The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II: Everything we know so far
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place on 19 September 2022
As the nation and the Commonwealth continues to mourn the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, plans are being put in place for Her Majesty’s state funeral in London. Following the Queen’s lying in state at Westminster Hall, which allows a procession of public well-wishers to file past Her Majesty’s coffin 24 hours a day from 14 September for until the morning of 19 September, Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place in central London, with a large procession following immediately after.
Here’s everything we know so far about the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
When is the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II?
The funeral will be held next Monday, 19 September 2022, at 11 am. This date is in keeping with Royal protocol, which dictates the monarch’s funeral should be held 10 days after their death.
Will the Queen’s funeral be a Bank Holiday?
Yes. On Saturday 10 September, in one of his first acts as monarch, King Charles III declared a Bank Holiday for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for Monday 19 September, allowing the public to pay their respects on the day of Her Majesty’s funeral.
Where will the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II be held?
In a break from tradition, Her Majesty had chosen Westminster Abbey for her state funeral, making her the first monarch to have their funeral held at Westminster Abbey – as opposed to St George’s Chapel in Windsor – since King George II in 1760.
What will happen at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II?
The Queen will lay in state at Westminster Hall – a tradition which allows the public to pay their respects to the Queen in person – from Wednesday 14 September until 6.30 am on the morning of the funeral. The funeral will begin with a procession – followed on foot by senior members of the Royal Family – of the Queen’s coffin to Westminster Abbey. Here, the ceremony will be led by members of the Church of England, including the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Following the funeral ceremony, the coffin will travel through London – most likely followed again by a procession of senior Royals – along the Mall to Hyde Park Corner, before being taken to Windsor, where Her Majesty will be laid to rest alongside the late Duke of Edinburgh in the King George VI Memorial Chapel.
Who is going to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II?
All senior members of the Royal Family are expected to attend, including King Charles III and Queen Consort, Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the rest of Her Majesty’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Roughly 2,000 guests have been invited to attend Her Majesty’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey, including international Heads of State, who will fly in for the event. Each invitee has been allowed only one extra guest to avoid overcrowding. US President Joe Biden is expected to attend, as are Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Can I go to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II?
No – the official ceremony is closed to the public. However, it will be broadcast on all major television channels and on screens across the capital, with a national two-minute silence held.
Those wishing to see the final procession following the funeral can head to the Mall and Buckingham Palace to join the crowds paying their respects. These crowds are expected to spread throughout the city, from Westminster to Hyde Park, with many arriving early on the day of the funeral, or even the night before, to get a good spot.
