Britain and the world said a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II at a state funeral Monday that drew presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers – and crowds who massed along the streets of London to honour a monarch whose 70-year reign defined an age.
A procession through the streets of London took the Queen’s coffin to Windsor.
Some six hours after the state funeral, the Queen’s coffin was lowered into a vault through an opening in the floor at Windsor Castle’s chapel, ahead of a private burial service for members of the Royal Family.
The coffin was draped with the Royal Standard and atop it sat the Imperial State Crown, sparkling with almost 3,000 diamonds, and the sovereign’s orb and sceptre. But the personal was also present: a handwritten note from her son, King Charles, that read, “In loving and devoted memory” and was signed Charles R – for Rex, or king.
Elizabeth’s funeral procession arrived at the west gate of the medieval abbey shortly before the service at 11 a.m. local time. Pallbearers lifted the coffin from the state gun carriage and carried it inside the Gothic structure.
David Hoyle, the dean of Westminster, began the service offering prayers for her family and recognizing “her unswerving commitment to a high calling over so many years.”
The service, taking place where Elizabeth was married in 1947 and crowned in 1953, was attended by 2,000 people, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. In addition, about 200 members of the British public previously recognized during this year’s Queen’s Jubilee for volunteer efforts were in attendance.
King Charles III, 73, has taken the reins of the kingdom.
Albania was represented by President Bajram Begaj who was together with his wife in all the state funeral ceremonies organized in London. /Argumentum.al with newswires
