Key workers and volunteers invited to attend queen's state funeral

Volunteers, charity workers and those who work in health care, education and the public sector have received invitations

Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, on Thursday, before her funeral on Monday. PA

People recognised in the queen’s birthday honours list and almost 200 key workers have been invited to attend the late monarch's state funeral, Downing Street said.

People who received honours in June are to join royals, politicians and world leaders in Westminster Abbey at 11am on Monday.

The 183 everyday heroes will be part of a 2,000-strong congregation gathered at the historic church for the final farewell to Queen Elizabeth II.

They include a woman, 88, who records talking books for the blind, the Cabinet Office said.

Ella Marks, from London, attended George VI’s coronation on her father’s shoulders on The Mall in 1937.

Another of those invited is Natalie Queiroz, from Birmingham, who teaches children about the dangers of knife crime.

Rehearsal at dawn for Queen Elizabeth's funeral - in pictures

An early morning rehearsal took place on Thursday for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London. All photos: PA

The funeral will take place in London on Monday.

A procession down The Mall during the early morning rehearsal.

Members of the military take part.

The procession makes its way through central London as Big Ben looms.

Soldiers outside Westminster Abbey.

The eyes of the world will be on Westminster Abbey.

Others include a man from Essex who runs a charity that helps to pay for veterans’ funerals, a woman from London who set up a charity to help adults deal with grief, and a woman from North Shields who built a play centre for disabled children.

“I can confirm that among the guests who have been invited to attend will be almost 200 people who were recognised in the queen’s birthday honours this year, that was in June," said the official spokesman for Prime Minister Liz Truss.

“These individuals drawn from across the UK were recognised for their extraordinary contributions in areas including the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, people who volunteered in their communities, charity workers and those who work in health care, education and the wider public sector.”

The public pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster - in pictures

Members of the public pay their respects as they pass the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as it lies in state inside Westminster Hall, London. AFP

People queue in Westminster Hall to pay their respects. Getty

Queen Elizabeth's coffin arrived at Westminster Hall after a procession from Buckingham Palace. AFP

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth lies in Westminster Hall. PA

Long lines of mourners pass through Westminster Hall. AP

Queen Elizabeth will lie in state in Westminster Hall from Wednesday until a few hours before her funeral on Monday. AFP

Buckingham Palace has not released a full guest list but several hundred dignitaries from around the world will travel to London to pay their last respects to the queen, in what is set to be one of the biggest logistical and diplomatic events in the UK in decades.

Ms Truss hopes to hold private meetings with US President Joe Biden and other visiting world leaders at No 10 Downing Street and the Chevening House country residence over the weekend.

The leaders of most Commonwealth countries are expected to attend the funeral, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying she will make the nearly 24-hour journey with a delegation of five others.

Canadian and Australian prime ministers, Justin Trudeau and Anthony Albanese, have also confirmed their attendance.

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin procession from Buckingham Palace - in pictures

King Charles III, Prince William and Princess Anne salute alongside Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the Palace of Westminster, following a procession from Buckingham Palace. AFP

Queen Elizabeth lies in state in Westminster Hall before the public is allowed in to pay their respects. Getty Images

Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, walk in the procession as it arrives at Westminster Hall. AP

Britain's Prime Minister Liz Truss at Westminster Hall. AP

The choir performs at Westminster Hall. Reuters

A view of the London skyline during the procession of the coffin. AP

Zara Tindall, her husband Mike Tindall and Princess Eugenie arrive at Westminster Hall. AP

The imperial state crown sits on top of the coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth into Westminster Hall. Getty Images

The coffin is laid to rest in Westminster Hall. Getty Images

Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Edward follow the bearer party carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth into Westminster Hall. PA

A woman wipes away tears as she joins people sitting in Hyde Park. AP

Life Guards, a unit of the Household Cavalry, stand guard outside the Palace of Westminster. Getty Images

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry depart after the procession. Getty Images

The coffin is carried down The Mall. PA

A man overcome with emotion in Hyde Park. AP

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. PA

Mourners watch the procession at Hyde Park. Getty Images

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth, adorned with the royal standard and the imperial state crown, and pulled by a gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during the procession from Buckingham Palace in London. AFP

The procession leaves Buckingham Palace. Getty Images

King Charles follows the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. PA

The imperial state crown on the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II. AFP

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is driven behind the coffin. AFP

King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry walk behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. AFP

King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward walk behind the coffin. Getty

The cortege makes its way along The Mall from Buckingham Palace. Getty

Prince William and Prince Harry follow the coffin. AP

Grenadier Guards flank the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. AP

Royal Navy soldiers march ahead of the procession near Big Ben. Getty

Coldstream Guards prepare outside Buckingham Palace, before the ceremonial procession. PA

King Charles waves to the crowds after leaving Clarence House in central London, before the procession. AFP

Crowds gather along The Mall. Reuters

Members of the Life Guards leave Wellington Barracks ahead of the procession. AP

Mourners gather to watch the procession in Hyde Park. Getty

A mourner at The Mall decorated with images of Queen Elizabeth. PA

Queen Consort Camilla arriving at Buckingham Palace. AFP

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to talk to Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan this week, is not expected to go to the UK, with President Droupadi Murmu being sent in his place.

Chinese vice-president Wang Qishan will reportedly be sent instead of President Xi Jinping.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German leader Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will also attend, along with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

King Felipe of Spain and his wife, Queen Letizia, are among the European royals who will attend.

This is the moment Queen Elizabeth II left Buckingham Palace for the last time - video

Emperor Naruhito of Japan is also set to travel to London in what would be his first overseas trip since taking the throne in 2019.

Local media reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will attend for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Invitations to the queen’s funeral have not been sent to Russia or Belarus amid of the invasion of Ukraine. Taliban-ruled Afghanistan is also excluded, as are Syria and Myanmar.

National Health Service staff will be among those proceeding with the queen’s coffin as it begins its journey to Windsor after her funeral.

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace - video

About 800 people, including members of the queen’s household and Windsor estate staff, will attend the committal service afterwards at 4pm in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

The queen’s birthday honours in June acknowledged 1,134 people in the UK who made outstanding contributions to their community and the country.

The list, which coincided with platinum jubilee celebrations, included authors, athletes, politicians, actors and medics who came to prominence during the coronavirus pandemic.

RAF plane carrying Queen Elizabeth II's coffin lands in London - video