5 Things to Expect at Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral
After her passing on September 8, Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will bid farewell to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Learn in advance what to anticipate on Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey during the official burial service for the queen.
Be prepared for heavy traffic outside Westminster Abbey
Even though just over 2,000 guests are expected at the queen’s burial, it’s believed that a large crowd will assemble outside. Nick Aldworth, a former U.K. national coordinator for counterterrorism, compared it to Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997 and said it might be the best indicator of what’s to come in an interview with NPR.
On September 16, when it reached capacity, the line to see Queen Elizabeth laying in the state was momentarily closed. The Department for Digital, Media, Culture, and Sport said in a statement that entrance will be “paused” for a minimum of six hours, according to Newsweek.
Attendees should plan on arriving at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in groups.
It seems improbable that heads of state, dignitaries, and famous people will show up one at a time outside Westminster Abbey. According to reports, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office of the U.K., which is organizing the queen’s burial, has provided detailed guidelines on the procedure.
urging dignitaries specifically to avoid driving their vehicles to the funeral. Instead, visitors will arrive by bus in groups from West London. Additionally, the agency reportedly requested that foreign heads of state take commercial flights because private helicopter use during the ceremonies is prohibited.
Watch for royals wearing veils of mourning
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, among other royals, are anticipated to attend the queen’s burial wearing mourning veils. It has long been a tradition, according to royal historian Jessica Storoschuk of An Historian About Town.
According to her, the history of mourning veils may be traced back to monastic garb, which stretches back several centuries. Veils, which were thought to resemble armor, “shielded their anguish from the public.”
Today’s mourning garments, according to Storoschuk, are “typically shorter and composed of transparent materials.” The Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sussex will likely wear veils akin to those they wore to the queen’s lying in state, so be prepared for that.
In addition, several pearls could be expected as a tribute to the queen’s frequent use of jewels.
After Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, there will be a two-minute period of silence nationwide.
The moment there is silence at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, the service is about to end. A two-minute nationwide moment of silence will be conducted soon before the service concludes, palace officials said, according to CNN.
Around 11:55 a.m. local time, or just before 7 a.m. ET is when it’s anticipated to happen.
The national anthem is anticipated to conclude Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
At noon (7 a.m. ET), Queen Elizabeth’s Piper will conclude the service by playing the national anthem after a moment of silence across the country. Both a Lament and a Reveille are expected to be played.
The monarch’s last resting place, St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, will then be reached by the lead-lined coffin of Queen Elizabeth.