Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid gave a sombre message as they returned to screens with Good Morning Britain on Monday. The hosts were back at the helm of the ITV news programme ahead of the Queen's state funeral.
And there was also a big change to the ITV show as Ben and Susanna left the studio to appear outside Westminster Abbey where later, the royal family as well as dignitaries from across the world will pay their final respects to Queen Elizabeth II in a service before the late monarch is laid to rest at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
Four days of lying in state will came to an end at 6.30am on Monday morning before the Queen's state funeral begins. At 8am on the morning of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, the doors of Westminster Abbey will open for the congregation to begin taking their seats. The King will then once again lead his family in marching behind the Queen’s coffin when it is moved, at 10.44am on Monday, from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s funeral service.
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He will walk with the Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex and behind the quartet will be the Queen’s grandsons Peter Phillips, Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales. They will be followed by the late monarch’s son-in-law Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of Gloucester, the Queen’s cousin, and her nephew the Earl of Snowdon.
The procession will arrive at the west gate of Westminster Abbey at 10.52am when the bearer party will lift the coffin from the gun carriage and carry it into the Abbey for the state funeral service, the Earl Marshal said. The service will begin at 11am and will be conducted by the Dean of Westminster.
Opening ITV's rolling coverage of the historic event, Ben and Susanna appeared outside the Abbey, with the light of the day barely breaking through. "Good Morning Britain from Westminster Abbey," Susanna began. "On the 19th of September 2022, a momentous day. The day our Queen, Queen Elizabeth II is laid to rest.
"A day marked by mourning but also a day of remembrance for a much-loved monarch who remained steadfast in her duty to the nation."
Ben went on to share how those last to see the Queen lie in state before her funeral would be exiting Westminster Hall. And the last person leaving the Queen’s lying in state at Westminster Hall was Chrissy Heerey, a serving member of the RAF from Melton Mowbray.
"Royalty from around the world will join Presidents, prime ministers and members of the public specially invited to the funeral in just a few hours time," Susanna continued. "It will be a public farewell and also a private time of sorrow for her family who have lost mother, grandmother and great-grandmother."
Ben went on: "On her 21st birthday she made a commitment to the nation declaring, 'my whole life, long or short, shall be devoted to your service,' a service she went on to embody for over 70 years."
He later added: "As we turn the chapter on the Elizabethan age, we remember the Queen's ability to connect people and to speak to the nation in good times and in bad." Susanna then concluded: "For the legions of people around the world who have followed, admired and loved her, today will be spent remembering her contribution and devotion to this country and the commonwealth as we say a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II."
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