Queen Elizabeth II offered the nation her service and devotion and in return the country bade farewell to the late monarch with all its heart on Monday.
The UK ground to a halt for the state funeral, before she was laid to rest at Windsor Castle.
Throughout the ceremony, field guns fired every minute and the muffled bell of Westminster Abbey rang out 96 times, once for every year of her life.
After her death, the late monarch was described by Prime Minister Liz Truss as the rock on which modern Britain was built, and the country was ready after ten days of official mourning to show its appreciation for her reign.
King Charles III was visibly moved throughout the service and looked close to tears as the national anthem was sung, echoing off the eaves of the gothic Westminster Abbey.
He added a personal touch with a wreath that adorned the queen’s coffin and a handwritten note. The message said: “In loving and devoted memory.”
-
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
For the royals, who sat facing the crowned heads and representatives of Europe's regal families from across the continent, the splendour of the moment was also one of personal sadness.
The future heir, Prince George, 9, was comforted by his mother, the Princess of Wales, who put a caring hand on his knee during the service.
It was the largest gathering of royals this century as 500 overseas guests joined the 2,000 strong congregation, including King Abdullah of Jordan and the Sultan of Oman.
In the religious service, the Archbishop of Canterbury said that the grief felt around the world arose from her abundant life.
“She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives,” said Justin Welby. “People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer.
“We can all share the queen’s hope which in life and death inspired her servant leadership. All who follow the queen’s example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: ‘We will meet again’.”
Flowers ranged from bouquets of red roses and pink lilies to potted plants and wreaths from foreign royals. Those picked from the significant gardens that were treasured by the queen included lilies, dahlias, roses, and greenery including Eucalyptus.
Pallbearers from the Grenadier Guards brought the coffin to the gun carriage and Royal Navy sailors pulled the flag-draped cortege along Whitehall and The Mall, past the gates of Buckingham Palace and under the Wellington Arch. There the coffin was transferred to the state hearse for its departure from London to the royal citadel at Windsor.
Restless children were reined in by their parents, crying babies were shushed and the adults craned their necks as the king’s guards passed the giant black and gold front gates of the palace.
Elizabeth Jones, 72, whose parents named her after the queen, joked that she had a marriage like the late monarch as her husband is also called Philip.
“We always loved the queen,” Mrs Jones, from Warwickshire, said. “She’s been there for almost all of my life.”
People had secured their spots at the barriers along the route, some days in advance.
Paul, an admirer of the monarchy, was visibly touched by the occasion as he waited alongside his wife Justine and son Alex. The family wore all black as a mark of respect for the queen.
“It was the queen’s dignity and grace and her sense of responsibility that I always admired,” he said. “She had a kind of unique life.”
Louis Bollard, dressed in a union flag, watched the queen’s funeral on the big screens in Hyde Park.
“The funeral was very powerful,” he said. “Seeing it was quite enchanting and mesmerising. It was a really, really nice, fitting tribute.”
-
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
Across the country people used the public holiday to watch the funeral on big screens in public squares and with friends and family in private gatherings. More than one million travelled to London.
A major power cut on the railways west of London left thousands stranded unable to get to the capital. For those stuck on trains, mobile phones were tuned into the events in Westminster.
Gaby Thomas, 29, who travelled from Castle Cary, Somerset, with her father, said she had been scheduled to arrive hours before the funeral began.
“My dad is a former naval officer and he wanted to see the procession and the military involved,” she said. “It’s just about being there. We are still hoping to catch the end of the procession.
“It’s a typical British thing to happen.”
There was also rare disruption for the journey of the US president Joe Biden who was given dispensation to use his motorcade headed by a limousine known as 'The Beast'. It took so long to navigate a tight corner that the American leader was almost 10 minutes later getting to his seat.
Smoother arrangements were in evidence early on Monday when dozens of world leaders gathered in Chelsea to be taken by bus to the ceremony. African leaders were among the first, with Sudan’s military leader Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, among them.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rode in a sleek, dark BMW and Italian president Sergio Mattarella arrived in his embassy’s Maserati.
The arrival at St George's Chapel in Windsor revived memories of the queen marking the death of her husband Prince Philip with very few family members during the Covid-19 pandemic 16 months earlier.
There was a mix of family and statesmen for the queens committal. Among those invited to the service were prime ministers from countries where the queen was head of state, former British prime ministers Sir John Major and Sir Tony Blair, who are Garter Knights, and current premier Liz Truss.
The commemoration concluded with the Imperial State Crown, Orb and Sceptre lifted from the coffin and placed on the altar.
Once the Lord Chamberlain, head of the queen's household, broke his wand of office on the lid, the coffin was removed to the royal vault.
UK opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer said a woman who ruled for 70 years would always be with those who lived during her reign. “We are lucky to call ourselves Elizabethans,” he said.
Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign - in pictures
-
Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her platinum jubilee in 2022, the first British monarch to reign for 70 years. Here 'The National' looks back at each of the years the queen has been on the throne. All photos: Getty Images -
1952: A portrait of the queen and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. -
1953: The queen and the Duke of Edinburgh wave at the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London, after the queen's coronation, on June 2. -
1954: The queen talking to an injured ex-serviceman during a visit to Repatriation General Hospital in Hobart, Australia. -
1955: Gen Francisco Craveiro Lopes, President of Portugal, leaves Westminster Pier for Buckingham Palace by coach, with the queen. -
1956: The queen inspects the Queen's Own Nigeria Regiment, at Kaduna Airport, Nigeria, during her Commonwealth tour. -
1957: The queen presents the trophy to American tennis player Althea Gibson after she won the women's singles tennis title at Wimbledon. -
1958: The queen shares a joke while watching Prince Philip during a cricket match at Highclere Castle, Hampshire. -
1959: US president Dwight D Eisenhower with Prince Philip, Princess Anne, the queen, Prince Charles and John Eisenhower, at Balmoral Castle, Scotland. -
1960: The queen and Prince Charles walk through Liverpool Street Station in London with their dogs, having returned by train from Sandringham after the Christmas holidays. -
1961: The queen and Prince Philip leave Manchester by train. -
1962: The queen attends the races at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey. -
1963: The queen waves to residents from the rear of an open top car in the town of Russell, during a Commonwealth visit to New Zealand. -
1964: The queen during the State Opening of Parliament ceremony in the chamber of the House of Lords, at the Palace of Westminster in London. -
1965: At the Tissisal Falls, where the Blue Nile begins, with Emperor Haile Selassie during a royal visit to Ethiopia. -
1966: The queen smiling after presenting England captain Bobby Moore with the Jules Rimet trophy, following England's 4-2 victory over West Germany in the World Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London. -
1967: The queen meets actor Rex Harrison and his wife Rachel Roberts at the premiere of the film 'Dr Dolittle' at the Odeon Marble Arch, London. -
1968: The queen, Princess Margaret, and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, riding at Ascot Racecourse. -
1969: The royal family at Windsor: Prince Edward, the queen, Princess Anne, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew. -
1970: US president Richard Nixon and British prime minister Edward Heath meet the queen for lunch at Chequers. -
1971: Prince Charles takes part in a polo match in Windsor Great Park, accompanied by the queen and Prince Edward. -
1972: The queen and Prince Philip with the president of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta, during a visit to Kenya. -
1973: Anne, the Princess Royal and Mark Phillips with the queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London after their wedding. -
1974: The queen with the Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard at Buckingham Palace in London. -
1975: The queen greets the public while visiting Greenwich, London. -
1976: The queen looking relaxed standing next to her car. -
1977: The crowd cheers the queen in her gilded state coach during her silver jubilee procession. -
1978: The queen and Prince Philip are greeted by Native Canadians as they arrive by train during a tour of Canada. -
1979: The queen is met by president Julius Nyerere at Dar es Salaam airport, at the start of a three-day state visit to Tanzania. -
1980: On a tour of the Chelsea Flower Show, London. -
1981: The Prince and Princess of Wales pose on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day, with the queen. -
1982: US president Ronald Reagan and the queen at a gala dinner at Windsor Castle. -
1983: The queen and Prince Philip are met by Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi and president Zail Singh at Palam Airport, New Delhi, during a Commonwealth tour of India. -
1984: Prince Charles is presented with an award by his mother, after a polo match at Smiths Lawn in Windsor. -
1985: The queen visits the University of Evora during a state visit to Portugal. -
1986: The queen and Li Xiannian, president of China, outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during her visit to China. -
1987: The queen with Prince William and Prince Harry in the Royal Box at Guards Polo Club, Smiths Lawn, Windsor. -
1988: US president Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan chatting with the queen at Buckingham Palace. -
1989: The royal family gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London for the Trooping the Colour ceremony. Pictured are Princess Margaret, Princess Diana, Prince Harry, Prince William, the queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. -
1990: The queen on a walkabout in Reykjavik, during a three-day state visit to Iceland. -
1991: England captain Will Carling introduces the queen to the England team before the Rugby World Cup Final against Australia at Twickenham. -
1992: The queen at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin during an official tour of Germany. She is seen with President Richard Von Weizsaecker. -
1993: The queen walking through the crowds at Royal Ascot. -
1994: The queen, Princess Anne, Prince Philip and Princess Diana greeting well-wishers as they attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. -
1995: The queen at a banquet in Cape Town, South Africa, with president Nelson Mandela. -
1996: Germany captain Jurgen Klinsmann lifts the trophy as the queen smiles, after the 1996 UEFA European Championships Final against Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium in London. -
1997: The queen and Prince Philip view tributes from the public outside Buckingham Palace to Diana, Princess of Wales, after her funeral. -
1998: The queen shopping at the trade stands at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. -
1999: With British prime minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie Blair during the Millennium New Year celebrations in Greenwich, London. -
2000: The queen and Italy's president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi walk past the honour guard at the Piazza Di Siena in Rome. -
2001: The queen and other members of the royal family appear with the Queen Mother during celebrations to mark her 101st birthday in London. -
2002: The queen and Prince Philip leave after a party for close friends and family at The Ritz hotel in London. The monarch was thanking them for making her golden jubilee year a success. -
2003: Russian President Vladimir Putin is accompanied by the queen during a procession at the start of his state visit in London. -
2004: The queen arrives in her horsedrawn carriage to attend Ladies Day at Royal Ascot. -
2005: Prince Charles and his bride, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, pose with their families and the queen at Windsor Castle after their wedding ceremony. -
2006: The queen smiles at the crowds in Windsor, during a walk in the town to celebrate her 80th Birthday. -
2007: A less-than-impressed queen raises her hand during a downpour as she stands with Prince Philip and Prince Charles on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Colour ceremony. -
2008: The queen stands in the music room at Buckingham Palace after recording her Christmas day message to the Commonwealth. -
2009: US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama with the queen and Prince Philip during an audience at Buckingham Palace. -
2010: The queen and Prince Philip wear 3D glasses to watch a demonstration, during a visit to the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. -
2011: The queen and Prince Philip arrive to open the Sainsbury Laboratory for Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge Botanic Garden. -
2012: The queen makes a speech at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games in London. -
2013: The queen and other members of the royal family leave Westminster Abbey in London, after the service to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the coronation of the queen there. -
2014: A smiling queen arrives for the opening of the Flanders Fields Memorial Garden at Wellington Barracks in London. -
2015: The queen signs a book during a visit to the headquarters of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force's 603 Squadron in Edinburgh, Scotland. -
2016: Prince Charles, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, Prince Harry, the queen, and Prince Philip stand on the balcony during the Trooping the Colour, this year marking the Queen's 90th birthday at The Mall. -
2017: The queen and Prince Charles attend the State Opening Of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster, London. -
2018: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and the queen at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace. -
2019: The queen and US president Donald Trump arrive for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. -
2020: Riding at Windsor. The queen has been in residence at Windsor Castle during the coronavirus pandemic. -
2021: The queen takes her seat at the funeral of Prince Philip, in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
