Queen Elizabeth II will make her final journey to Windsor before she's laid to rest in a private ceremony today. Her state funeral, which was attended by 2,000 invited guests and watched by billions across the world, took place at Westminster Abbey in the capital this morning.
Her Majesty's coffin was carried back out of Westminster Abbey and led on a procession through central London, where huge crowds gathered to watch it as it went past. The procession was led by the King, who was joined by his siblings and other members of the royal family.
After, her coffin was taken to Windsor on a route that has not been disclosed by the Palace. At 3pm, once the hearse has arrived in Windsor, the next procession will begin at Shaw Farm Gate on Albert Road. The state hearse will join the procession, which will have been formed up and in position, at Shaw Farm Gate before travelling to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
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From there, the Queen's coffin will be taken to Windsor Castle, her beloved Berkshire residence and her final resting place. The procession will follow the route of Albert Road, Long Walk, Cambridge Gate, Cambridge Drive, George IV Gate, Quadrangle (south and west sides), Engine Court, Norman Arch, Chapel Hill, Parade Ground and Horseshoe Cloister Arch.
Just before 4pm, the procession will halt at the bottom of the West Steps of St George’s Chapel in Horseshoe Cloister. Here, the bearer party will carry the coffin in procession up the steps into the chapel.
The Queen will be interred during a private burial at King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. A committal service will take place with around 800 attendees, before the Queen is buried at St George's Chapel in a private ceremony in the evening.
A senior palace official said: “The service and burial will be entirely private, given it is a deeply personal family occasion.” It will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor and attended by King Charles III, the Queen Consort, the Queen’s children, the Prince and Princess of Wales and other members of the royal family.
The Queen will be buried alongside her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, whose coffin was interred in the Royal Vault of St George’s – ready to be moved to the memorial chapel when the Queen died.
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