As the world continues to morn her sudden demise, Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest with her late husband Prince Philip at St George’s Chapel.
The queen’s parents are also buried in a small chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Four days since her death, the official period of lying-in state ended. Tens of thousands of people lined the coffin of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
The 2,000 guests who will attend the ceremony will include 500 foreign dignitaries, including politicians, government officials, some celebrities and many ‘ordinary’ members of the public who have been chosen for charity or community work.
Among the many world leaders who have met the Queen during her long reign are some 200 countries and territories represented.
The coffin will be lifted and carried in procession to the Royal Navy’s State Gun Carriage, placed outside the north door. 6,000 representatives from all three armed forces will take part in the procession, with 98 Royal Navy sailors pulling the 123-year-old gun carriage that will carry the Queen’s coffin to Westminster Abbey.
The cremation service will be a deeply personal family occasion and completely private. It will be run by the Dean of Windsor. When Prince Philip died, the body was temporarily laid to rest in the Royal Vault at St George’s, but will now be moved to the Memorial Chapel to join the Queen, where they will be laid to rest together.
Among global leaders, US President Joe Biden flew with his wife, Ms. Jill Biden, who said that Princess Charles’ mother had “defined an era” after 70 years in power. French President Emmanuel Macron will also attend to pay tribute to the “Eternal Queen” and to demonstrate “unbreakable” ties with Britain.