After an extravagant funeral, Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by senior royal family members. King Charles led the royal family in a gathering at the historic King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle, the venue for royal weddings, burials, and other special events since the 15th century. The burial was after a state funeral attended by 2000 guests, including heads of state, including US President, Joe Biden.
The longest-serving British monarch joined ten other former British monarchs, including her father, King George VI, and Charles I. Her Majesty joined her husband, Prince Philip, and sister Princess Margaret.
The funeral came 11 days after Her Majesty passed away at Balmoral Castle at the age of 96. Thousands of people lined the streets of London to pay their last respects to the Queen as her casket made its way from Westminster Hall to her final resting place.
Many watched funeral proceedings at home, and Monday, September 19 was declared a national holiday to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The bell at Westminster Abbey tolled 96 times every minute before the funeral service kicked off. This event was to commemorate the 96-year-old life of the most famous monarch.
There were over 500 world leaders present in the congregation.
The funeral, taking less than an hour, ended with the playing of the national hymn, God Save the King, and a trumpet salute called the Last Post. These events marked the beginning of the new reign under King Charles II.
Along with his three siblings, his eldest son, Prince William, and his second son, Prince Harry, King Charles led a congregation and 6,000 military members who had marched the casket to the monarch’s hearse from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch.
People flanked the road in the afternoon, “Tossing flowers,” applauding as the hearse carrying the late Queen’s casket made its way from London to Windsor Castle, a distance of about 20 miles – a transition from the capital to the countryside, which Elizabeth had cherished during her life.
At the ceremony, the orb, crown, and scepter that signify power and sovereignty were removed from the casket and were placed at the altar. After that, Lord Chamberlain Andrew Parker, the senior, most royal household officer, broke the wand of office before placing it on the casket to be buried with the Queen.
The Queen was given a ceremonial entrance into the royal vault at Windsor Castle’s St. George’s Chapel. A private funeral for the royal family took place Monday at the chapel.
Her majesty’s death has left many reflecting on her legacy, the present, and the future of the country she leaves behind after 70 years in power.