The royal family and other mourners gathered at Queen Elizabeth II's committal service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Monday afternoon to bid farewell to their beloved matriarch and the nation’s longest-reigning monarch.
Those in attendance included the late queen’s nearest and dearest, her household staff past and present, and foreign leaders.
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern were among leaders who arrived at the West Door at 3.30pm before the service.
At 3.28pm, the queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall arrived with her husband Mike, soon followed by Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, and their mother Sarah, Duchess of York.
By 4pm, the organ music began to swell, but within a few minutes, the sound of the pipers and drummers outside was overwhelming the music inside the chapel.
UK public watches Queen Elizabeth's funeral — in pictures
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People stand as 'God Save the King' plays during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in Manchester. EPA -
Crowds gather in Holyrood Park to watch the funeral on a large screen in Edinburgh. Getty Images -
Spectators watch a live broadcast of the state funeral in Windsor. Bloomberg -
People stand as they watch the funeral in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh. Getty Images -
Members of the public watch the funeral service inside Bath Abbey. Getty Images -
A young boy is comforted by his mother as crowds of people gather to watch the funeral on a screen near Belfast city hall. Getty Images -
Mourners watch the live stream of the funeral at Salisbury Cathedral. Getty Images -
People watch the funeral in Centenary Square, Birmingham. PA
At 4.09pm, Queen Consort Camilla, the Princess of Wales, the Countess of Wessex and the Duchess of Sussex made their way to the side of the West Door in preparation for joining the procession.
Prince George could be seen over the queen consort’s shoulder as the royal family watched the procession enter.
At 4.12pm, the coffin was carried in and briefly paused at the door.
Mourning attire at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral — 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
The Imperial State Crown, Orb and Sceptre all twinkled as the lights inside the chapel danced off the dazzling jewels.
Then the procession continued up the aisle as the waiting royal family joined.
Outside, bunches of flowers created a floral carpet, while a rainbow of colours came from bouquets of red roses, pink lilies, potted plants and wreaths.
Final unseen portrait of the queen revealed before funeral — in pictures
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On the eve of her funeral, Buckingham Palace released this previously unseen portrait of Queen Elizabeth II smiling with joy. Here 'The National' takes a look back at previous portraits of the queen. PA -
This photograph of Queen Elizabeth, at Windsor Castle, was for her platinum jubilee. The image is part of the 'Platinum Jubilee: The Queen's Coronation' exhibition, on view at Windsor Castle until September 26. Photo: Ranald Mackechnie -
This portrait, issued by the Royal Collection Trust, was taken by photographer Dorothy Wilding in 1952, and is featured in the 'Platinum Jubilee: The Queen's Accession' exhibition, on view at Buckingham Palace until October 2. Photo: Royal Collection Trust -
This portrait of Queen Elizabeth by British artist Lucian Freud was finished in 2001 and caused an outcry. The image is a part of the 'Platinum Jubilee: The Queen's Coronation' exhibition. Reuters -
The monarch was featured in Andy Warhol's 'Reigning Queens' series of portraits created in 1985. The pop art print, although not officially commissioned, was later brought into the Royal Collection. The image is a part of 'Platinum Jubilee: The Queen's Coronation' exhibition. Photo: Royal Collection Trust -
This image of Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day on June 2, 1953, was taken by royal photographer Cecil Beaton, and remains one of the most famous portraits of the monarch. The image is a part of the 'Platinum Jubilee: The Queen's Coronation' exhibition. Photo: Royal Collection Trust -
The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II painted by Pietro Annigoni, was finished in 1956 and commissioned by the Fishmongers Company in the City of London. The image is a part of the 'Platinum Jubilee: The Queen's Coronation' exhibition. PA -
Michael Leonard's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was painted for her 60th birthday, and commissioned by 'Reader's Digest'. The image is a part of the 'Platinum Jubilee: The Queen's Coronation' exhibition. Photo: Reader's Digest / Shutterstock -
Nigerian artist Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy painted this portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which was commissioned by the Commonwealth to mark her 2002 golden jubilee on March 10, 2002. The image is a part of the 'Platinum Jubilee: The Queen's Coronation' exhibition. Photo: Royal Collection Trust -
Artist Chris Levine made headlines with his controversial portrait titled 'Lightness of Being', which shows the queen with her eyes closed. The image is a part of the 'Platinum Jubilee: The Queen's Coronation' exhibition. Photo: Royal Collection Trust -
The 1963 plaster cast known as the 'Dressed Head' by Arnold Machin, provided the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II to be used on British stamps from 1967. The image is a part of the 'Platinum Jubilee: The Queen's Coronation' exhibition. Getty Images -
This recent portrait of the monarch titled 'Algorithm Queen', was painted by an ultra-realistic humanoid robot artist called Ai-Da Robot for the platinum jubilee. -
Ralph Heimans's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was commissioned to mark her 60 years on the throne and hung in the Chapter House of Westminster Abbey. The image is a part of the 'Platinum Jubilee: The Queen's Coronation' exhibition. Photo: AFP
A wreath from Number 10, signed by Ms Truss and placed close to the door of the chapel, said: “For a lifetime of devotion and duty we offer our deep and sincere gratitude.”
As the 800 mourners sat and waited for the state hearse to arrive, daylight streamed in through the West Door and through the many windows around the nave.
Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II — in pictures
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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
Bright lights rigged up along the sides shone upon the congregation towards the aisle.
Waiting for the service to begin, the congregation may have reflected on the fact that in this gothic chapel, steeped in history, the queen experienced some of life’s happiest and saddest moments.
And the castle, a short walk up the hill, is where she spent most of her time in her later years.
Rehearsal at dawn for Queen Elizabeth's funeral — in pictures
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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.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the queen was ensconced in the ancient royal fortress with her late husband, her “strength and stay”, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Philip’s funeral was held when coronavirus restrictions were in place in April 2021 with the numbers strictly limited and the final farewell taking place entirely within the confines of the castle.
The image of the queen sitting alone in St George’s Chapel, socially distanced from her family as she mourned, became one of the defining images of the pandemic.
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin procession from Buckingham Palace — in pictures
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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
Funerals such as those of Princess Margaret and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, have also taken place in the chapel, which is situated in the lower ward of Windsor Castle’s precincts and is already the resting place of 10 monarchs.
The funeral of the queen’s father, King George VI, took place in St George’s Chapel on February 15, 1952.
But there have been joyful times too.
In May 2018, Prince Harry married Meghan Markle — now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — in a glittering ceremony.
Card on top of Queen Elizabeth's coffin shows message from King Charles — video
Later that year, in October, the queen’s granddaughter Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank in another royal wedding showstopper.
Before the turn of the century, the Earl and Countess of Wessex tied the knot in St George’s in June 1999.
A few years later, in 2005, a service of dedication and prayer was held in the chapel following the marriage of the king and the queen consort.
Queen Elizabeth II's procession through central London — video
It was where Prince Harry was baptised and where his brother Prince William, now the Prince of Wales, was confirmed.
But on this third Monday of September 2022, it was time for the queen’s family to say goodbye to a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Before 4.15pm, the coffin proceeded through the nave, passing over the vaults of Henry VIII and Charles I.
Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II takes place at Westminster Abbey — video
Tradition ran through the service, with perhaps the queen’s reputation for constancy and consistency prevailing until the very end.
The service was discussed with the queen over a number of years and all the prayers and hymns were chosen by her — apart from one.
She left one hymn to be chosen at the time, and after a discussion between the king and the Dean of Windsor David Conner, the hymn chosen was Westminster Abbey adapted from the Alleluyas in Henry Purcell’s O God, Thou Art My God.
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Much of the service had a feel of looking back, repeating what has gone before, and of coming full circle.
Before the final hymn, the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre were removed from the coffin by the Crown Jeweller and, with the Bargemaster and Serjeants-at-Arms, were passed to the Dean who placed them on the altar.
The removal of the crown from the coffin to the altar was a poignant moment, because in 1953, the crown was taken from the altar in Westminster Abbey and placed on the queen’s head at her coronation, marking the start of a 70-year reign.
The UK falls silent for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral — video
At the end of the final hymn, the king placed the Queen’s Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on the coffin.
At the same time, the Lord Chamberlain broke his Wand of Office and placed it on the coffin.
This was to create a symmetry with the three instruments of state that had been removed.
The coffin, which was placed on a catafalque draped in purple velvet, was slowly lowered down into the royal vault as the Dean of Windsor said: “Go forth upon thy journey from this world, O Christian soul.”
The chapel was completely silent as the Sovereign’s Piper played a lament, A Salute to the Royal Fendersmith, from the doorway between the chapel and the Dean’s Cloister.
As he played, he walked slowly towards the Deanery in the Cloister and the sound of the music gradually faded away.
During the service, the king sat in the seat which was occupied by the queen on the occasions when she came to the chapel, positioned closest to the altar.
Tradition ran through the service in its music, too, as it featured several pieces that were also heard at Prince Philip’s funeral and other major royal events.
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JS Bach’s Schmucke Dich, O Liebe Seele — Adorn Yourself, O Dear Soul, a piece for organ, was played as the mourners waited for the service to begin.
Another was Vaughan Williams’ Rhosymedre, a firm favourite with the royal family, with the music being performed at the wedding of King Charles and his first wife Diana, and at Prince Philip’s funeral.
Nimrod by Sir Edward Elgar was heard at the queen’s coronation in 1953 and was also played before the committal began.
The service ended with Bach’s Prelude And Fugue In C Minor, played after the national anthem, which was also heard at the end of Prince Philip’s funeral.
Prayers were said by the Rector of Sandringham, the Minister of Crathie Kirk and the Chaplain of Windsor Great Park, and by the Dean of Windsor.
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The Choir of St George’s Chapel — made up of 11 men, one woman and 13 boys — was conducted by James Vivian, director of music, and the organ was played by Luke Bond, assistant director of music.
Much of the music at the service was composed by Sir William Harris, who served as the organist at St George’s Chapel between 1933 and 1961, taking in much of the queen’s childhood.
The young Princess Elizabeth would often visit the organ loft to watch Sir William play, and it is believed he taught her to play the piano.
The Dean of Windsor’s bidding, which was written after the queen’s death, included the words: “Here, in St George’s Chapel, where she so often worshipped, we are bound to call to mind someone whose uncomplicated yet profound Christian faith bore so much fruit.
“Fruit, in a life of unstinting service to the nation, the Commonwealth and the wider world, but also — and especially to be remembered in this place — in kindness, concern and reassuring care for her family and friends and neighbours.
“In the midst of our rapidly changing and frequently troubled world, her calm and dignified presence has given us confidence to face the future, as she did, with courage and with hope.”
Queen Elizabeth II's funeral: five facts you may not know — video
The queen will be buried with her late husband in the King George VI Memorial Chapel — an annexe to the main chapel where her mother and father were buried, along with the ashes of Princess Margaret.
A private burial service, attended by the king and other members of the royal family, will take place on Monday evening.
Prince Philip’s coffin will move from the royal vault to the memorial chapel to join the queen’s.
