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Queen’s funeral: Queen Elizabeth farewelled in state funeral at Westminster Abbey, private burial at Windsor

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Queen Elizabeth farewelled by millions as it’s televised around the world

By Latika Bourke

And that is the end of our live coverage of the Queen’s state funeral, ahead of her private burial at Windsor Castle on Monday night, local time.

Tens of thousands of mourners gather at Windsor.

Tens of thousands of mourners gather at Windsor.Credit: Getty

The funeral can be described as nothing other than a complete success, with the proceedings - years in the making - going to plan without a hitch.

The Queen’s funeral cortege on the state gun carriage of the Royal Navy travels along the Mall.

The Queen’s funeral cortege on the state gun carriage of the Royal Navy travels along the Mall.Credit: Getty Images

Dignitaries from all over the world clamoured for a VIP invite and those who scored one could not have been disappointed.

First lady Jill Biden with her husband US President Joe Biden at Westminster Abbey.

First lady Jill Biden with her husband US President Joe Biden at Westminster Abbey.Credit: PA

Millions turned out in London, lined the motorways to Windsor and swamped the Long Walk to Windsor Castle where Elizabeth II will now rest, bringing to a close her 70-year-reign and the second Elizabethan era so lauded that not even Australia’s most fervent republicans thought it possible to open the conversation while she breathed.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with his partner Jodie Haydon are pictured behind Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with his partner Jodie Haydon are pictured behind Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth.Credit: Getty

But they may find that job just as hard with King Charles III on the throne.

King Charles III.

King Charles III.Credit: Getty

The climate King has already established a connection with his people and he was cheered as he followed his mother’s cortege over the last 10 days of mourning.

Princess of Wales, Charlotte, with her brother, Prince George of Wales, second-in-line to the throne, debuted at their first solemn event at the Queen’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey.

Princess of Wales, Charlotte, with her brother, Prince George of Wales, second-in-line to the throne, debuted at their first solemn event at the Queen’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey.Credit: Getty

And Prince William, the Prince of Wales, and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, debuted their children at their first solemn event and that too was a success.

The imperial state crown on top of the coffin.

The imperial state crown on top of the coffin.Credit: Getty

The baton has been passed and the Queen bequeaths her heir a monarchy in strong shape, with the Archbishop of Canterbury lauding her selfless leadership as an example to all.

A marching band walks past Big Ben following Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.

A marching band walks past Big Ben following Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.Credit: Reuters

Britain’s ability to stage such a mammoth funeral event and co-ordinate hundreds of thousands of people over four days in a continous 24-hour queue for the lying-in-state has also put the country back under a favourable spotlight.

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, lying at Westminster Abbey.

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, lying at Westminster Abbey.Credit: Getty

The stunning images broadcast from inside Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel, where private photographs are banned, will enchant millions overseas with the country’s rich royal history.

King Charles III and members of the royal family follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried into St George’s Chapel for her committal service.

King Charles III and members of the royal family follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried into St George’s Chapel for her committal service.Credit: AP

Up to four billion people may have watched the funeral. We’ll likely get clearer figures in coming days but for now, her country has given her a farewell fitting of the reign for which they love her so.

The Queen’s two remaining corgis, Sandy and Muick, wait for the coffin to arrive.

The Queen’s two remaining corgis, Sandy and Muick, wait for the coffin to arrive.Credit: AP

Thanks for joining us for our rolling coverage.

There’s plenty more for you to catch up on and indulge in, thanks to our wonderfully hard-working team in London, led by Europe correspondent Rob Harris and writers Tony Wright and Julia Naughton.

You can read more here:

Report: ‘We will meet again’: Millions bid final farewell to Queen they’ll never forget

Analysis: We shall never see her like again: An era of grace, humanity and fortitude

Analysis: A mother grieved, a Queen farewelled, and a King’s handwritten note

The details: The Queen’s funeral: The music, the jewels, the uniforms

Who caught the bus, or not: Biden in ‘the beast’, Albanese and Macron on the bus: who attended the funeral

    Report: Australians farewell Queen Elizabeth in Sydney and Melbourne

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    God Save the King is sung to end the ceremony

    By Latika Bourke

    The committal is a much shorter and more intimate service compared to the state funeral at the Abbey.

    The mourners sang God Save the King to conclude the service.

    The Queen will be privately buried later and the public will not see this carried out.

    Middle row, third from left, King Charles III, Camilla, the Queen Consort, Princess Anne, Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice; front row from left, Prince Edward, the Duke of Wessex, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn; top row, from left, George Windsor, the Earl of St Andrews, Sylvana Palma Windsor, the Countess of St Andrews,  attend the committal service for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at  St George’s Chapel.

    Middle row, third from left, King Charles III, Camilla, the Queen Consort, Princess Anne, Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice; front row from left, Prince Edward, the Duke of Wessex, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn; top row, from left, George Windsor, the Earl of St Andrews, Sylvana Palma Windsor, the Countess of St Andrews, attend the committal service for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at St George’s Chapel.Credit: PA

    Piper plays fading lament

    By Latika Bourke

    Just like at the Abbey, the sovereign’s piper is playing the final lament and moving out of the chapel so that the sound gradually fades away.

    King Charles III and members of the royal family follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried into St George’s Chapel for her committal service.

    King Charles III and members of the royal family follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried into St George’s Chapel for her committal service.Credit: AP

    It’s a beautiful moment.

    Queen’s coffin lowered into royal vault

    By Latika Bourke

    The Queen’s coffin is now lowered into the royal vault as the Dean of Windsor reads out Psalm 103.

    The committal service for Queen Elizabeth II underway at St George’s Chapel.

    The committal service for Queen Elizabeth II underway at St George’s Chapel.Credit: PA

    It reads:

    “Like as a father pitieth his own children:
    even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.
    For he knoweth whereof we are made:
    he remembereth that we are but dust.
    The days of man are but as grass:
    for he flourisheth as a flower of the field.
    For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone:
    and the place thereof shall know it no more.
    But the merciful goodness of the Lord endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear him:
    and his righteousness upon children’s children.

    “Go forth upon thy journey from this world,
    O Christian soul;
    In the name of God the Father Almighty who created thee; In the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for thee;
    In the name of the Holy Spirit who strengtheneth thee.
    In communion with the blessèd saints,
    and aided by Angels and Archangels,
    and all the armies of the heavenly host,
    may thy portion this day be in peace,
    and thy dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem.
    Amen.”

    The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II at St George’s Chapel.

    The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II at St George’s Chapel.Credit: PA

    The Garter King of Arms then pronounces the styles and titles of the Queen which includes her role as head of the Commonwealth.

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    Crown jewels removed ahead of burial

    By Latika Bourke

    The Queen’s three chaplains, the Rector of Sandringham, the Minister of Crathie Kirk (the church nearest to Balmoral in Scotland, where she worshipped) and the Chaplain of the Royal Chapel, Windsor Great Park are reading the prayers.

    One of the key symbolic moments now takes place.

    The Imperial State Crown.

    The Imperial State Crown.Credit: Getty

    Just before the final hymn is sung, those glittering state jewels that have been atop her coffin since she lay in state at Westminster Hall are now removed.

    The imperial state crown, the orb and the sceptre are removed from the coffin by the crown jeweller.

    These crown jewels are normally displayed at the Tower of London, but will be brought back out from behind their massive security for Charles’ coronation next year.

    The crown jeweller, bargemaster and serjeants-at-arms, will pass them to the Dean who will place them on the altar.

    As the hymn ends, the King will place the Queen’s company camp colour of the Grenadier Guards on the coffin while the Lord Chamberlain will “break” his Wand of Office and place it on the coffin.

    This is done to create symmetry with the three instruments of state that have been removed.

    Reading has royal tradition

    By Latika Bourke

    The Dean of Windsor is giving a reading from the Book of Revelation.

    Savannah Phillips and Zara Tindall (back) and Isla Phillips, Lena Tindall and Mike Tindall at the committal service for the Queen.

    Savannah Phillips and Zara Tindall (back) and Isla Phillips, Lena Tindall and Mike Tindall at the committal service for the Queen.Credit: PA

    Revelation 21, verses 1-7 were read at the funerals of the Queen’s grandparents, King George V in 1936 and Queen Mary in 1953, and at the funeral of her own father King George VI in 1952.

    It reads:

    “I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

    Music composed by Elizabeth’s piano teacher

    By Latika Bourke

    A lot of the music you are hearing being sung and played at the committal was composed by Sir William Harris.

    He served as the organist at the chapel between 1933 and 1961.

    As a princess, Elizabeth would visit the organ loft to watch him play, and it’s believed he became her piano teacher.

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    Queen finalised this order of service over a number of years

    By Latika Bourke

    Many of the choices of readings and hymns were made by the Queen herself in the years before her death.

    The choir of St George’s Chapel is singing during this service. They are made up of 11 men, one woman and 13 boys conducted by James Vivian.

    Pallbearers carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into St George’s Chapel.

    Pallbearers carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into St George’s Chapel.Credit: Getty

    The organ is played by Luke Bond – both Bond and Vivian helped with the music for the service for Prince Philip, who was farewelled in this same chapel in April last year.

    You might remember that sad, touching image of the Queen, wearing a black face mask, sitting alone and mourning the death of her husband, while observing the COVID rules of the time.

    The Queen stands as Prince Philip’s coffin is carried into St George’s Chapel.

    The Queen stands as Prince Philip’s coffin is carried into St George’s Chapel.Credit: AP

    Order of service

    By Latika Bourke

    Final salute as Queen’s coffin is carried into St George’s Chapel

    By Latika Bourke

    The pallbearers are carrying Queen Elizabeth’s coffin up the steps of St George’s Chapel inside Windsor Castle.

    Inside the committal service will take place, attended by around 800 people, making it the more intimate service of the two held today.

    The King and members of the royal family walked behind the coffin in procession and there was one final royal salute given outside the chapel before her coffin was moved inside.

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