In pictures: The story of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral
Here is the story of how Queen Elizabeth II's funeral unfolded on Monday.
The Queen's coffin had been in Westminster Hall, where thousands of mourners came to pay their respects since last Wednesday. The queues were many kilometres long and members of the public -- including celebrities such as football player, David Beckham -- had to wait more than 12 hours.
The Queen's coffin was taken to Westminster Abbey for the funeral service, which started at noon CEST. Among the royal attendees were King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, as well as the former's two children and their families - William and Catherine, now the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Among the guests were various members of Europe's royal families, including King Felipe VII and Queen Letizia of Spain, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, and Queen Margrethe of Denmark - who recently celebrated her 50th year on the throne.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, gave a sermon in which he extolled the Queen's service and said: "The pattern for many leaders is to be exalted in life and forgotten after death. The pattern for all who serve God – famous or obscure, respected or ignored – is that death is the door to glory."
"We will all face the merciful judgment of God: we can all share the Queen’s hope which in life and death inspired her servant leadership. Service in life, hope in death. All who follow the Queen’s example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: 'We will meet again,'" he added.
In a country known for pomp and pageantry, the first state funeral since Winston Churchill’s was filled with spectacle: Before the service, a bell tolled 96 times — once a
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