Friday 9 September 2022 09:52 PM Archbishop of Canterbury says 'extraordinary' Queen had 'no fear of death' trends now
The Archbishop of Canterbury has revealed that Queen Elizabeth II had 'no fear of death' and was absolutely committed to the Christian conception of public service and selflessness after thousands of well-wishers hailed the monarch's astonishing life at a memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral.
Justin Welby described his final encounter with the Queen, who was the Supreme Head of the Church of England as well as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of Britain's Armed Forces, after her death at Balmoral Castle aged 96 on Thursday afternoon.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I came away thinking there is someone who has no fear of death, has hope in the future, knows the rock on which she stands and that gives her the strength, as it gives His Majesty the strength, to be that sense of permanence and of continuity.
'You felt that history was in front of you, but it was history with those piercingly blue eyes twinkling, that extraordinary smile and the relishing of a quick dry comment.'
The archbishop was among 2,000 members of the public and political figures including Prime Minister Liz Truss, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and London Mayor Sadiq Khan at St Paul's in London at the first significant religious event marking Her Majesty's death - where mourners later sang God Save the King.
The ancient place of worship fell silent as the congregation listened to audio of King Charles III's first address to the world as monarch.
At 6pm, the unmistakable voice of Charles - referred to as 'our new King' - filled the cathedral - a historic setting fit for the momentous occasion of a nation hearing its new monarch speak publicly for the first time. As people gathered around television screens from John o' Groats to Land's End, mourners sat side by side in the packed cathedral almost 24 hours after Buckingham Palace announced the Queen's death.
Then at 7.05pm, after the Archbishop of Canterbury delivered a blessing, the first official public rendition of God Save the King took place as the service neared its conclusion.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby during the Service of Prayer and Reflection at St Paul's Cathedral
A lone piper plays a lament during the Service of Prayer and Reflection at St Paul's Cathedral
A woman takes a picture after participating in a service of prayer and reflection, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II
Prime Minister Liz Truss speaks during a service of prayer and reflection at St Paul's Cathedral
Members of the public wait opposite St Paul's Cathedral, during of a Service of Remembrance to honour the life of Queen Elizabeth II, in London
Members of the congregation attend the Service of Prayer and Reflection at St Paul's Cathedral
Prime Minister Liz Truss departs after the Service of Prayer and Reflection at St Paul's Cathedral
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby during a service of prayer and reflection
Keir Starmer, Leader of the Opposition, leaves a service of prayer and reflection at St Paul's Cathedral
An armed police officer stands guard as people leave a Service of Prayer and Reflection for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul's Cathedral
Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng (left) and Home Secretary Suella Braverman (right) leaving St Paul's
Prime Minister Liz Truss leaving St Paul's Cathedral after the service of prayer and reflection
Mourners are seen leaving St Paul's Cathedral after the service of prayer and reflection
Earlier, the Archbishop of Canterbury sparked laughter in the chamber as he recounted the holding of barbeques at Sandringham in January, labelling it 'fortitude'.
The top cleric sparked further amusement when he added: 'She had a dry sense of humour and the
