The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and First Lady Maithree at funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey

The Queen’s coffin was borne to the Abbey from the Palace of Westminster on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy. Accompanying the coffin were the King, members of the Royal family, and members of the King’s Household

The funeral procession started off with the pipes and drums of 200 members of the Massed Pipes and Drums from Scottish and Irish Regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Royal Air Force. Departed from Wellington Barracks to Palace Yard Westminster

On 8 September 2022, Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom and the Head of the Commonwealth realms known to be the oldest living and longest-reigning British monarch, died at the age of 96 in Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The Queen is said to have died by 16:30 British Summer Time (BST). 

Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II earlier this month, the UK was in a 10-day period of national mourning. Flags were flying from government buildings at half mast, with flowers having been laid by the general public and advertising boards around the country were replaced with tributes to her life. Television news presenters wore formal black attire as a mark of respect. Many businesses were shut on 19 September and the day was declared a national bank holiday.

Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin was displayed for public viewing for a little over four days within Westminster Hall before her state funeral.

After 10 days of mourning, the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was held at Westminster Abbey at 11 a.m. on Monday 19 September.

The funeral procession started off with the pipes and drums of 200 members of the Massed Pipes and Drums from Scottish and Irish Regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Royal Air Force. Departed from Wellington Barracks to Palace Yard Westminster.

Before the service, the Abbey’s tenor bell tolled once every minute for 96 minutes, reflecting the years of the Queen’s life.

The Queen’s coffin was borne to the Abbey from the Palace of Westminster on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy. Accompanying the coffin were HM The King, Members of the Royal Family, and members of The King’s Household.

The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr. David Hoyle. Settings of the Burial Sentences by William Croft and Henry Purcell, both former Organists of Westminster Abbey, were sung as the Procession of the Coffin moved through the Abbey.

The Sermon was preached by the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Right Honourable Baroness Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, read from 1 Corinthians 15, including verse 55: ‘O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?’

UK Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Elizabeth Truss MP, read from John 14: 1 – 9: ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.’

Prayers were led by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor, and said by representatives of the churches of the United Kingdom. 

The Dean pronounced the Blessing.

The service came to a close with the singing of the National Anthem, before the Sovereign’s Piper, WO1 (Pipe Major) Paul Burns played the traditional lament, Sleep, dearie, sleep.

After the funeral, the Westminster Abbey Company of Ringers began ringing a full peal of Stedman Caters, lasting more than three hours. The bells were rung fully-muffled – something which only happens upon the death of the monarch.

The Royal Family were joined in the Abbey by a 2,000-strong congregation including Heads of State, not limited to other kings and queens from The Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Belgium and the Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg were also present. Overseas Government Representatives, not limited to the President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe and First Lady of Sri Lanka Maithree, USA President Joe Biden, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Irish President Michael D. Higgins. 

Also in attendance were other representatives of Governors General, Realm Prime Ministers and the Commonwealth, the Orders of Chivalry including recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross, Government, Parliament, the devolved Parliaments and Assemblies, the Church, and Her Majesty’s Patronages. 

All faith leaders were represented from Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism by Most Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera the incumbent Head Priest of the London Buddhist Vihara and the current Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain.

Almost 200 people who were recognised in The Queen’s Birthday Honours earlier this year were also present, including those who made extraordinary contributions to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and have volunteered in their local communities.

On the Queen’s coffin was the sceptre, orb, the crown jewels, which include more than 100 objects and 23,000 gemstones. A wreath of flowers, foliage cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House. These included scented pelargoniums, garden roses, autumnal hydrangea, sedum, dahlias, scabious, all in shades of gold, pink, burgundy, as well as rosemary, myrtle and English oak foliage.

At the end of the service, Her Majesty’s coffin was borne to Wellington Arch, via the Mall on the State Gun Carriage. The State Gun Carriage was pulled by 98 Royal Navy sailors, with a further 40 marching behind acting as brakes. The King and Members of the Royal Family again followed the Queen’s coffin in procession. The procession included detachments from the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth, as well as detachments of the British Armed Forces who held a special relationship with the Queen.

The King’s Guard gave a Royal Salute as the coffin passed the Queen Victoria Memorial.

Once the coffin reached Wellington Arch, it was placed in the State Hearse. The parade gave a Royal Salute and the National Anthem played as the State Hearse began its journey to Windsor.

When the coffin reached Windsor, the State Hearse joined a procession and travelled via the Long Walk to St. George’s Chapel. Members of the Royal family joined the procession in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle. Minute guns were fired on the East Lawn, Windsor Castle by The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, and Sebastopol Bell and the Curfew Tower Bell tolled throughout the Procession.

Her Majesty’s fell Pony, Emma and her corgis, Muick and Sandy, were present as the procession passed. 

The procession halted at the bottom of the West Steps of St. George’s Chapel where a Guard of Honour, found by the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was mounted. The Queen’s coffin was borne in procession into the Chapel.

The Committal Service began at 4 p.m., and alongside His Majesty the King and Members of the Royal Family, the congregation was made up of past and present members of The Queen’s Household, including from the private estates. Also in attendance were Governors General and Realm Prime Ministers the service was conducted by the Dean of Windsor, with prayers said by the Rector of Sandringham, the Minister of Crathie Kirk and the Chaplain of Windsor Great Park. The Choir of St. George’s Chapel sang during the service.

Prior to the final hymn, the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre were removed from Her Majesty the Queen’s coffin, and placed on the altar. At the end of the final hymn, The King placed the Queen’s Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on Her Majesty’s coffin. At the same time, The Lord Chamberlain “broke” his Wand of Office and placed it on the coffin.

As the Queen’s coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault, the Dean of Windsor said a Psalm and the Commendation before Garter King of Arms pronounced Her Majesty’s styles and titles. The Sovereign’s Piper played a Lament and The Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced the Blessing. The National Anthem was sung at the conclusion of the service.

A private burial took place in The King George VI Memorial Chapel later that evening, conducted by the Dean of Windsor.

The Queen was buried together with The Duke of Edinburgh, at The King George VI Memorial Chapel.

Queen Elizabeth greeted the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Liz Truss as she arrived at Balmoral Castle on 6 September