Monday 19 September 2022 06:08 PM The pomp and pageantry of Queen's final farewell: How UK grieved in first state ... trends now
It was the inevitable day Britain hoped would never come. But while breaking the nation's hearts, the Queen's funeral showed the world what Brits do best: tradition, pomp and pageantry.
Thousands of grieving subjects lined the processionary route from Westminster Abbey to Windsor as a sea of selfie sticks armed with phones filmed the coffin's final journey - providing a stark contrast to the centuries' old traditions that marked the events of the day.
The first state funeral since Sir Winston Churchill's in 1965, it was a day the monarch had been helping prepare since the 1960s.
From the priceless Imperial State Crown which sat upon the coffin - encrusted with 2,868 diamonds - to the hundreds of soldiers and sailors who marched alongside Her Majesty to dramatic funeral pieces, every detail had been meticulously planned and performed without a hitch.
The late monarch herself, who died 11 days ago aged 96, had chosen the jaw-dropping Westminster Abbey - where she was crowned and married - as the venue for the poignant service.
It was filled with 2,000 VIPs, royals and prime ministers in the biggest gathering of world leaders in a generation. They were joined by several hundred ordinary Britons selected by Queen Elizabeth II for their contribution to society.
Huge crowds filled The Mall, Whitehall and Parliament Square to bid farewell to the beloved monarch as her coffin was carried from the Abbey on a gun carriage dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria.
An estimated two million well-wishers then lined the streets to say farewell, with showers of bouquets greeting her hearse as it drove from West London to Berkshire.
The Queen was then driven to Windsor where thousands were waiting to pay their respects as her coffin was carried along the Long Walk to the Castle and St George's Chapel, where she will be buried alongside the late Duke of Edinburgh.
Mourners in Windsor film the State Hearse of Queen Elizabeth II on their phones as it drives along the Long Walk ahead of the Committal Service
The band of Coldstream Guards marches toward Buckingham Palace during the procession for the Queen's funeral
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top, borne on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy followed by members of the royal family proceeds past Buckingham Palace
Pallbearers from The Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards prepare to carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's sceptre. The crown alone is encrusted with 2,868 diamonds, 269 pearls, 17 sapphires and 11 emeralds
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II passes through Horse Guards Parade during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey
(Front row) King Charles III, the Queen Consort, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Countess of Wessex, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, the Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall in front of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth
King Charles III, the Queen Consort, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Countess of Wessex, the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, the Duke of Sussex, the Duchess of Sussex, Peter Phillips and the Earl of Snowdon follow behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II carried by pallbearers at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey
The queen's coffin exits the stunning Westminster Abbey following the late monarch's funeral
King Charles III and Camilla Queen Consort follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II after the service at Westminster Abbey
Charles cuts a solemn figure as he follows his mother's coffin following her state funeral service at Westminster Abbey on Monday
King Charles III, the Queen Consort, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Countess of Wessex, the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, the Duke of Sussex, the Duchess of Sussex, Peter Phillips and the Earl of Snowdon follow behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II
The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, in the Ceremonial Procession down The Mall following her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey
The Procession following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy, travels from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch
The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, in the Ceremonial Procession following her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey
The Queen's coffin is transported to Wellington Arch in central London following her funeral at Westminster Abbey
The State Gun Carriage, which was pulled by 142 Naval Ratings carrying the coffin of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II moves along the Procession route, up Constitution Hill. Behind the coffin can be seen, from left to right: HRH King Charles III, HRH Prince William, The Prince of Wales, HRH Princess Anne, HRH The Duke of Sussex, HRH Prince Andrew and HRH Prince Edward
A King's guard crosses The Mall in London on September 19, 2022, during the State Funeral Service of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II
Members of the King's Guard march during the Procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, at Horse Guards, on its way to Wellington Arch
The coffin procession heads down the Mall towards Wellington Arch following the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
A man donning a Union Jack hat, tie and waistcoat is among those mourning during the state funeral of late Queen Elizabeth II in central London
The Procession following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy, as it travels from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch
The Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, King Charles III, the Duke of Sussex, the Queen Consort,the Duchess of Sussex, the Princess Royal, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex and the Countess of Wessex look on as the State Gun Carriage carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Wellington Arch
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is pulled on a gun carriage through the streets of London following her funeral service at Westminster Abbey
A Royal Guard stands guard on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, at Windsor Castle, in front of a sea of floral tributes
Rows of Royal Guards on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, at Windsor Castle, in front
