New Delhi: Queen Elizabeth II, the longest serving monarch of United Kingdom passed away at Balmoral on September 8. Preparations are underway for her funeral, however no specific date has been scheduled for the last rites. The 96-year-old Queen held the reins for 70 long years, longest in the history of Britain’s royal family.
The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II is likely to take place at Westminster Abbey in about 2 weeks time.
As the nation mourns her demise and global leaders express condolences, here is what will happen over next few days, leading to Queen’s state funeral :
* On Day 1 of mourning, one-minute silence will be observed and gun salutes are likely at the Hyde Park and at the Tower hill.
* Tributes will be paid to the Britain’s longest serving monarch in the Parliament and flags will be put half-mast till the day of funeral
* Also, the Accession Council will meet to proclaim the new king for throne. During this period, flags will be put at full mast for 24 hours.
* Queen’s coffin will be taken from Balmoral, the place where she died. It will be taken by road to the Palace of Holyrood house.
* A ceremonial procession from Holywood house to St Giles’ Cathedral will follow and the Royal family will be part of it
* St Giles’ Cathedral will remain open to public for 24 hours, for paying their last respects
* Coffin will be lifted to London for last rites. First it will be taken to Buckingham Palace, before taking to London for the ceremonial
* The state funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey while the whole nation will observe 2 minutes of silence.
* Then, the coffin will be taken to Hyde Park, where it will be transferred from gun carriage to state hearse & then taken to Windsor.
* A committal service will be organized at St George’s Chapel Windsor Castle, during which the coffin will be lowered into the royal vault.
* Buckingham Palace will make an official announcement, following which flags across the royal residences & govt buildings will be lowered to half-mast. Their website will also change to ‘black’ to mourn the demise of Queen.
