the Royal Family, world leaders, monarchs, past and present members of the Queen’s Household, 17 recipients of the Victoria Cross, and other notable figures attended the ceremony.
Sorry, this video isn't available any more.
Heads of state and other Royal families from across the world were seated in the South transept, while recipients of the Victoria Cross and other honours were in the North transept.
Prime Minister Liz Truss was joined by the leaders of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales in the choir stalls.
10.44am: Procession of the Queen’s coffin to Westminster Abbey
At this time, the coffin left Westminster Hall and travelled in the State Gun Carriage to Westminster Abbey.
A procession, led by the Royal Navy, led through New Palace Yard, Parliament Square and Broad Sanctuary and the Sanctuary, before reaching the Abbey.
King Charles III and his siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward joined the procession, along with his sons Princes William and Harry.
10.52am: The Queen’s coffin arrived at Westminster Abbey
Seventeen minutes later, the coffin arrived at the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey.
Joined by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the coffin was placed in front of the high altar.
11am: The Queen’s funeral began
The hour-long funeral service, led by the Dean of Westminster, began at 11am.
The service and processions were broadcast live on BBC One, ITV and Sky News for those who wished to watch at home.
You can view the full order of service here.
Lessons were read by Ms Truss and the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
The Archbishop of Canterbury also gave a sermon.
Sorry, this video isn't available any more.
11.55am: The service concluded
The Last Post, a musical ‘call’ associated with military ceremonies and wartime remembrance, played from the Lady Chapel at the end of the service.
The distinctive tune is usually played on a trumpet, cornet, or bugle, and is seen as a final farewell to symbolise that the duty of the fallen soldier was over and they could rest in peace.
The Last Post was followed by a two minute silence that was observed throughout the UK and across the world.
Sorry, this video isn't available any more.
The Reveille, a similar three-note tune to the Last Post, was played to mark the end of the silence.
The National Anthem followed by a lament played by the Queen’s piper brought the State Funeral Service to a close.
12.15pm: The Queen’s coffin began journey to Windsor
Following the funeral, the Queen’s coffin travelled by gun carriage from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch near Hyde Park Corner, arriving at 1pm.
King Charles III and members of the Royal Family walked behind the coffin to Wellington Arch, via Parliament Square, Parliament Street, Whitehall, Horse Guards, The Mall, Queen’s Gardens, finally Constitution Hill and Apsley Way.
The Procession included detachments from the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth. Minute Guns were fired in Hyde Park by The King’s Troop and Royal Horse Artillery, while Big Ben tolled throughout the duration of the Procession.
Spontaneous applause and cheers rang out as the royal hearse passed through west London.
Sorry, this video isn't available any more.
At Wellington Arch, the coffin was transferred to the State Hearse to travel to Windsor.
As the State Hearse departed Wellington Arch, the Parade gave a Royal Salute and the National Anthem was played.
The hearse took the following route to Windsor:
- Apsley Way
- South Carriage Drive
- Queens Gate
- Cromwell Road
- Talgarth Road (via Hammersmith Flyover)
- Great West Road (A4)
- Great South West Road (A30)
- London Road (A30) (via under Chiswick Flyover)
- Staines Road (A30)
- Windsor Road (A308)
- Albert Road (A308) to Shaw Farm Gate
3.06pm: Procession of the Queen’s coffin to St George’s Chapel
In Windsor, the final procession to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, via the Long Walk, began at Shaw Farm Gate on Albert Road.
Once again, there was a congregation of Royal Family members and The King behind the State Hearse.
At 3.06pm, the State Hearse approached Shaw Farm Gate on Albert Road.
The procession headed towards St George’s Chapel via the Long Walk at 3.10pm.
Minute Guns were fired on the East Lawn, Windsor Castle by the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, and Sebastopol Bell and the Curfew Tower Bell tolled.
At 3.20pm, the congregation began to enter St George’s Chapel for the committal service.
Five minutes later, at 3.25pm, some members of the royal family who didn’t join the procession arrived at St George’s Chapel for the service.
At 3.40pm, King Charles III and other royal family members who were walking in the procession joined it at the quadrangle on the north side as it passed into Engine Court.
And at 3.53pm, the procession arrived at the bottom of the West Steps of St George’s Chapel in Horseshoe Cloister. The bearer party lifted the coffin out of the hearse and took it up the West Steps.
As well as the public, the procession was also watched by two of the Queen’s beloved corgis, Muick and Sandy, as well as her horse, Emma.
4pm: The Queen’s committal service
Once the Queen’s coffin was in the chapel, a televised Committal Service took place, held by the Dean of Windsor.
The service was broadcast live on BBC One, ITV and Sky News for those who wished to watch at home.
Accompanying the Dean of Windsor, there were prayers said by the Rector of Sandringham, the Minister of Crathie Kirk, and the Chaplain of Windsor Great Park.
You can read the full order of service here.
The King and members of the Royal Family were in attendance at the ceremony, as well as past and present members of the Queen’s Household, Governors General, and Realm Prime Ministers.
Sorry, this video isn't available any more.
The Choir of St George’s Chapel sang during the service.
The King then placed the Queen’s Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on the coffin. At the same time, The Lord Chamberlain ‘broke’ his Wand of Office and placed it on the casket.
As the Queen’s coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault, the Dean of Windsor said a Psalm and the Commendation before Garter King of Arms pronounced Her Majesty’s styles and titles.
The Sovereign’s Piper played a Lament and The Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced the Blessing. The National Anthem was sung at the end of the service.
7.30pm: The Queen was interred
The Queen was then interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel in Windsor Castle privately.
The chapel is named after the Queen’s father, who was buried there in 1952 after his death earlier that year.
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother was buried in the chapel after she died aged 101 in 2002.
Princess Margaret also died in 2002, seven weeks before the Queen Mother. Her ashes were brought to the chapel following the Queen Mother’s death so she could be with her parents.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, will move from the Royal Vault in St Georges Chapel to the King George VI Memorial Chapel once the Queen is buried there.
Later in the evening: Private burial of the Queen
A private burial took place in The King George VI Memorial Chapel, conducted by the Dean of Windsor.
The Queen was buried together with her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh – to whom she was married for 73 years until his death in April 2021.
MORE : William and Kate pay heartfelt tribute to Queen after private burial
MORE : Stunning picture of Queen shared by Royal Family after final farewell
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Share your views in the comments below
Share this with