Inside the day-by-day guide as countdown begins to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
THE nation will come together to mourn Queen Elizabeth II during a minute’s silence on Sunday.
Millions are expected to take to their doorsteps at 8pm to pay tribute to Her Majesty, who died peacefully last Thursday, aged 96.
The minute’s silence will take place the night before the state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, which King Charles has declared a Bank Holiday.
Here, Grace Macaskill gives a day-by-day guide to the major ceremonial events taking place ahead of the funeral.
It comes as…
- The King pledged to follow his mother’s selfless duty in an emotional address at Westminster Hall
- Charles and Camilla jet off to Edinburgh for an emotional procession following the Queen’s coffin
- It’s revealed Prince Andrew ‘will have central role’ at the Queen’s funeral – despite stepping back from royal duties
- But the Duke of York is banned from wearing military uniform at the service
- Prince Harry thanks his beloved ‘granny’ the Queen in heartfelt tribute before referencing his ‘darling wife’ Meghan
- Brits will hold a minute’s silence on Sunday night to honour the late Queen Elizabeth
READ MORE ON THE QUEEN'S DEATH
TODAY: SEPTEMBER 13
THIS afternoon the Queen’s coffin will be moved from St Giles’ Cathedral to Edinburgh Airport by road, and members of the public will be able to view the cortege.
It will be taken by Royal Air Force aircraft to RAF Northolt, in North West London, and is expected to arrive at 7pm.
From there it will be taken to Buckingham Palace to rest in the Bow Room.
The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, will accompany the Queen on the journey.
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Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will visit Belfast to meet the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, and other party leaders.
They will attend St Anne’s Cathedral for a service of prayer before returning to London to meet the Queen’s coffin at Buckingham Palace.
TODAY: SEPTEMBER 14
AT EXACTLY 2.22pm the coffin will leave Buckingham Palace. King Charles and members of the Royal Family will lead the procession behind the gun carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery as it carries the coffin to Westminster Hall.
Crowds will be able to watch as it makes the 38-minute journey along Queen’s Gardens, The Mall, Horse Guards and Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square and New Palace Yard.
Ceremonial viewing areas are being set up along the route, including both sides of The Mall and on the Horse Guards Parade ground, but the public are advised not to turn up until 11am.
If the zones are full, people will be directed to Hyde Park where they can watch proceedings on a large screen. Screening sites will have toilet access.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will conduct a short service assisted by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster.
From 5pm Westminster Hall will be open to the public to pay their respects as the Queen lies in state.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18
THE nation will come together to “mourn and reflect on the life and legacy of the Queen” with a minute’s silence at 8pm.
People will mark the occasion in their own homes, on the street with neighbours or at local vigils. And those living abroad are urged to join in too.
A minute of silence was held for the late Prince Philip’s funeral last year.
The spokesman for Prime Minister Liz Truss said yesterday: “We encourage local community groups, clubs and other organisations to mark this moment of reflection. And if you are overseas, people are encouraged to mark the silence at their local time.”
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19: STATE FUNERAL
THE Queen’s state funeral will take place at 11am at Westminster Abbey.
King Charles and other senior royals will follow the coffin from Westminster Hall as thousands of people line the streets to bid a final farewell to Her Majesty.
Around 2,000 guests will attend the hour-long televised service, including Prime Minister Liz Truss and US President Joe Biden.
The coffin will travel in procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. From there it will travel to St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle for a committal service.
Major retail chains including Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and John Lewis are expected to close their larger stores as a mark of respect.
A spokesman for The British Retail Consortium said: “Retailers are taking their lead from Government and are choosing to mark the Queen’s passing in ways they deem appropriate for staff and customers.”
At midday there will be two minutes of silence across the nation and the London Stock Exchange will close, meaning no UK shares will be traded.
WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE QUEEN LYING IN STATE
THE Queen’s coffin will lie in state at Westminster Hall from 5pm tomorrow until 6.30am on Monday, the day of the funeral.
The hall will remain open for 24 hours a day.
It is predicted more than a million mourners will queue to pay their respects, with Whitehall chiefs warning people could be waiting for up to 18 hours.
The route, which will snake along the Thames, will be lined with extra portable toilets and water stations. The public will pass through airport-style security and only small bags are permitted.
Filming and photography in Westminster Hall will be strictly prohibited. More details about the arrangements will be made available on the gov.uk website tonight at 10pm.
The last person to lie in state was the Queen Mother, who died on March 30, 2002. An estimated 200,000 people paid their respects.
KING GEORGE VI MEMORIAL CHAPEL
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THE Queen will be laid to rest in King George VI Memorial Chapel, alongside her sister, Margaret, their father King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
Prince Philip, who died in April 2021, will be moved from the Royal Vault to lie beside his wife.