Tens of millions of people around the world are expected to watch as the Queen's funeral takes place on Monday. Here is our guide to what is happening on the day, from the service and the procession, to the music and burial - and how the rehearsals have secretly taken place.
It will be a day of emotion and sadness, but also a celebration of the monarch's life and 70-year reign, and thousands are expected to line the streets in London and Windsor to pay their respects as she makes her final journey.Millions more will be watching at home in the UK and around the world as the funeral is televised in what could become the most watched broadcast in history.
Breaking centuries of tradition, this is the first funeral service for a monarch to take place at Westminster Abbey since the ceremony for King George II in 1760, as they were later held at Windsor. However, the funerals for both Princess Diana and the Queen Mother took place here in 1997 and 2002 respectively.
The coffin is draped with the Royal Standard, on which lie the Instruments of State, the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre. These will remain for the duration of the event. Following the coffin will be the King, members of the Royal Family, and members of the King's household.Following the funeral, the Queen's coffin will travel in procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch, also known as Constitution Arch, which was built as an original entrance to Buckingham Palace and sits between the corners of Hyde Park and Green Park.
Reports on why Margaret was cremated differ - some say she opted for this as she felt a burial was"too gloomy", others say her decision was influenced by the fact there was not much room left for typical burials. He headed the Queen's working household and it is his job to ensure the smooth running of all the different departments.
The gun carriage will then set off at 10.44am, with the route to the abbey lined by members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Towards the end of the ceremony, at about 11.55am, the Last Post will sound, followed by a two-minute silence to be observed in the Abbey and throughout the UK. The Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Sussex and the Countess of Wessex will follow by car.There will be a procession led by a dismounted attachment of the Household Cavalry, with pipers and drums and a band from the Coldstream Guards. Members of the Queen's personal staff will follow.The procession will halt at the West Steps of St George's Chapel, and the coffin will be carried inside.
Towed by almost 100 naval personnel and bearing a black coffin, the State Gun Carriage travelled from Westminster Hall, on to Westminster Abbey, and then through central London.Stand-in coffin used for funeral rehearsals
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