Queen’s state funeral: a historic farewell on September 19, 2022

The state funeral of the Queen took place on September 19, 2022, following a period of lying-in-state that began on September 14. The service was attended by numerous world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as royals from across Europe and beyond. The ceremony featured the Last Post and a two-minute silence observed throughout the UK, marking a moment of collective mourning. The Queen's coffin was transported on the State Gun Carriage, a historic vehicle first used at Queen Victoria's funeral. The procession included the King and members of the Royal Family, who followed the coffin as it passed significant landmarks, including the Queen Victoria memorial. Upon reaching Wellington Arch, the coffin was placed in a state hearse, and the national anthem was played as it made its way to St George's Chapel for the committal service. At Windsor, the coffin was part of a procession along the Long Walk, where the Queen's beloved pony and corgis were present, symbolizing her deep connection to her animals. The service at St George's Chapel included a Bible reading that had been used at the funerals of her grandparents and father, emphasizing the continuity of royal traditions. The ceremony concluded with the removal of the Imperial State Crown, the Orb, and the Sceptre from the coffin, followed by the placement of the Queen's Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on her coffin. A private burial took place later that evening in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, marking the end of a historic farewell.