Completing 11 days of solemnities, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II takes place this Monday (19) at Westminster Abbey in London.
The queen’s coffin has been in the Palace of Westminster since Wednesday, when it arrived from a procession from Buckingham Palace.
Since arriving at Westminster Hall, Britons have been able to attend a vigil at the monarch’s coffin. The public wake will end at 6:30 am local time (2:30 am Brasília time). The funeral at the abbey is expected to begin at 11 am local time.
The ceremony will be attended by heads of state and representatives of foreign governments, including foreign royal families, governors-general and prime ministers of the Realms.
Other representatives from the Realms and Commonwealth, the Orders of Chivalry, including Victoria Cross and George Cross recipients, government, Parliament and devolved Assemblies, the Church and Her Majesty’s Patronages will form the congregation, along with other public representatives.
While the royal family has not released an official guest list, the funeral is expected to be attended by around 2,000 people. Among them, the royals confirmed that nearly 200 participants are expected who were recognized at the Queen’s Birthday Honors earlier this year.
The ceremony will last one hour, ending at noon, after completing a series of protocols, such as the reading of lessons, a moment of prayer and blessing. Toward the end, around 11:55 am, the melody of “Last Post” will be sung, followed by two minutes of silence across the UK.
Still in London, the queen’s coffin will be carried in procession to the Arch of Wellington. From there, you will be transferred to the official royal vehicle so you can continue your journey to Windsor Castle.
Burial
Arriving at Windsor Castle in the city of Windsor, the monarch’s coffin will be taken to St George’s Chapel. There, the so-called Committal Service will take place, starting at 4 pm, with the presence of the king and other royal members, as well as past and present members of the Queen’s House, including private properties and governors general and prime ministers of the realms.
Among the solemn acts foreseen, there will be the lowering of the coffin to the royal vault, under the reading of a psalm by the rector of Windsor. The service will end with the national anthem.
The Queen’s burial will take place Monday night in a private ceremony at the King George VI Memorial Chapel. Elizabeth II will be buried along with the Duke of Edinburgh, her husband Philip.
Source: CNN Brasil
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