The British capital faces an event of the century earlier this week. Before the state ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II, the leaders of the world arrive in London. On Sunday evening there should be a short silence again.
Before the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, King Charles III. received state guests from all over the world at Buckingham Palace the evening before. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who arrived on Saturday, are also expected. Over the weekend, a number of heads of state and government trundled into the British capital, including the Japanese imperial couple. Charles received Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern and other Commonwealth officials on Saturday.
“The Queue” is closing today
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8, was laid out in Westminster Hall – the oldest part of the British Parliament – and open to the public until early Monday morning. In the past few days, tens of thousands have stood in a kilometer-long queue for many hours, often overnight, to pay their queen a last visit and say goodbye. On Saturday, King Charles and Prince William paid a surprise visit to those waiting. The government is expected to close the line later Sunday to allow those waiting to walk past the coffin before the “lying-in-state,” as the laying-out is called, ends.
A national minute’s silence is scheduled for Sunday evening at 8 p.m. local time. The Brits are alone at home, but also invited together at events to pause for a minute. Before that, the BBC plans to broadcast a pre-recorded video message from the king’s consort Camilla, which Britain’s PA news agency pre-quoted.
Camilla speaks to the people
“She was always part of our lives,” Charles’ wife said. She is now 75 and can’t remember anyone else at the helm, Camilla said, acknowledging the Queen’s role as a female pioneer. “She had these beautiful blue eyes that lit up her whole face when she smiled,” Camilla said of the Queen. “I will always remember her smile. Her smile is unforgettable.”
The Queen’s eight grandchildren – including Princes William and Harry – held a 15-minute vigil on Saturday night. For once, Harry was also allowed to wear a military uniform for the occasion. Although the 38-year-old served in Afghanistan, he is now otherwise denied this due to his retirement from the royal family. However, after criticism that an exception was made for Andrew at a wake for the Queen’s children, the rules changed for Harry too.
Up to a million people come to London
Meanwhile, police, intelligence and anti-terrorist units are busy conducting one of the largest security operations the British capital has ever seen. Preparations and checks have been underway for days to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of people who will be in London on Monday. Hundreds of monarchs, heads of state and government from around the world are also expected.
The Transport for London (TfL) authority expects around one million visitors to the state funeral on Monday. Their boss Andy Byford told the PA news agency: “We are prepared for one of the busiest days Transport for London has ever seen. It’s difficult to say exactly how many additional people will travel, but we are putting the number at a potential million people in.” Employees from all parts of the organization worked to ensure that visitors could get around the city.
According to the information, around 250 additional train connections will operate on Monday – including some night trains. Planned motorway closures across England are also being suspended to minimize the risk of congestion on the transport network on Monday afternoon when visitors leave the capital.
Funeral from 11:44 a.m. Central European Time
After a service at Westminster Abbey on Monday morning, the coffin will be taken to Wellington Arch in a procession at 11:44am Central European Time. The route takes in The Mall and Buckingham Palace. The actual burial will not take place in London but in Windsor to the west, where the coffin will be taken in a hearse. The Queen is to receive her final resting place on Monday evening at a private funeral in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle – alongside her husband Prince Philip, who died last year.
Source: Stern
I am a 24-year-old writer and journalist who has been working in the news industry for the past two years. I write primarily about market news, so if you’re looking for insights into what’s going on in the stock market or economic indicators, you’ve come to the right place. I also dabble in writing articles on lifestyle trends and pop culture news.
