The United Kingdom and the world bade farewell to Queen Elizabeth II on Monday with a state funeral that drew presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers — and crowds in the streets of London and at Windsor Castle — to honor a monarch whose 70-year reign defined an age. In a country known for pomp and pageantry, the first state funeral since Winston Churchill’s was filled with spectacle: Ahead of the service, a bell tolled 96 times — once a minute for each year of Elizabeth's life. Then, 142 Royal Navy sailors used ropes to draw the gun carriage carrying her flag-draped coffin to Westminster Abbey before pallbearers bore it inside the church, where around 2,000 people ranging from world leaders to health care workers gathered to mourn her.The trappings of state and monarchy abounded: The coffin was draped with the Royal Standard and atop it sat the Imperial State Crown, sparkling with almost 3,000 diamonds, and the sovereign’s orb and scepter.But the personal was also present: The coffin was followed into the church by generations of Elizabeth’s descendants, including King Charles III, heir to the throne Prince William and 9-year-old George, who is second in line. On a wreath atop the coffin, a handwritten note read, "In loving and devoted memory," and was signed Charles R — for Rex, or king."Here, where Queen Elizabeth was married and crowned, we gather from across the nation, from the Commonwealth, and from the nations of the world, to mourn our loss, to remember her long life of selfless service, and in sure confidence to commit her to the mercy of God our maker and redeemer," the dean of the medieval abbey, David Hoyle, told the mourners, as the funeral opened.The service ended with two minutes of silence observed across the United Kingdom, after which the attendees sang the national anthem, now titled “God Save the King.”The day began early when the doors of Parliament's 900-year-old Westminster Hall were closed to mourners after hundreds of thousands had filed in front of her coffin.Video: Queen Elizabeth's coffin arrives at Westminster Abbey Monday was declared a public holiday in honor of Elizabeth, who died Sept. 8 — and hundreds of thousands of people descended on central London to partake in the historic moment. They jammed the sidewalks to watch the coffin wend its way through the streets of the capital after the service. As the procession passed Buckingham Palace, the queen's official residence in the city, staff stood outside, some bowing and curtseying.Mark Elliott, a 53-year-old who traveled to London from the Lake District in northern England with his wife and two children to watch the procession, got up at 1:30 a.m. to stake out a good viewing location near the palace."I know we don't know the queen, but she's been our head of state for 70 years, you feel as though you know her, you feel as though she’s part of the family. It is kind of moving," he said.Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said in his sermon at Westminster Abbey that “few leaders receive the outpouring of love we have seen” for the queen.More people lined the route the hearse took from the capital to Windsor Castle, and many threw flowers at the convoy as it passed, some of which rested on top of the vehicle. Millions more people tuned into the funeral live on television, and crowds flocked to parks and public spaces across the U.K. to watch it on screens. Even the Google doodle turned a respectful black for the day. As the coffin arrived at the castle, there were poignant reminders of her love of animals: A groom stood at the roadside with one of her ponies, Emma, and another member of staff held the leashes of two of her beloved corgis, Sandy and Muick.During the committal ceremony in St. George’s Chapel on the castle grounds, Dean of Windsor David Conner praised Elizabeth for her “life of unstinting service” to the nation but also her “kindness, concern and reassuring care for her family and friends and neighbors.”Then the crown and the orb and scepter were removed from atop the coffin and placed on the altar — separating them from the queen for the last time. Her coffin was lowered into the royal vault through an opening in the chapel's floor. Charles looked weary and emotional as mourners sang the national anthem.At a private family service, the queen was later laid to rest with her husband, Prince Philip. The mourners at Westminster Abbey included U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, all of the living former British prime ministers and European royalty. President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden arrive for Queen Elizabeth II's funeralIn Japan, whose Emperor Naruhito also attended, several people sipped beer and watched the service at The Aldgate British pub in Tokyo’s fashionable Shibuya district."The queen had an especially long history in a country that boasts a long history, and so she deserves deep respect," said dentist Tomotaka Hosokawa.The global outpouring of sympathy touched the king, who on the eve of the funeral, issued a message of thanks to people in the U.K. and around the world, saying he and his wife, Camilla, the queen consort, have been “moved beyond measure” by the large numbers of people who have turned out to pay their respects. Video: Queen Elizabeth coffin passes Buckingham Palace for the final timeJilly Fitzgerald, who was in Windsor, said there was a sense of community among the mourners as they prepared to wait hours to see the procession carrying the queen's coffin."It's good to be with all the people who are all feeling the same. It's like a big family because everyone feels that … the queen was part of their family," she said.
LONDON, England — The United Kingdom and the world bade farewell to Queen Elizabeth II on Monday with a state funeral that drew presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers — and crowds in the streets of London and at Windsor Castle — to honor a monarch whose 70-year reign defined an age.
In a country known for pomp and pageantry, the first state funeral since Winston Churchill’s was filled with spectacle: Ahead of the service, a bell tolled 96 times — once a minute for each year of Elizabeth's life. Then, 142 Royal Navy sailors used ropes to draw the gun carriage carrying her flag-draped coffin to Westminster Abbey before pallbearers bore it inside the church, where around 2,000 people ranging from world leaders to health care workers gathered to mourn her.
The trappings of state and monarchy abounded: The coffin was draped with the Royal Standard and atop it sat the Imperial State Crown, sparkling with almost 3,000 diamonds, and the sovereign’s orb and scepter.
Tristan Fewings / Getty Images
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried into Westminster Abbey.
But the personal was also present: The coffin was followed into the church by generations of Elizabeth’s descendants, including King Charles III, heir to the throne Prince William and 9-year-old George, who is second in line. On a wreath atop the coffin, a handwritten note read, "In loving and devoted memory," and was signed Charles R — for Rex, or king.
"Here, where Queen Elizabeth was married and crowned, we gather from across the nation, from the Commonwealth, and from the nations of the world, to mourn our loss, to remember her long life of selfless service, and in sure confidence to commit her to the mercy of God our maker and redeemer," the dean of the medieval abbey, David Hoyle, told the mourners, as the funeral opened.
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The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried by the Bearer Party into Westminster Abbey during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 19, 2022 in London, England.
PHOTO: GARETH CATTERMOLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, is carried inside Westminster Abbey in London on Sept. 19, 2022, ahead of the State Funeral Service.
PHOTO: Ben Stansall / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
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King Charles III and Britain's Anne, Princess Royal, attend the state funeral and burial of Queen Elizabeth, at Parliament Square in London, Britain, Sept. 19, 2022.
PHOTO: SARAH MEYSSONNIER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales travels down The Mall in London on Sept. 19, 2022, ahead of the State Funeral Service of Queen Elizabeth II.
PHOTO: SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images
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The fanfare team of the household division bands wait for arrivals at the State Funeral Service for Queen Elizabeth II, at Westminster Abbey in London on Sept. 19, 2022.
PHOTO: Ben Stansall / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
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Prince William, Prince of Wales (L) and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive at Westminster Abbey in London on Sept. 19, 2022, for the State Funeral Service for Queen Elizabeth II.
PHOTO: MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images
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The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried into Westminster Abbey on Sept. 19, 2022, in London, England.
PHOTO: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
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The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top, borne on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy proceeds towards Westminster Abbey on Sept. 19, 2022, in London, England.
PHOTO: Chris Jackson / Getty Images
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U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden take their seats inside Westminster Abbey in London on Sept. 19, 2022, for the State Funeral Service for Queen Elizabeth II.
PHOTO: Gareth Fuller / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
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The Gentlemen at Arms arrive at Westminster Abbey in London on Sept. 19, 2022, for the State Funeral Service for Queen Elizabeth II.
PHOTO: Frank Augstein / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
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Prince William, Prince of Wales (C) attends with Catherine, Princess of Wales (R) and Sophie, Countess of Wessex the State Funeral Service for Queen Elizabeth II, at Westminster Abbey in London on Sept. 19, 2022.
PHOTO: Ben Stansall / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
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Princess Charlotte of Wales attends the State Funeral Service for Queen Elizabeth II, at Westminster Abbey in London on Sept. 19, 2022.
PHOTO: Ben Stansall / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
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British Prime Minister Liz Truss speaks in Westminster Abbey during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 19, 2022, in London, England.
PHOTO: Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty Images
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The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top surrounded by members of the Royal Navy is carried into Westminster Abbey on Sept. 19, 2022, in London, England.
PHOTO: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Sophie, Countess of Wessex during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.
PHOTO: Karwai Tang
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The Royal State Hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Windsor Castle for the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II.
PHOTO: Leon Neal
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Mourners watch the State Hearse of Queen Elizabeth II as it drives along the Long Walk ahead of the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II.
PHOTO: Richard Heathcote
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Pall bearers carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top to St. George's Chapel.
PHOTO: Jeff J Mitchell
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Pall bearers carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into St. George's Chapel.
PHOTO: Jeff J Mitchell
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Camilla, Queen Consort, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales arrive at Windsor Castle for The Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II.
PHOTO: Ryan Pierse
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Prince William, Prince of Wales, King Charles III, David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, King Charles III and Anne, Princess Royal walk behind the State Hearse ahead of the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle.
PHOTO: Leon Neal
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The Queen's corgis, Muick and Sandy, wait to say their final goodbye as Queen Elizabeth II makes her final trip home to Windsor Castle.
PHOTO: GLYN KIRK
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Flowers on the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the Committal Service in St George's Chapel.
PHOTO: WPA Pool
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The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried by Pall bearers from the Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards during the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
PHOTO: WPA Pool
The service ended with two minutes of silence observed across the United Kingdom, after which the attendees sang the national anthem, now titled “God Save the King.”
The day began early when the doors of Parliament's 900-year-old Westminster Hall were closed to mourners after hundreds of thousands had filed in front of her coffin.
Video: Queen Elizabeth's coffin arrives at Westminster Abbey
Monday was declared a public holiday in honor of Elizabeth, who died Sept. 8 — and hundreds of thousands of people descended on central London to partake in the historic moment. They jammed the sidewalks to watch the coffin wend its way through the streets of the capital after the service. As the procession passed Buckingham Palace, the queen's official residence in the city, staff stood outside, some bowing and curtseying.
Mark Elliott, a 53-year-old who traveled to London from the Lake District in northern England with his wife and two children to watch the procession, got up at 1:30 a.m. to stake out a good viewing location near the palace.
"I know we don't know the queen, but she's been our head of state for 70 years, you feel as though you know her, you feel as though she’s part of the family. It is kind of moving," he said.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said in his sermon at Westminster Abbey that “few leaders receive the outpouring of love we have seen” for the queen.
More people lined the route the hearse took from the capital to Windsor Castle, and many threw flowers at the convoy as it passed, some of which rested on top of the vehicle. Millions more people tuned into the funeral live on television, and crowds flocked to parks and public spaces across the U.K. to watch it on screens. Even the Google doodle turned a respectful black for the day.
As the coffin arrived at the castle, there were poignant reminders of her love of animals: A groom stood at the roadside with one of her ponies, Emma, and another member of staff held the leashes of two of her beloved corgis, Sandy and Muick.
During the committal ceremony in St. George’s Chapel on the castle grounds, Dean of Windsor David Conner praised Elizabeth for her “life of unstinting service” to the nation but also her “kindness, concern and reassuring care for her family and friends and neighbors.”
Then the crown and the orb and scepter were removed from atop the coffin and placed on the altar — separating them from the queen for the last time. Her coffin was lowered into the royal vault through an opening in the chapel's floor. Charles looked weary and emotional as mourners sang the national anthem.
At a private family service, the queen was later laid to rest with her husband, Prince Philip.
The mourners at Westminster Abbey included U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, all of the living former British prime ministers and European royalty.
President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden arrive for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral
In Japan, whose Emperor Naruhito also attended, several people sipped beer and watched the service at The Aldgate British pub in Tokyo’s fashionable Shibuya district.
"The queen had an especially long history in a country that boasts a long history, and so she deserves deep respect," said dentist Tomotaka Hosokawa.
The global outpouring of sympathy touched the king, who on the eve of the funeral, issued a message of thanks to people in the U.K. and around the world, saying he and his wife, Camilla, the queen consort, have been “moved beyond measure” by the large numbers of people who have turned out to pay their respects.
Video: Queen Elizabeth coffin passes Buckingham Palace for the final time
Jilly Fitzgerald, who was in Windsor, said there was a sense of community among the mourners as they prepared to wait hours to see the procession carrying the queen's coffin.
"It's good to be with all the people who are all feeling the same. It's like a big family because everyone feels that … the queen was part of their family," she said.