The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II is taking place in London today. She died on September 8 at the age of 96, having been on the throne the longest in British history – more than 70 years. The funeral is broadcast live by the public television channels of the British Commonwealth countries:
On Monday morning, access to the Palace of Westminster for those wishing to say goodbye to the deceased monarch was terminated. Since September 14, thousands of Britons and citizens of other countries have paid tribute to Elizabeth II. They lined up in queues many kilometers long, in which they had to stand for more than 12 hours.
From Westminster Hall, the coffin, accompanied by the royal family, was transferred to nearby Westminster Abbey, where a memorial service began at 11 am local time (13.00 Moscow time). It lasted one hour. It is attended by King Charles III, members of the royal family, the Archbishop of Canterbury, British Prime Minister Liz Truss, representatives of confessions.
Two thousand people were invited to the memorial service. The funeral of Elizabeth II is attended by about 500 heads of state and foreign leaders. Official representatives of Russia weren’t invited to the farewell ceremony for Elizabeth II – as well as representatives of Belarus, Venezuela, Syria, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
The memorial service ended with the singing of “God Save the King” – this is how the first line of the British anthem now sounds. The famous clock on the British Parliament – Big Ben – will ring every minute when the queen’s coffin leaves Westminster Abbey on a gun carriage, which 98 British sailors will deliver to Wellington Arch. There, the coffin will be transferred to a hearse, which will travel to Windsor Castle, where a private funeral ceremony will take place in the presence of the Queen’s family and immediate family. Elizabeth II will be buried in a tomb next to her husband Prince Philip.
The BBC reports that up to one million people could come to London on the occasion of the Queen’s funeral. Such data was provided by Transport for London, referring to the number of tickets purchased for suburban trains.
The London police said that ensuring order at events in connection with the death of the queen is the largest operation in the history of this service. “Bigger than the 2012 Olympics, bigger than the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee” said Representative from Scotland Yard.
It will be a day of emotion and funeral ceremonies the likes of which have not been seen in the UK for almost 60 years since the last state funeral in the country – the funeral of Winston Churchill, the BBC notes.
Canada will be one of the few Commonwealth kingdoms to hold their own ceremony on the day of a state funeral, according to the BBC Russian Service. Elizabeth II visited this country more often than any other. The events will be attended by former prime ministers and governors general of Canada, as well as indigenous leaders. Ottawa will host a memorial and air parade in honor of the late Queen and a 96-gun salute will be given.
New King of Great Britain proclaimed his son Charles was named Charles III.