Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II: schedules, route of the procession through London and how to watch on live TV
On Monday, 19 September, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place in London. Here is the route and how to watch it on TV.
More than 2,000 political, cultural, and religious leaders, monarchs, and celebrities will visit London as invitees to Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral on Monday, 19 September. President Biden and first lady Jill Biden will be in attendance, along with five hundred other foreign dignitaries.
Since last Wednesday, Queen Elizabeth II has been lying in state in Westminster Hall at the House of Parliament. On Monday at 6:30 a.m., the doors will be closed to the public as event staff prepares the casket to be moved to Westminister Abbey for the Queen’s funeral service.
The event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., with the Queen’s coffin expected to arrive at Westminster Abbey around 10:52 a.m. Dean of Westminster David Hoyle will conduct the service. As is tradition, political and religious leaders will lead readings and prayers. The newly appointed UK Prime Minister Liz Truss is expected to participate in the ceremony.
Starting at 11:55 a.m., a two-minute moment of silence will begin. According to the long-standing funeral plans, planes will be grounded, and other steps will be taken to reduce noise pollution during the two minutes. Following the silence, the national anthem, ‘God Save the King,’ will play, bringing the funeral to an end.
Procession after the funeral at Westminster Abbey
After the events at Westminister Abbey, the Queen’s coffin will be taken on another procession around London.
By 1:00 p.m., the coffin will arrive at the Wellington Arch, where a hearse will be waiting.
The royal family and the hearse will both take off for Windsor Castle, and the Queen’s coffin is scheduled to arrive at 3:06 p.m. Together with the royal family, the Queen’s coffin will walk up Albert Road to St. Geroge’s Chapel, where the Committal Service will begin at 4:00 p.m. This service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, but the ceremony will be closed with a blessing from the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the highest cleric of the Church of England, of which the Queen was the supreme governor until her death - King Charles III now takes over this role.
After the service at St. Geroge’s Chapel, the Queen will be brought to King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle, where she will be laid to rest after a private ceremony that her family will attend.
How to watch Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
The BBC will be live streaming the events across their accounts and platforms.
Other British networks like ITV News and Sky News will also be bringing the events live, as will other major broadcasters in other countries like ABC News in Australia and CNN in the United States.