Schedule Leading Up to Queen's Funeral Released
Public will have an opportunity to pay their respects to the queen
The funeral service for Britian’s Queen Elizabeth II will be held in London at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19. Sunday morning, the queen began her return to London, with her coffin being transported more than 280 kilometers by hearse from Balmoral, where she died Thursday, to Edinburgh. The approximately six-hour journey is passing through the towns of Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth. In Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, people may pay their respects as her body lays in state at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Monday afternoon, the queen’s coffin will travel by procession to St. Giles’ Cathedral where people may also pay their respects. Tuesday, September 13, the queen’s only daughter, Princess Anne, will accompany the coffin from St. Giles’ to Edinburgh’s airport for Elizabeth’s final return to London’s Buckingham Palace aboard a Royal Air Force aircraft. Wednesday, September 14, Elizabeth’s body will be transported from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in a public procession. Her coffin will be carried on a gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, accompanied by a military parade and members of the royal family. In Westminster Hall, her coffin will lie on a raised platform and will be topped with the Imperial State Crown, orb and scepter. King Charles and other members of the royal family will attend a short service conducted by the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. Afterward, the hall will be opened to the public. Thursday, September 15, will be the first of the four full days the queen’s body will lie in state in Westminster Hall. Her coffin will remain there until the morning of her funeral. On Monday morning, September 19, the queen’s coffin will be taken in procession to Westminster Abbey. In addition to members of the royal family and British government, heads of state from around the world and other dignitaries will attend the queen’s state funeral. After the funeral, the queen’s coffin will travel in procession to Windsor. A graveside service will be held at Windsor Chapel before Elizabeth’s burial.