UK Highlights: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin lowered into Royal Vault

King Charles III's handwritten note on Queen's coffin adds personal touch to her funeral

"In loving and devoted memory, Charles R." This handwritten card from King Charles III placed among the colourful flowers lying over rich green foliage gave personal touch to BritishQueenElizabethII's coffin during the late monarch's final journey on Monday.

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin lowered into Royal Vault

QueenElizabethII's coffin was on Monday lowered into the Royal Vault at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, bringing to an end public mourning for Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

The "second Elizabethan age" was symbolically brought to a close when the highest-ranking official in the royal household, Lord Chamberlain Andrew Parker, broke his wand of office and the Imperial State Crown, orb and sceptre were placed on the high altar.

‘They Don’t Make Them Like Her Anymore’: Crowd in Hyde Park Bids Goodbye to the Queen

Tens of thousands of people gathered Monday in Hyde Park to watchQueenElizabethII’sfuneral, video of which was displayed on large screens. They sat on camping chairs, blankets, ladders and stools, brought their own breakfast or bought sausage and fish and chips from the several food trucks installed for the occasion.

The initial festival-like atmosphere became somber when the service at Westminster Abbey started, with the huge crowd watching in silence. They also recited the prayers along with the congregation.

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin arrives at Windsor Castle

QueenElizabethII's coffin arrived past hushed crowds at Windsor Castle on Monday, for a final committal service at St George's Chapel before burial.

The royal hearse, covered in flowers from well-wishers on the journey from London, swept sedately up the Long Walk avenue in a military procession, to tolling bells and ceremonial gunfire.

The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin ofQueenElizabethII, 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, in London.

Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrives in Windsor.

A candles burns in front of a portrait ofQueenElizabethII, installed at the chapel of the Petrikirche, Lutheran Church of Saint Peter in Saint Petersburg.

TheQueen's funeral cortege borne on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy travels along The Mall and around theQueenVictoria Memorial.

Queen’s coffin travels to Windsor Castle, its final resting place

Tens of thousands of people watched quietly asQueenElizabethII’scoffin began its grand procession through the streets of London on Monday, flanked by honor guards and accompanied by King Charles III and other members of the royal family, following a solemn funeral service at Westminster Abbey.

A hearse carryingQueenElizabethII's coffin sets off from London's Wellington Arch on its way to Windsor Castle, reports AP.

Wedding, coronation, now funeral: emotive farewell to queen

QueenElizabethIIwas married and crowned in Westminster Abbey. In death, she entered and departed the thousand-year-old church to the same words of prayer: "May God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest."

The words are engraved on a stone slab next to the Great West Door through whichElizabeth's coffin was borne for Monday's Anglican funeral service, attended by leaders of all faiths from around the world.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Procession Begins Through London

Tens of thousands of people watched quietly asQueenElizabethII’scoffin began its grand procession through the streets of London on Monday, flanked by honor guards and accompanied by King Charles III and other members of the royal family, following a solemn funeral service at Westminster Abbey.

Royal Navy Sailors walk ahead and behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, as it travels on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in London.

A Bearer Party of TheQueen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards carry the coffin of Britain'sQueenElizabethIIas they leave Westminster Abbey in London on September 19, 2022, after the State Funeral Service for Britain'sQueenElizabethII.

Britain Mourns Queen Elizabeth II at Majestic State Funeral

Borne on an army-green gun carriage and escorted by pipers from the Scottish and Irish regiments, the coffin ofQueenElizabethIIwas carried into Westminster Abbey on Monday morning for her state funeral.

QueenElizabethII's coffin is being taken on a gun carriage from Westminster Abbey for a last procession through the heart of London.

The coffin is being transported to Windsor, outside the British capital, where the former monarch will be laid to rest later Monday.

King Charles III and other senior royals are marching behind the coffin to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner. Tens of thousands of people are lining the route.

Gun salutes are being fired in nearby Hyde Park, and Big Ben is tolling at one-minute intervals during the procession.

The coffin is to be taken by hearse to Windsor, where thequeenwill be interred alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year.

Queen’s coffin raised on to State Gun Carriage, drawn by 142 members of Navy.

The Queen’s coffin is raised on to the State Gun Carriage, drawn by 142 members of the Navy.

Britain and the world bid adieu to Queen Elizabeth II

Britain said farewell toQueenElizabethIIon Monday at a state funeral attended by world leaders, before a historic last ceremonial journey through the streets of London packed with sorrowful mourners.

Queen's coffin leaves the Abbey.

Crowds jam London as Britain say farewell to Queen Elizabeth II.

Britain Mourns Queen Elizabeth II at Majestic State Funeral

Borne on an army-green gun carriage and escorted by pipers from the Scottish and Irish regiments, the coffin ofQueenElizabethIIwas carried into Westminster Abbey on Monday morning for her state funeral.

Mourners at Westminster Abbey for the State Funeral ofQueenElizabethII.

Two-minute silence observed across the United Kingdom in honor ofQueenElizabethII.

Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby speaks during the State Funeral ofQueenElizabethII, held at Westminster Abbey, in London on September 19, 2022.

The coffin is placed near the altar at the State Funeral ofQueenElizabethII.

Choir sings music composed for Queen's coronation.

Pipers from the Scots Guards march outside Westminster Abbey in London.

Archbishop of Canterbury praises queen's service to UK and Commonwealth

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby on Monday praisedQueenElizabethII's life of duty and service to the UK and Commonwealth at the state funeral for Britain's longest-serving monarch.

"People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer. But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are forgotten," he said in his funeral sermon.

Britain and the world say farewell to Queen Elizabeth II

QueenElizabethIIwill be laid to rest on Monday, after a state funeral attended by leaders from around the world and a historic last ceremonial journey through the packed streets of London.

A hymn from the Queen's wedding is sung at the service

Big Ben chimes, hymns mark start of state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II

The chimes of the Big Ben fell silent and hymns rang out as the coffin ofQueenElizabethIIwas carried into Westminster Abbey for the state funeral of Britain’s longest-serving monarch on Monday.

Her son and heir King Charles III followed the coffin in solemn procession, accompanied by his sons Princes William and Harry and siblings Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward.

Funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II begins at Westminster Abbey.

International heads of state and dignitaries seated at the State Funeral ofQueenElizabethII.

The coffin ofQueenElizabethIIis loaded on to a gun carriage pulled by Royal Navy soldiers to go from Westminster Hall for her funeral service in Westminster Abbey in central London, Monday Sept. 19, 2022.

Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrives at Westminster Abbey

The coffin ofQueenElizabethIIis placed on a gun carriage during her funeral service in Westminster Abbey in central London Monday Sept. 19, 2022.

Members of Royal families arrive for the State Funeral ofQueenElizabethIIat Westminster Abbey in central London, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. TheQueen, who died aged 96 on Sept. 8, will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year.

President Murmu meets Bangladesh PM Hasina ahead of Queen’s funeral in UK

President Droupadi Murmu met with Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina here on Monday before the commencement of the state funeral ofQueenElizabethII.President Murmu, who is in London on a three-day visit to attend the state funeral ofQueenElizabethIIscheduled at Westminster Abbey on Monday, visited Westminster Hall here on Sunday and offered tributes to the late British monarch on behalf of the Indian government and the people of India.

King Charles III follows Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin as funeral procession leaves for Westminster Abbey

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau joins other world leaders for the Queen's funeral

Canadian Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau joins a growing list of world leaders in attendance for the Queen's state funeral.

UK PM Liz Truss arrives at Westminster Abbey

UK PM Liz Truss arrives at Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral. (Credit: Reuters Photo)

Former PM Boris Johnson, wife arrive for the Queen's funeral

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson arrive at Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral. (Credit: Reuters Photo)

Israel President Isaac Herzog, wife arrive to pay last respects to the Queen

Israel President Isaac Herzog and wife Michal Herzog arrive at Westminster Abbey to attend the Queen's state funeral. (Credit: Reuters Photo)

Chinese VP Wang Qishan arrives at Westminster Abbey

China's Vice President Wang Qishan arrives at Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral. (Credit: Reuters Photo)

Emmanuel Macron, wife Brigitte arrive for the Queen's state funeral

French President Emanuel Macron and wife Brigitte arrive at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. (Credit: Reuters Photo)

Joe Biden, First Lady arrive for the Queen's state funeral

USPresident Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive at Westminster Abbey, on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. (Credit: Reuters Photo)

Members of the armed forces march through Parliament Square ahead of the Queen's funeral

Members of the armed forces march through Parliament Square before the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London. (Credit: Reuters Photo)

Westminster Abbey's tenor bell begins tolling to mark 96 years of the Queen's life

Thousands gather to watch the state funeral of the Queen

People gather to watch the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, at Parliament Square in London.The country's longest-serving monarch, who died aged 96 after 70 years on the throne, will be honoured with a state funeral on Monday morning at Westminster Abbey. (Credit: AFP Photo)

Trains from London to Windsor disrupted by technical problems

Trains travelling from London to Windsor, where Queen Elizabeth will be buried later on Monday were badly disrupted by technical problems, straining the public transport system as tens of thousands travel around the capital to watch her funeral.

Great Western Railway (GWR) said that all lines between Paddington and key connection point Reading, were blocked, advising passengers to take an alternative route to Windsor, the town that is home to the Windsor Castle royal residence.

Later, the Queen's coffin is due to be driven to Windsor, where she will be buried alongside her late husband Prince Philip in a small chapel in a private ceremony after the funeral. Large crowds are expected throughout the town.

Viewing areas for the public reach capacity ahead of the Queen's funeral

All the viewing areas from where members of the public can witness the funeral procession of Queen Elizabeth have reached capacity, London's governing body said on Monday.

City Hall said on Twitter that new arrivals would no longer be allowed entry. Tens of thousands of people have come to the capital to see the queen's coffin over the past few days, with her funeral due to begin at 11 am local time(1000 GMT).

Guests, officials take their places ahead of the Queen's state funeral

Guests and officials begin to take their places prior to the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in central London, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Credit: AP/PTI Photo)

Queen Elizabeth II to be buried in decades old, lead-lined coffin

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom's longest-reigning monarch, is made of English oak, lined with lead and it was built decades ago, according to British media reports on Monday.

The coffin is made of oak from the Royal Family's Sandringham Estate according to royal tradition, Sky News reported.

According to the Telegraph, it was originally built by the specialist firm Henry Smith over three decades ago. The records of the exact date that the casket was made were lost when Henry Smith was taken over by another firm in 2005.

Since its manufacture, it has been in storage under the care of two different firms who have been responsible for royal funerals.

The coffin is two-in-one, with the internal portion lead poured over a simple inner wood coffin. That is then placed inside the outer casket made of English oak.

Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in numbers

Events surrounding Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral on Monday cap 10 days of national mourning and are expected to be watched by hundreds of thousands of people packed onto the streets of London and millions around the world. Those are just a few of the staggering array of numbers generated by the death of the 96-year-old monarch after a 70-year-reign.

Here are some figures that have swirled around London and the rest of the United Kingdom in the aftermath of death on September 8 at her summer retreat in Scotland of the only monarch most Britons have ever known.

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Thousands camped overnight in London to see the Queen's funeral procession

Thousands of people camped overnight in London to get the best spots for viewing Queen Elizabeth's funeral procession on Monday. The best prepared had tents, sleeping bags, blow up beds and flasks of tea.

Others were sitting or sleeping on the ground in only their jackets. One couple were seen asleep just in their clothes, their arms interlocked for warmth, and, perhaps, for comfort.

A view of Westminster Abbey in the early hours of Monday, hours ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral in London. (Credit: Twitter/@wabbey)

Lady usher of the Black Rod, Sarah Clarke, pays her respects to Queen Elizabeth II

Lady usher of the Black Rod, Sarah Clarke, pays her respects to Queen Elizabeth II's coffinafter the final members of the public paid their respects inside Westminster Hall, London.

How to watch Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral

Monday’s service for Queen Elizabeth II is the first time cameras will be allowed into the funeral of a British monarch. In 1952, King George VI’s funeral procession — but not the service itself — was broadcast on television.

The New York Times will feature a livestream of the main events.

The broadcast will be shared as widely as possible with international affiliates; American outlets like CNN will show it.

The BBC will stream the procession from Westminster Hall, the funeral and the committal service at StGeorge’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on television and on the BBC website.

In Canada, CBC said it would livestream the funeral, and in Australia, it will be live on ABC.

Queen Elizabeth II's lying-in-state period ends after four days

The official lying-in-state period for Queen Elizabeth II ended at 0530 GMT on Monday, hours ahead of the state funeral for Britain's longest serving monarch.

Five things to know about the Queen's coffin procession

1)Royal Navy sailors will use ropes to pull the queen's lead-lined coffin mounted on a gun carriage from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey. Their comrades in a team of 142 sailors will walk alongside to act as a brake if necessary. This tradition dates back to Queen Victoria's funeral in February 1901.

2)Eight soldiers from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards will have the task of carrying the queen's coffin from Westminster Hall to the gun carriage outside, and then into Westminster Abbey. One of the most ancient in the British army, the regiment is among five infantry regiments that make up the Queen's (now King's) Life Guard.

3)Three regiments will play a particularly important role in the procession, marching very close to the queen's coffin. The Yeomen of the Guard, the oldest military unit in the British Army created in 1485, and the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms are two former bodyguard units for the royals that now perform only a ceremonial role. They will be followed by members of the Royal Company of Archers, who acted as bodyguards for Elizabeth II whenever she was in Scotland. Some detachments from other regiments in Britain and from the armed forces of the Commonwealth, a group of countries headed by the British monarch, will rejoin the funeral procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner near Buckingham Palace.

4)While members of the royal family led by the new King Charles III will follow the casket, following them will be members of the queen's royal household, including the most senior officer of the royal household, the lord chamberlain. In front of them will come the pipers and drummers of the Scottish and Irish regiments, and the Brigade of Gurkhas made up of soldiers from Nepal who are part of the armed forces. There will also be 200 Royal Air Force musicians.

5)Around 6,000 soldiers, sailors and air crew from the British armed forces will take part in the procession, Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Tony Radakin told the BBC on Sunday. At several points along the route they will perform a royal salute, for example when they pass the Victoria Memorial commemorating the queen.

President Droupadi Murmu meets King Charles III

Indian President Droupadi Murmu meets King Charles III ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral in London on Monday.

King Charles III reflects on the queen's 'lifelong service' ahead of funeral

Britain’s King Charles III reflected upon his late mother’s “lifelong service” in a thank you message ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday morning.

A timeline of Queen Elizabeth II's death

Here is a timeline of Queen Elizabeth II's death, including her final days and the aftermath of her passing aged 96, after more than 70 years on the throne.

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The Order of Service for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

The Buckingham Palace late on Sunday published the Order of Service for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II to be held at Westminster Abbey in London.

New photo of Queen Elizabeth II released ahead of state funeral

Full list of world leaders expected to attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral

Queen Elizabeth's state funeral will take place in London on Monday and a host of world leaders, royalty and other dignitaries will attend.

The following are some of the expected attendees, and the countries that were not invited:

ROYAL ATTENDEES

- Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan

- King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

- King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain

- Juan Carlos, former king of Spain, his wife Queen Sofia

- King Philip and Queen Mathilde of Belgium

- Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary

- King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden

- King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway

- King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

- Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah

- Jordan's King Abdullah

- Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki bin Mohammed al Saud

- Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah

- King of Lesotho, Letsie III

- Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein

- Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henri

- Malaysian Sultan Abdullah of Pahang

- Prince of Monaco, Albert II

- Crown Prince of Morocco, Moulay Hassan

- Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq al-Said

- Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani

- President of UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

- King of Tonga, Tupou VI

NATIONAL LEADERS

Americas

- Joe Biden and Jill Biden, President and first lady of the United States

- Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

- Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil

- Paula-Mae Weekes, President of Trinidad and Tobago

- Sandra Mason, President of Barbados

- Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica

- Floyla Tzalam, Governor General of Belize

- Susan Dougan, Governor General of St Vincent and the Grenadines

Europe and Middle East

- Emmanuel Macron, President of France

- Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany

- Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy

- Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland

- Micheál Martin, Taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland

- Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal

- Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Austria

- Katalin Novak, President of Hungary

- Andrzej Duda, President of Poland

- Egils Levits, President of Latvia

- Gitanas Nauseda, President of Lithuania

- Sauli Niinisto, President of Finland

- Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of Greece

- George Vella, President of Malta

- Nicos Anastasiades, President of Cyprus

- Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister

- Charles Michel, President of the European Council

- Ursula von der Leyen, President of European Commission

- Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO

- Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt

- Isaac Herzog, President of Israel

- Mohammad Shtayyeh, Palestinian Prime Minister

Africa

- Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa

- Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Nigeria

- Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana

- William Ruto, President of Kenya

- Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda

- Ali Bongo, President of Gabon

- General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s military leader

- Christophe Mboso N'kodia, National Assembly president, Democratic Republic of Congo

- Macky Sall, President of Senegal

Asia/Pacific

- Droupadi Murmu, President of India

- Wang Qishan, Vice President of China

- Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan

- Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka

- Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh

- Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand

- Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia

- Yoon Suk-yeol, President of South Korea

- Halimah Yacob, President of Singapore

- Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji

- James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

- Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu

COUNTRIES NOT INVITED

- Britain has invited heads of state or a representative at an ambassadorial level from any country with which it has full diplomatic relations.

Countries that have not been invited include Syria and Venezuela because London does not have normal diplomatic relations with those states. Britain has also not invited representatives from Russia, Belarus or Myanmar after it imposed economic sanctions on those countries.

Biden pays tribute to 'decent, honourable' Queen Elizabeth II ahead of state funeral

With a framed photograph of Queen Elizabeth II perched to his right, President Joe Biden on Sunday paid homage to a monarch he had twice declined to bow to on the advice of his mother, but one he had also admired.

“She was the same in person as her image: decent, honourable and all about service,” Biden said one day before the queen’s funeral, after writing a message in the official book of condolences at Lancaster House near Buckingham Palace in London and attending a viewing of her coffin at Westminster Hall. “It’s a loss that leaves a giant hole.”

During the queen’s funeral Monday, Biden will be one of dozens of world leaders who will turn the spotlight on a queen who ruled for 70 years — nearly as long as the president, 79, has lived.

President Murmu pays homage to queen ahead of state funeral

Britain and the world prepare to say last farewell to Queen Elizabeth

Britain, world leaders and royalty from across the globe will on Monday bid a final farewell to Queen Elizabeth, the last towering figure of her era, at a state funeral of inimitable pageantry.

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