Our longest-reigning monarch will have his first state funeral for more than half a century at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September. As well as being the first by Winston Churchill in 1965, it will also be the first at the abbey for any monarch since the return of George II in 1760. Since then, such funerals have been held at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. But the Queen, who played an active role in planning her eventual removal, decided that hers should be in the much larger abbey. Our longest-reigning monarch will have his first state funeral for more than half a century at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19. The Queen is pictured on June 2, 1953 smiling after her coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London It can accommodate a congregation of 2,000, compared to 800 at St George’s Chapel, and its central London location makes it a better venue for large crowds. The abbey is of great importance to the Queen because it was where she was crowned and married. The Queen Mother’s funeral was also held there in 2002. The date has yet to be confirmed and funeral details have yet to be announced. Yesterday it was not yet clear whether there would be a holiday. But it is known that planning for the funeral began as early as the 1960s. It is expected that after lying in state in Westminster Hall for five days, the Queen’s coffin will be carried by a bearer to a carriage outside. She will be buried in the King George VI Memorial, an annexe to the main chapel, where George VI’s mother and father were buried, along with the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret. Pictured is the Queen’s father George VI lying in state at Windsor The original plans are for the coffin to be pulled to the abbey in the gun carriage by naval sailors – sailors – using ropes rather than horses. Senior members of the family are expected to follow behind – as they did for the funerals of Princess Diana and the Duke of Edinburgh. The military will also participate in the march. Heads of state, prime ministers and presidents, European royalty and key figures in public life will be invited to gather at the abbey. A notable absence will be Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader paid tribute to the queen after her death, but the Kremlin confirmed he would not attend her funeral. The service will be televised, while a two-minute national silence is expected to be observed. The Queen’s coffin will then be taken to St George’s Chapel, the burial place of monarchs since the 19th century. She will be buried in the King George VI Memorial, an annexe to the main chapel, where George VI’s mother and father were buried, along with the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret. Mourners are expected to queue for hours and overnight to pay their respects to the Queen as she lies in state at Westminster Hall, which is expected to take place from Wednesday. Former head of rights protection, Dai Davies, said yesterday that Scotland Yard’s new commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, “will have to consider the risk that the funeral will attract a dedicated person, terrorists or those who simply don’t like King Charles C and they want to create problems. ‘ Pictured are Charles and Camilla greeting crowds outside Buckingham Palace yesterday With large crowds likely to continue to gather at Buckingham Palace to pay their respects, around 10,000 police could be on duty each day in London ahead of the funeral. The Met will also need help from specialist officers from forces across the UK.
Grenadiers flying from Iraq to take part
Senior Guardsmen will fly home from Iraq to take part in the death ceremonies for Her Majesty The Queen. Soldiers of Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadiers, guard British diplomats in Baghdad. They will be brought back to Britain in recognition of the seniority of the Queen’s Company and its relationship with Queen Elizabeth II. The company of 80 guards was named after her and she was its honorary leader. That’s how it will stay for now. The Queen’s company includes some of the tallest soldiers in the Household Division – every guard must be at least six feet. The Daily Mail understands that soldiers from the Queen’s Company are likely to be chosen to carry Her Majesty’s coffin. Former head of protection Dai Davies said yesterday it would be a “major test” for Scotland Yard’s new commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who starts the job on Monday. Mr Davies said: “The Met are world leaders in security ceremonies such as the London 2012 Olympics and royal weddings, but this is a challenge unlike any other. It will be a huge operation that will cost millions. “He will have to consider the risk that the funeral could attract a dedicated individual, terrorists or those who simply don’t like King Charles III and want to cause trouble.” The former Met department commander added: “It’s not just the Met that will be involved. Special units from the SAS will also be coming. It will be an extremely complex undertaking. They need to work with the intelligence agencies to assess the risk of who is coming.’ Former Met chief Bob Broadhurst, who led the policing operation for the 2012 London Olympics, said all licenses and training were likely to be cancelled. Mr Broadhurst added: “Unfortunately large numbers of people also bring opportunities for crime, so you have to manage crime. You have to deal with the basics like lost children, all the other things that go with it. “Clearly terrorism will be a factor, security is a big issue from the start. “By the end of the week you will start clicking on what will almost certainly be the biggest security operation the country has seen. “Almost every nation on earth will want to send its king, queen, prime minister or president.” A period of royal mourning will be observed for up to seven days after the Queen’s funeral.
