After a state funeral attended by several world leaders and a historically significant final ceremonial procession through crowded London streets, Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest on Monday. Large crowds gathered in London to witness the leisurely transfer of the queen’s flag-draped coffin from Westminster Hall, where it had been lying in state since Wednesday, to a gun carriage. The casket was topped with the Imperial State Crown, her orb, and sceptre. The gun carriage, which has been used at every state funeral since Queen Victoria’s in 1901, was then dragged to Westminster Abbey by 142 junior enlisted sailors in the Royal Navy to the accompaniment of pipes and drums.
On Sunday, the day before Queen Elizabeth’s royal funeral, President Droupadi Murmu met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. On Monday, the funeral will be held in Westminster Abbey.
On September 18, King Charles III and President Droupadi Murmu met at Buckingham Palace in advance of the state burial for Queen Elizabeth, which will take place at Westminster Abbey today.
On Saturday, September 17, President Droupadi Murmu flew into London in order to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s burial and express condolences on behalf of the Indian government.
Today, the world will bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, who has ruled for the longest (September 19). The Queen, who served as the Commonwealth of Nations’ and the former head of state of the United Kingdom, passed away on September 8 at the age of 96.
Numerous international leaders, members of the royal family, and other dignitaries will attend the funeral. Hundreds of millions of people around the world will be watching the state burial, which will also include foreign royals and world leaders.
Other world leaders who will attend the funeral include Vice President of China Wang Qishan, President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, President of France Emmanuel Macron, President of Italy Sergio Mattarella, and Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg.
Prasanta Patnaik