Funeral of Elizabeth II in London: final farewell to the queen of queens, the last act of a reign that marks the end of an era. This morning the monarch's coffin was carried on the shoulders by a Royal Guard picket of honor inside Westminster Abbey. The funeral procession started from Westminster Hall and traveled a few tens of meters to accompany the coffin of the sovereign, lying on a Victorian-era cannon carriage, inside the abbey. King Charles and the other Windsors, Anna, Edoardo and Andrea, followed by William and Harry, after leaving Buckingham Palace in their car, followed the coffin of Elizabeth II with a rhythmic march. An iron and imposing ceremonial with meticulous direction studied in every detail.
The powerful of the world in London for Elizabeth's funeral
Thus began the last earthly moment for the queen who dominated the United Kingdom for 70 years. The coffin was followed along the central nave by all the members of the royal family and also by the princes George and Charlotte, great-grandchildren of the sovereign, sons of Prince William heir to the throne. In the long aisle of Westminster all the powerful of the world: crowned heads and heads of state.
Greetings from the Anglican Church
The Anglican Church, the Christian confession to which Elizabeth II was faithful and headed during her long reign, officiated the solemn funeral rite for the queen, in Westminster Abbey. The reverend presides over the liturgy David Hoyle, rector of the abbey. To deliver the sermon the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, primate of the Church of England. In the front row also religious representatives of other faiths present in the UK: from Islam to Judaism, from Hinduism to Buddhism.
Reverend David Hoyle opened the liturgy after the singing of a first solemn hymn. Hoyle recalled with a voice broken by emotion the symbolic value of Westminster Abbey in the long life of Elizabeth II. A sacred place where Elizabeth was united in marriage with Prince Philip still as hereditary princess in 1947. Thus giving life to what would have been a union that lasted 73 years. And where she was solemnly crowned queen in June 1953, just over a year after she took the British throne on the death of her father, King George VI.
A life for the nation
Elizabeth II "dedicated her life to serving the nation and the Commonwealth". This was said by the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, during the solemn liturgy at Westminster Abbey in memory of the late queen. Welby also recalled the 'We'll Meet Again' that the sovereign sent in a message to her subjects during the lockdown for the Covid pandemic. A message taken up by the archbishop underlining the sovereign's faith in the afterlife.
Concluded the rite, the coffin will be led to'Wellington Arch; he will later be transferred to a hearse, which will take him to Windsor Castle. Arriving in the ancient vaulted manor he will be carried in procession to the chapel of Saint George. Here a religious farewell service will take place in the presence of people chosen according to the strict ceremonial. Elizabeth II will be buried next to her husband Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in King George VI Memorial Chapel during a private ceremony in which only the royal family will participate.
(Photo HM Queen Elizabeth II)
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