Queen's Funeral Archives - Lokmarg

Queen’s Funeral Ends, Two Minutes Silence Observed

By LokMarg 19th September 2022

World leaders from American President Joe Biden to French President Emmanuel Macron to India’s President Droupadi joined members of the public in observing a two-minute silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II as the funeral service ended here with the recitation of “God Save the King”, the reworded national anthem on Monday.

The coffin of the longest-serving monarch of the United Kingdom was carried at Westminster Abbey in London today with the Royal family members and top world leaders in attendance.
Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. It is the first state funeral in the UK since Winston Churchill’s in 1965.

Queen’s wreath contains foliage of rosemary, English oak and myrtle and flowers, in shades of gold, pink and deep burgundy, with touches of white, cut from the gardens of Royal residences.

“At The King’s request, the wreath contains foliage of Rosemary, English Oak and Myrtle (cut from a plant grown from Myrtle in The Queen’s wedding bouquet) and flowers, in shades of gold, pink and deep burgundy, with touches of white, cut from the gardens of Royal Residences,” the Royal Family tweeted.

The coffin of the Queen was borne in a procession to Westminster Abbey on the State Gun Carriage.

“As for her father King George VI, grandfather King George V, great-grandfather King Edward VII and great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, Her Majesty The Queen’s coffin was borne in a Procession to Westminster Abbey on the State Gun Carriage,” the Royal Family tweeted.

Numerous guests ranging from political heads of countries to distinct royal family members and dignitaries from across the world landed in the UK for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

A state funeral means that the UK government has officially declared the day of the funeral as a bank holiday. President Murmu arrived in London to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral on September 17 and offered condolences on behalf of the government of India.

On Sunday, US President Joe Biden also expressed his condolences to the royal family.

While mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth, Biden remembered Queen’s warm candour and said: “The way she touched when she leaned over. The way — she had that look like, “Are you okay? Anything I can do for you? What do you need?” And then also, “Make sure you do what you’re supposed to do,” Biden said adding that she reminded him of his mother.

Moreover, senior citizens and children are among those camping along the funeral routes, for over 48 hours in some cases, to bid a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II today.

Notably, the funeral service is conducted by the Dean of Westminster, and readings will be given by Patricia Scotland, the secretary general of the Commonwealth, and Prime Minister Liz Truss.

The sermon is delivered by Canterbury’s archbishop, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.

“Rarely has such a promise been so well kept,” he said.

The Queen was born on April 21, 1926, at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York – who later became King George VI – and Queen Elizabeth. (ANI)

Here’s A Minute To Minute Detail Of Queen’s Funeral

By LokMarg 18th September 2022

With world leaders and dignitaries flying from across the globe, and an expected crowd of over 2 million people, the Queen’s funeral will, in all likelihood, be the highest-attended event in the history of the United Kingdom.

Let’s see what will happen at the state funeral – a detailed step-by-step plan for Monday.

According to the New York Times, the funeral will begin at 11 am (London Time). According to Indian time, it will be 4:30 pm.

The Queen’s funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey and according to Buckingham palace officials, The Royal Hospital Chelsea which is a residence for retired soldiers in West London will host a gathering of heads of state and foreign royals before they leave for Westminster Abbey.

New York Times quoted some local UK media reports that claim that many world leaders are unhappy with community transportation because they heard rumours that some of them will get preferential treatment and be permitted to drive their own cars.

Currently, the Queen’s coffin is at Westminster Hall and after 6 am (London time) on September 19, the doors will close to the public. Preparations will thereafter begin for the Queen’s coffin to be moved to Westminster Abbey.

According to New York Times, the Westminster Abbey will open at 8:00 am (London time) for those who have been invited to the funeral.

New York Times also reports that the coffin will be carried in a procession from Westminster Hall to the abbey. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel will be stationed along the way. About 200 musicians, including the pipes and drums of the Scottish and Irish Regiments, will lead the procession. King Charles III and other royal family members will ride in the carriage.

The Queen’s funeral service will be conducted by the dean of Westminster, and readings will be given by Patricia Scotland, the secretary general of the Commonwealth, and Prime Minister Liz Truss. The sermon will be delivered by Canterbury’s archbishop, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.

Two minutes of silence will be observed across Britain towards the end of the ceremony. The service is expected to end around 12 pm (UK time)

After the service ends, a procession will follow the coffin to Wellington Arch in London after which it will be driven to Windsor.

New York Times also revealed that following the funeral, visiting heads of state and government representatives would attend a reception hosted by the foreign secretary.

Now, after the Queen’s coffin will reach Windsor, the hearse will join a new procession on the journey to St. George’s chapel. A committal service will be held there. All members of the queen’s staff, including those who have worked on private estates, will be in attendance.

The dean of Windsor will conduct the service there.

According to the online media portal, The Imperial State Crown, the orb, and the sceptre will be taken off the top of the coffin and placed on the altar by the crown jeweller before the last hymn is sung.

Then, the coffin will be lowered into the royal vault, a burial room underneath the chapel, following the hymn. New York Times quoted a Buckingham Palace release that read, “The Queen is to be buried together with The Duke of Edinburgh”.

The blessing will be pronounced by the archbishop of Canterbury, and “God Save the King” will then be sung.

The funeral service will be private and begin at 7:30 p.m. The dean of Windsor will be conducting it. (ANI)

President Murmu Leaves For UK To Attend Queen’s Funeral

By LokMarg 17th September 2022

President Droupadi Murmu left for London on Saturday to attend the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and offer condolences on behalf of India.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will also attend the funeral.

All heads of state visiting London for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral have been invited to attend the lying-in-state in Westminster Hall ahead of Monday’s state funeral and to sign a book of condolences at Lancaster House.

However, opening a fresh diplomatic rift with Beijing, a Chinese government delegation has been refused permission by the House of Commons authorities to attend the queen’s lying-in-state in Westminster Hall, London, Politico reported citing a senior parliamentary figure familiar with the matter.

People of the UK will relive the glorious life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II at her state funeral on Monday.

For the funeral, many guests from political heads of countries to distinct royal family members and dignitaries from across the globe will fly to the UK.

Although the official guest list hasn’t been released yet, New York Post has shared the names of a few countries that didn’t make the cut. They are – Russia, Belarus, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria and Venezuela.

According to the online publication, Russian President Vladimir Putin wished King Charles III on his accession recently, however, the country was still snubbed by the UK as they reportedly didn’t get an invite for the funeral.

It’s also interesting to note here that North Korea, Iran, and Nicaragua were sent invites however those were only sent out to their ambassadorial representatives and not the head of state.

Another news that recently made rounds was that former US President Donald Trump would also be in attendance however, the UK government, according to New York Post, has squashed the rumour saying that only the sitting US President and his wife will be attending.

New York Post further reports that 750,000 people will be present at the funeral.

More than USD 7 million (around INR 59 crores) will be shelled to beef up the security for the Queen’s funeral on September 19.

According to New York Post, protecting Queen Elizabeth’s funeral will be the most expensive single-day operation in UK history, costing over USD 7.5 million.

To secure the unprecedented number of foreign leaders, who are expected at the funeral on Monday, the British Mi5 and Mi6 intelligence agencies, London’s Metropolitan Police, and the Secret Service will work together.

“This is the biggest policing operation that the United Kingdom policing has ever undertaken,” New York Post quoted Simon Morgan, a former Royal security officer, as saying. (ANI)