The official laytime for Queen Elizabeth the second ends today at 6.30am (local time) in London’s historic Westminster Hall. An unprecedented number of people have lined up over the past four days to pay their respects to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
After the end of the layover, preparations begin for the final leg of her journey to Westminster Abbey, where the funeral will take place in the presence of 2,000 attendees, including the US President Joe Biden and some other 500 world leaders.
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What’s in store: At about 11:00 am the Queen’s coffin, bearing the Royal Flag with the Imperial Crown on it, is taken to Westminster Abbey in a gun carriage and drawn by naval personnel.
At the Abbey, the funeral service will be conducted by the Dean of Westminster, David Holleand the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Wellbywill deliver the sermon.
When the Queen’s coffin arrives at the Abbey, five movements, used at every state funeral since the early 18th century, are sung by a choir.
The Dean will then give the bid before the first hymn, and the General Secretary of the Commonwealth will read the first lesson from the Book of Corinthians. This is followed by a specially commissioned choral piece composed by the Master of the King’s Music.
The second lesson from the Gospel of John is read by the British Prime Minister Liz Trussfollowed by the hymn “The Lord’s my Shepherd” – which was also sung at the Queen’s wedding in 1947.
The prayers are said from the high altar before a short hymn: “O taste and see how gracious the Lord is.”
Followed by the Archbishop of Canterbury‘s commendation, the deal will pronounce the blessing. After the funeral service ends at approximately 11:55 am, the Reveille will be sounded by state trumpeters before the congregation sings “God Save the King.”
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