Millions of people will have watched the Queen's state funeral as it was televised to the nation and beyond. On Monday, September 19, Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest following her death on September 8. Buckingham Palace announced 11 days ago that Her Majesty had passed 'peacefully' aged 96 at Balmoral.
Buckingham Palace announced the news that day, at around 6.30pm, hours after sharing a statement saying doctors were concerned for her health. As midnight struck, the country entered a 10-day period of national mourning as Charles immediately became King upon his beloved mother's death.
And for the last four days, the Queen lay in state in Westminster Hall where mourners have filed past her coffin to pay their final respects to the late monarch. On Friday, the Queen’s children took part in their own vigil around their mother’s coffin, and the following day (Saturday) Her Majesty's eight grandchildren did the same.
On Monday, the last steps of the Queen's towards her final resting place began in New Palace Yard with a procession to Westminster Abbey. King Charles III stood in line with his siblings the Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex, behind the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy, for a moment of silence before the journey on-foot toe the service at the historic location began. The Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex and Peter Phillips all followed behind the coffin, for the short walk to the Abbey.
A service, full of poignant nods to the Queen's life and loves, then took place in the historic building with the royal family amid the 2,000 dignitaries and specially invited guests in the abbey. A service of committal will take place at St George’s Chapel and will feature rituals which symbolise the end of her reign.
There will be a congregation of 800 people including the King, the royal family, realm prime ministers, governors-general and mourners from the Queen’s household past and present.
The Queen’s coffin will be driven from London to Windsor in the state hearse and make its way up the Long Walk, which will be lined with members of the armed forces. The King and other royals will join the procession on foot behind the hearse in the castle’s quadrangle, with the Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Sussex and the Countess of Wessex following by car.
But prior to the end of the first service, the national anthem was sung for one of only a handful of times since the Queen's death, with 'God Save The King' now ringing out amongst those gathered.
However, those watching the televised service were left confused when the national anthem went beyond its first verse and into a second which doesn't appear to be as widely remembered.
@CalmLikeVanDijk tweeted: "Wait there's a second verse of the national anthem?!" @alittlebitalina posted: "Anyone else just find out there is a second verse to the national anthem #queensfuneral." @Ashley_Baker wrote: "Wait. What? There is a second part to the National Anthem?! #thequeensfuneral." @LiamK2292 added: "You learn something new every day, there’s a second verse to the national anthem."
Some, however, knew it existed but enjoyed watching others being sent into panic. BaoPando said: "Second verse of the national anthem caught me off guard. You never hear it so it's easy to forget it exists." @jonnyyweldon tweeted: "The sheer panic of that national anthem second verse starting." @HelenaPielichat posted: "Nice move making them sing the second verse of the national anthem. That caught them all out." @jade_dolling added: "They hit the second verse of the national anthem and I’ve never seen so many people scramble to turn the page #queensfuneral."
Want to know the full lyrics? You can read them below:
The National Anthem
God save our gracious King,
long live our noble King,
God save The King.
Send him victorious,
happy and glorious,
long to reign over us:
God save The King.
Thy choicest gifts in store
on him be pleased to pour,
long may he reign.
May he defend our laws,
and ever give us cause
to sing with heart and voice:
God save The King!
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