LAST UPDATE | 19 Sep 2022
THE FUNERAL OF Queen Elizabeth II took place today as world leaders from around the globe descended on London to pay their respects.
The 96-year-old monarch passed away last week.
Crowds of mourners flocked to London, Windsor and royal sites throughout the UK with the service set to draw millions of TV viewers across the globe.
All public viewing areas for the funeral procession in London were full by just after 9am.
Garreth MacNamee here with you this morning to bring you the latest on the funeral proceedings.
Many dignitaries, including US President Joe Biden and French president Emmanuel Macron, have already taken their seats.
You can keep an eye on proceedings here.
So, what is going to happen?
Here’s what to expect:
Today is expected to be the biggest gathering of world leaders since the death of John Paul II in 2005.
US president Joe Biden arrived earlier this morning.
The Sultan of Brunai as well as the Sutlan of Oman are also expected to attend. Members of various other European monrachies are also there to pay their respects.
US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill arrive at Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral https://t.co/vzkzceLCY6 pic.twitter.com/ei3gH9tW9p
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) September 19, 2022
National Rail has encouraged mourners to go to pubs and cafes after the state funeral to ease the pressure on the rail network.
A post on the network’s Twitter account read: “Cafes, pubs and other hospitality providers around London are expected to be open this afternoon, so please don’t rush home immediately following the state funeral and final procession so you can continue marking this historic day and help ease pressure on the rail network.”
King Charles III and members of the royal family have arrived at the Palace of Westminster after driving the short distance from Buckingham Palace.
Charles waved at well-wishers from the back seat of his vehicle, which was one of four cars to arrive at Westminster Hall.
The King arrived at the North Door of Westminster Hall at around 10.34am.
Queen Elizabeth II is now being brought to Westminister Abbey.
Her coffin has been plaed on the Royal Navy’s State Gun Carriage.
The State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin has begun its funeral procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey.
Leading the procession are around 200 pipers and drummers of Scottish and Irish Regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas and RAF.
The State Gun Carriage has also been previously used for the funerals of King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, Winston Churchill, and Lord Mountbatten.
The Queen’s children and grandchildren are walking behind the gun carriage.
The funeral has now started.
Michael D Higgins arrived at the Abbey earlier this morning.
Both he and Taoiseach Micheál Martin paid their respects to Queen Elizabeth II at an event yesterday.
Here’s what to expect after the funeral ends.
At 12.15pm, the coffin will be taken in procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch and then travel to Windsor.
The hearse will then travel in procession to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle via the Long Walk, after which a televised committal service will take place in St George’s Chapel at 4pm.
The Dean of Windsor will conduct the service, with prayers said by the Rector of Sandringham, the Minister of Crathie Kirk and the Chaplain of Windsor Great Park.
Leaders attending include Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as European leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
But invitations were not sent to Russia and Belarus due to the invasion of Ukraine while Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, Myanmar’s military junta and Syria’s Bashar Assad were also excluded.
Some more photographs courtesy of our colleagues at the Press Association.
The Queen’s funeral has drawn to a close and her coffin has been carried from Westminster Abbey to be placed on the State Gun Carriage.
Shortly after, as the organist played Bach’s Fantasia in C minor, soldiers of the bearer party entered from the South Quire Aisle.
As the bearers moved slowly through the abbey to place the coffin once more on the gun carriage, they were followed in procession to the Great West Door by King Charles III and Queen Consort along with other members of the Royal Family.
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