On the 19th of September, Queen Elizabeth was finally laid to rest at her state funeral. Watched worldwide and attended by some of the most powerful leaders from all over the globe, the funeral was held at Westminster Abbey following a period of mourning after the monarch’s death. It was one of the biggest and most extravagant funerals ever held in the UK, more than fitting for the country’s longest-serving monarch.
The Royal Funeral
For a funeral of this size, a lot of planning would have been required. In most circumstances, families that lose a loved one can depend on the services of a funeral director such as Fenix Funeral. However, much of the organisation for this farewell was done by the royal family themselves.
The Queen personally selected the music for the formal ceremony before her passing. The hymn “The Lord’s My Shepherd” was specifically chosen by the Queen for the occasion. She allegedly loved it, and it was played at her 1947 wedding. This wasn’t the only request she made for her funeral.
The Sovereign’s Piper of the Royal Regiment of Scotland is the Queen’s official bagpiper, and she personally requested that he play at her funeral and committal services. The piper’s job is to play the bagpipes every morning as a kind of alarm clock under the monarch’s window.
The UK’s new monarch, King Charles III, commissioned the wreath’s creation, and it was made up of flowers and greenery that came from the gardens of three different royal homes. Each plant has a unique and specific meaning. Rosemary was used as a symbol of remembrance. English oak represented the power of love and the Queen’s unwavering commitment to her country. Myrtle served as a classic representation of a successful marriage.
While many of the world’s leaders attended the funeral in person, millions more people from around the world watched from their TVs. There were 28 million viewers in the UK and close to twelve million in the US. Queen Elizabeth ruled as Queen of England for more than 70 years, a whole generation, and many are wondering what happens now she’s gone.
What’s Next for the UK?
Following the funeral, the Queen was transported in her coffin to Windsor Castle. Here, a committal service took place in St George’s Chapel, and she was buried alongside her mother, father and her sister. In addition, her husband’s coffin was moved from the royal vault to be interred with her, as were their wishes before death.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth, the crown immediately passed to her heir, Charles, the former Prince of Wales. Now, he’ll be known as King Charles III, although his official coronation is yet to take place. It’s likely that the coronation will be held next year, although no formal plans have been made as of yet.
Coronations are traditional events, though it is assumed that King Charles would like a more modest ceremony than that of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. They’ve been held at Westminster Abbey for the past 900 years of history within the UK since the coronation of William the Conqueror. While it is expected to be a scaled-down event with less pomp, King Charles III will still be covered with jewellery. The coronation ring, also known as the wedding ring of England and worn on the fourth finger of the monarch’s right hand, will be given to the new king along with St Edward’s crown.
The ring, which contains baguette-cut rubies in the shape of a cross across the face to symbolise the cross of St. George and the Scottish flag, has been worn since 1831 and is made of symbolic sapphire.
