The nation paused earlier today to watch the late Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral on TV’s across the country – a poignant ceremony which was watched by an estimated 4.1 billion people world-wide.
Her Majesty’s state funeral, which took place earlier today (Monday, September 19), at Westminster Abbey, was attended by 2,000 guests, including world leaders and the prime ministers of Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
The service was also attended by senior religious figures, British prime ministers past and present, and several other European monarchs.
The procession that opened the service included faith representatives, lef by Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
They joined members of the Royal Family at the venue, where Her Majesty was married, and later crowned as monarch more than 70 years ago.
The service was led by Dean of Westminster David Hoyle, with readings from Britain’s new prime minister, Liz Truss, and a sermon preached by the U.K.’s most senior cleric, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
Paying tribute to Her late Majesty at the service, he said: “Few leaders receive the outpouring of love that we have seen. The grief of this day, felt not only by the late Queen’s family, but all round the nation, the Commonwealth and the world, arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone from us.
“She was joyful – present to so many, touching a multitude of lives, and we pray today especially for all her family, grieving as every family at a funeral, but in this family’s case, doing so in the brightest spotlight.
“Her Majesty famously declared on her 21st birthday broadcast, that her whole life would be dedicated to serving the nation and Commonwealth. Rarely has such a promise been so well kept,” he went on the add.
Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral comes after 10 days of mourning from the day of her death, and follows an estimated 300,000 members of the public who queued for miles to see her closed coffin lying in state.
The wait time at one stage was estimated to be more than 24 hours – with a queue stretching for seven miles.
King Charles has thanked people around the world for their “support and comfort” following his mother’s death, on September 8.
“Over the last ten days, my wife and I have been so deeply touched by the many messages of condolence we have received from this country and across the world,” he said.
“In London, Edinburgh, Hillsborough and Cardiff we were moved beyond measure by everyone who took the trouble to come and pay their respects to the lifelong service of my dear mother, the late Queen.”
The Queen will be buried with her mother, father and sister. She will be joined at the King George VI Memorial Chapel by her late husband Prince Philip whose body will be removed from the Royal Vault to be laid next to her.
It is thought that an estimated 4.1 billion people tuned in to watch Her Majesty’s funeral earlier today, making it the biggest live TV event in history.
