A short service has been held at London’s Westminster Hall, where Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II lies in state ahead of her funeral next week.
Elizabeth’s coffin was taken to Westminster Hall on Wednesday in a solemn procession through the streets of London. King Charles III walked behind the gun carriage carrying the queen’s coffin, joined by his sons, William and Harry, and Charles’ siblings, Anne, Andrew and Edward. Adorning the coffin were the royal standard, along with a wreath of flowers and a bejeweled royal crown on a purple cushion.
The coffin traveled from Buckingham Palace where it had remained overnight after being transported to England from Scotland. Big Ben also tolled as Britain paid tribute to the monarch.
In Photos: Solemn Procession of Queen Elizabeth's Coffin to Westminster Hall
At Westminster Hall, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle, read prayers at the service. Those in attendance for the historic event included the Princess of Wales, Catherine, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and the queen consort, Camilla. Bells rang following the service.
The queen will lie in state for four days in the 11th-century Westminster Hall. The hall will be open 23 hours a day for visitors and be guarded by soldiers from the royal household. Massive crowds are expected.
Elizabeth died September 8 at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands, a place she cherished and where Charles became king. She was 96 years old and had reigned for 70 years. Many Britons celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year.
The queen’s funeral is scheduled for September 19 at Westminster Abbey with numerous world leaders expected to attend. The coffin will then be taken to Windsor for the committal service, where the queen’s husband, Prince Philip, was laid to rest in April 2021.
Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
