Queen Elizabeth II had an input in many of the elements for her funeral and final journey, it has emerged. It has been reported that the monarch had an active role in planning her final send-off, right down to the location at Westminster Abbey.
Since 1760, funerals have been held at St George's Chapel in Windsor, but the Queen decided hers should be at a larger abbey. The Abbey next to the House of Commons has got space for a congregation of 2,000.
It also played a significant role in her life as it was where she was crowned, married and where the Queen Mother's funeral was held in 2002.
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The Queen has also chosen her only daughter, Princess Anne, to accompany her on any final journey that had to be made. The Princess Royal was there as the funeral cortege travelled the six hours from Balmoral to Edinburgh, and also flew with the coffin from the Scottish capital to London.
In a moving tribute after the journey, Princes Anne said it had been "an honour and a privilege” to accompany her mother on her final journey. The 72-year-old said: “I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother’s life. To my mother, The Queen, thank you.”
It has also been reported that the Queen was even consulted on the design of the State Hearse, which took her coffin to Buckingham Palace after it had arrived at RAF Northolt from Scotland. The hearse features wide windows along the side and back, a see-through glass roof and three bright spotlights inside along one roof edge, illuminating the raised coffin.
The vehicle is finished in royal claret, the same colour as the official royal and state vehicles kept in the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, and used by members of the royal family on official duties. It was designed to allow members of the public to have a clear view of the coffin as it travels through London and back to Windsor on the day of her funeral.
The vehicle also features the Queen's personal royal cypher. Prince Philip also had a say in his funeral car. The Duke of Edinburgh opted to make his final journey in a Land Rover Defender TD5 130 painted in military green.
The Queen will be buried next to the Duke at Windsor in a private ceremony attended by her family on Monday after her state funeral at Westminster Abbey. The Queen will be laid to rest in the King George VI Memorial Chapel during a service at 7.30pm.
Her state funeral on Monday (September 19), attended by more than 2,000 official guests including the heads of state of many nations, will end with the last post, a two-minute silence, and a lament played by the Queen’s personal piper.
Before the state funeral, her coffin will be transported to Westminster Abbey on the state gun carriage.
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