Monday 19 September 2022 10:47 AM Royals gather for solemn walk behind Queen's coffin trends now
The Queen has began her final and saddest journey to Westminster Abbey as Britain says farewell to its longest-serving monarch and the royals mourned a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Her Majesty was carried in her oak coffin to the gun carriage used by her parents and was followed by her son, the King, and her relatives including the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex.
The grieving Royal Family has arrived at Westminster Hall as they prepare to say farewell to Elizabeth II at her state funeral along with 2,000 VIPs and an estimated 2million people in central London.
There were cheers and clapping as Prince William, the Princess of Wales and their children George and Charlotte were swept into Parliament Square. King Charles III and Queen Consort, Camilla arrived minutes later.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled down The Mall with a police escort. Harry was seen looking sombre as he was driven in a Range Rover from Wellington Arch, down Constitution Hill and on The Mall towards St James' Palace.
He then stood side by side with his brother, before the royals entered Westminster Hall, where the Queen had been lying in state.
World leaders including Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron arrived at Westminster Abbey around an hour before the service began.
The UK's most important church began filling up from 8am as the congregation arrived up to three hours early - including Kate Middleton's parents - as huge crowds of mourners packed the procession route outside and tens of thousands more went to Windsor, where Her Majesty will be buried later.
The Queen begins her final journey from Westminster Hall
King Charles III is seen on The Mall ahead of The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, and his children arrive at Westminster Hall. Charlotte was next to her father. George was in the back
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arriv e
Michael and Carole Middleton were among hundreds of VIPs who arrived at the UK's most important church - where Her Majesty married Prince Philip and had her coronation.
2,000 royals, world leaders and hundreds of members of the public have began filing into the Abbey as billions around the world will watch Her Majesty's state funeral.
Most of the VIPs arrived by coach, meeting at the Royal Hospital Chelsea before being put on a bus into Central London. Britain's ministers - past and present - were among the first arrivals including Nadham Zahawi, Ben Wallace and Jacob Rees-Mogg. But US President Jo Biden went to the Abbey in The Beast - his bomb-proof limousine.
Michael and Carole Middleton, the parents of Kate, the Princess of Wales, arrived two hours early for the service, followed by Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Consort, Camilla. They were also on a bus together - despite their close links to the Royal Family. Celebrities at the funeral include TV personality Bear Grylls.
Funeral flowers in the abbey featured myrtle - which was used in the Queen's wedding bouquet as is royal tradition. The huge white and green displays of blooms included asiatic lilies, gladioli, alstroemeria, eustoma and foliage of English oak, weeping birch and the sprigs of myrtle.
Around the coffin will stand the four tall yellow candles which usually rest around the grave of the unknown warrior at the entrance to the historic church.
And outside hardy royal fans defied no-camping rules, as people of all ages set up tents, deck chairs and even a makeshift minibar to grab premium seats for the spectacle that will see 2million flood into the capital. By 8.30am member of the public were told that the procession route was full and began diverting people to Hyde Park to watch on the big screens.
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive, on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth
A long line of mourners walk into the UK's most important church
The congregation were in place several hours before the Queen's coffin arrived
Prime Minister Liz Truss arrives at Westminster Abbey for the service this morning
Former prime minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May arrive at Westminster Abbey for the service this morning
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the state funeral this morning
Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma - who was friends with the Queen and Prince Philip - at the Abbey
U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive for the State Funeral
The Macrons arrived from Paris yesterday - when they went to see the Queen lying in state
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte file into the Abbey today as world leaders gathered to say farewell
Former prime minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson arrive at Westminster Abbey this morning
Former prime minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha outside Westminster Abbey this morning
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon arrives for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey today
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins spoke to clergy as he arrived at the funeral
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro (right) and his wife Michelle Bolsonaro arrive at Westminster Abbey this morning
Michael and Carole Middleton - the parents of the Princess of Wales, Kate, arrived two hours early for the state funeral
Tom Parker-Bowles, the son of Queen Consort, Camilla, is among the 2,000 people invited today. Pictured with his wife Sara
Queen Letizia of Spain and the King of Spain King Felipe VI head for Westminster Abbey
Israel's President Isaac Herzog arrives at Westminster Abbey in London for the Queen's state funeral
Tom Parker Bowles arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II this morning
King Charles III's goddaughter India Hicks arrives at Westminster Abbey this morning for the Queen's funeral. Lady Pamela Mountbatten appears to be in a wheelchair. The 93 year old is a first cousin of Prince Philip and a bridesmaid when Elizabeth wed Philip at the Abbey in 1947
Jacob Rees-Mogg walks into Westminster Abbey as Britain and the world mourns the Queen
British minister Nadhim Zahawi was among one of the first guests to arrive at the Abbey followed shortly afterwards by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace
Secretary of State for Education, Kit Malthouse arrives at Westminster Abbey
Bear Grylls waves on the day of the state funeral and burial of Queen Elizabeth II outside Westminster Abbey this morning
First Lady of Gabon, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the state funeral this morning
The Abbey fills ahead of the Queen's funeral today
Commons leader Penny Mordaunt arrives at Westminster Abbey this morning ahead of the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II
Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg and Education Secretary Kit Malthouse arrive at Westminster Abbey this morning
British Labour Party leader Keir Starmer at Westminster Abbey, on the day of state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth
Former Conservative leader William Hague walks into the Abbey
Christopher Geidt, the Prime Minister's Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests, and Emma Charlotte Angela Neill arrive at Westminster Abbey
Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, takes his seat in the Abbey
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Chris Heaton-Harris, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, arrived with VIPs on a coach
