Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin was given a solemn reception by tens of thousands of mourners in central London on Monday, as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch made her final journey home.
There was hardly breathing room along The Mall as crowds of loyal admirers took up every inch of space on pavements lining the route leading to Buckingham Palace.
The sun emerged from behind the clouds shortly after the funeral service at Westminster Abbey concluded at noon, and mourners, some of whom had camped out overnight, prepared for the climax of the day’s events.
A young child wailed in the distance, a sign that the hours of standing had taken a toll on tiny feet. Other children were hoisted up on their parents’ shoulders and afforded a bird’s-eye view of the historic procession.
The throngs dutifully observed a strict silence as they watched the sovereign's coffin being carried along the road on the state gun carriage. The coffin was draped in the Royal Standard and topped with the Imperial State Crown and the sovereign's orb and sceptre.
After the coffin had made its way through The Mall, the crowds erupted in applause as they watched the procession proceed towards the palace.
More than a hundred royal household staff members, dressed in black, formed a guard of honour outside the late queen’s official home. They stood shoulder to shoulder as their former boss was carried past them and up Constitution Hill before being transported to Windsor for burial.
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King Charles III in Westminster Abbey for the state funeral of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. PA -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried into St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle for the committal service. PA -
The hearse arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service. Getty Images -
Flowers are seen on the hearse as it arrives at Windsor Castle. AP -
King Charles and Prince William join the procession in the Quadrangle inside Windsor Castle. AFP -
The procession, led by the dismounted detachment of the Household Cavalry, followed by massed Pipes and Drums of Scottish and Irish regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas, the Royal Air Force and the Band of the Grenadier Guards, arrives at Windsor Castle. Getty Images -
The hearse travels along the Long Walk as it makes its way to Windsor Castle. Reuters -
The ceremonial procession travels down the Long Walk in Windsor. PA -
The hearse travels to Windsor. Reuters -
The royal corgis await the cortege at Windsor Castle. Reuters -
A member of the Coldstream Guards walks past flowers at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. AP -
A mourner throws a flower towards Queen Elizabeth's hearse as it is driven to Windsor from London. Reuters -
Members of the royal family pay their respects as the hearse carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth in London. Reuters -
The state gun carriage carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth arrives at Wellington Arch during the ceremonial procession following her state funeral. PA -
The funeral procession marches down The Mall following the service at Westminster Abbey. AP -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried from her state funeral at Westminster Abbey. PA -
King Charles walks with Princess Anne, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth as it is pulled on a gun carriage through the streets of London following her funeral service. AP -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Queen Consort Camilla, Prince George, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, stand outside Westminster Abbey after the funeral. PA -
Buckingham Palace household staff pay their respects. AFP -
Mourners pause for two minutes' silence during the funeral service in London. Reuters -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth, draped in a Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown and the sovereign's orb and sceptre, arrives in Westminster Abbey. AP -
Prince William, his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at Westminster Abbey. AP -
Members of the public watch the funeral from Horse Guards Road in London. PA -
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby speaking during the funeral. PA -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried into Westminster Abbey, followed by King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla for the state funeral in London. PA -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried by the Bearer Party into Westminster Abbey. Getty -
King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward arrive at Westminster Abbey. AFP -
Prince William and Prince Harry make their way to Westminster Abbey. PA -
The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth through central London. PA -
Members of the public on the Mall become emotional during the funeral. PA -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is placed on a gun carriage for her state funeral service in central London. AP -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth leaves Westminster Hall. AP -
The Yeoman of the Guard arrive in Westminster Abbey. AP -
Guests take their seats inside Westminster Abbey in London for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth. AFP -
The Royal Marines band marches to Westminster Abbey. Getty Images -
US President Joe Biden arrives for the funeral. PA -
French President Emanuel Macron and wife Brigitte walk into Westminster Abbey. PA -
Metropolitan Police Officers walk in formation down The Mall in preparation for the state funeral Of Queen Elizabeth II. Getty -
A Pearly king and queen, who raise money for charity, on the procession route in London. AFP -
People line the funeral procession route. Getty -
Mourners take a moment to rest on The Mall in London. Reuters -
At 6.28am on the day of her funeral, the final members of the public pay their respects at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth at the Palace of Westminster, London. PA -
London's Westminster Abbey on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters -
Black Rod, the House of Lords' senior figure, walks through Westminster Hall at 6.30am after paying her respects on the final day of the lying in state at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in London. PA -
Police on patrol in Whitehall before Queen Elizabeth II's funeral at Westminster Abbey in London. EPA -
People in London camp during the night before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters -
Vehicles in the motorcade of US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II in London. Getty Images -
US President Joe Biden accompanied by the First Lady Jill Biden signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London. PA -
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters -
The first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska (R) views the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall in London. Getty Images -
Oman's Sultan Haitham arrives for a reception hosted by Britain's King Charles III for heads of state and official overseas guests, at Buckingham Palace in London, the night before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. AP -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, arrives for a reception hosted by Britain's King Charles III for heads of state and official overseas guests, at Buckingham Palace in London, before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. AP -
Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati and his wife May sign a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. PA
King Charles III was supported by his brothers Prince Andrew and Prince Edward and sister Princess Anne in following the coffin on foot. Prince William and Prince Harry appeared united in grief as they marched side by side. The scene was reminiscent of the brothers’ walk behind their mother Princess Diana’s coffin 25 years ago.
Kate, Princess of Wales followed the procession in a car with Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The princess, wearing an elaborate black hat with netting over her face, appeared to be in deep thought as she observed the thousands of mourners along The Mall.
Prince George, second in line to the throne, looked somewhat awestruck by the sheer number of people who turned out to honour his great-grandmother.
Queen Consort Camilla was sitting beside the Princess of Wales, while Prince Harry’s wife Meghan travelled in a car behind them. Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was in a car behind them with her daughter Lady Louise while her husband Prince Edward made the sombre journey on foot.
“The queen and the crown mean so much to us so we had to come over and pay our respects,” Samantha Tate, from Northern Ireland, told The National. “The monarchy represents our county across the world. I think it’s important to show our support by coming to this and coming out when the royals visit Northern Ireland.”
The 24-year-old was accompanied by her mother, Gale Tate, and boyfriend Andrew Hoey. The trio proudly sported the Northern Irish flag, which stood out among the sea of Union Jacks.
“She’s worth it,” Ms Tate said, referring to the journey they had made across the Irish Sea to attend the queen’s funeral procession. “She’s our queen, too. A lot of people forget that because were in Northern Ireland. I’m here representing my community.”
The younger Ms Tate urged other young people to get behind the king as he takes on his new role.
“Charles has done so much charity work, especially with young people through the Prince’s Trust,” she said. “That’s something to be admired. He has 100 per cent of my support.”
A contemplative silence had hung over The Mall on Monday morning, with crowds already six-deep by 8am.
Some of the more ardent fans of the royal family had camped out in tents and on folding chairs overnight, refusing to risk losing their prime spots on the front row. Other bleary-eyed mourners had got up before dawn to make the journey to central London for the historic day.
Extended families and groups of friends chatted over cups of coffee and tea poured from giant flasks while children were kept entertained on iPads and phones.
At 11am, as the funeral began in Westminster Abbey, the chattering crowds on The Mall fell silent as the audio of the service played on loudspeakers. Restless children were reined in by their parents and crying babies were shushed as the hymns in the abbey could be heard outside the palace, the historic seat of the monarchy.
After the procession had drawn to a close, the crowds retreated to St James’s Park to bask in the sun and tuck into picnics. The sombre atmosphere gave way to a more relaxed vibe as people huddled in groups on the grass to eat and drink.
Sisters Elizabeth Jones, 72, and Anne Fieldhouse, 68, cracked open a bottle of champagne, saying the funeral was as much a celebration of the queen’s life as it was a mournful send-off.
“It’s been amazing,” said Ms Fieldhouse from Worcestershire. “We’ve met such beautiful and respectful people.”
Ms Jones, whose parents named her after the queen, joked that she had a marriage like the late monarch’s as her husband is also called Philip.
“We always loved the queen,” she said. “She’s been there for almost all of my life.”
A Chelsea Pensioner from Leeds, Yorkshire, said he turned up to pay his respects to the queen whom he met “many years ago” while working as a bus driver.
“She visited Leeds and I introduced her to local children,” he recalled. “She was a lovely lady. It’s a very sad day.”
Royal family members mourn Queen Elizabeth II — in pictures
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Camilla, the Queen Consort; Catherine, Princess of Wales; Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince George and Princess Charlotte leave the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. AFP -
Catherine, Princess of Wales, wears earrings made with Bahraini pearls and diamonds. AFP -
The Princess of Wales pairs the earrings with a four-row pearl choker necklace from the queen's collection, which was a gift from the Japanese government. EPA -
The Princess of Wales wears a black Alexander McQueen coat dress, after donning the white version for the queen's birthday celebrations in June. AP -
Camilla, the Queen Consort, wears the Hesse diamond jubilee brooch. Getty Images -
Princess Charlotte wears a horseshoe pin, a nod to the queen's love of horses. PA News -
Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the latter in a Stella McCartney dress. AFP -
The Duchess of Sussex wears pearl and diamond earrings, which were a gift from the queen. AFP -
Zara and Mike Tindall leave the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Getty Images -
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie leave Westminster Abbey after the queen's funeral. AFP -
Lady Louise Windsor and James, Visount Severn, leave after the funeral. PA -
Carole and Michael Middleton arrive at Windsor Castle ahead of the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth. Getty Images -
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson and his wife, Carrie Johnson, arrive at the funeral. AP -
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive for the funeral. Getty Images -
Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia leave the funeral. AFP -
Former British prime minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha Cameron, arrive for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. AP
