Queen Elizabeth II laid to rest following moving funeral and procession

Queen Elizabeth’s coffin has been interred at St George’s Chapel following her funeral and procession through London.

The monarch has been lowered into the Royal Vault in the chapel on the Windsor Estate, where a private burial will take place.

During the committal service, the Dean of Windsor received the Instruments of State - the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre which had been placed on top of the coffin - from the Queen’s Bargemaster and a Serjeant of Arms.

At the end of the service's final hymn, 'Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation', King Charles stepped forward to place The Queen's Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on top of his mother's coffin and the Lord Chamberlain broke his wand of office and placed it on top.

The Dean recited Psalm 103.

He said: “Like as a father pitieth his own children: even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him. For he knoweth whereof we are made: he remembereth that we are but dust. The days of man are but as grass: for he flourisheth as a flower of the field. For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone: and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the merciful goodness of the Lord endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear him: and his righteousness upon children’s children.

“Go forth upon thy journey from this world, O Christian soul; In the name of God the Father Almighty who created thee; In the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for thee; In the name of the Holy Spirit who strengtheneth thee.

“In communion with the blessèd saints, and aided by Angels and Archangels, and all the armies of the heavenly host, may thy portion this day be in peace, and thy dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem. Amen.”

The Garter King of Arms then proclaimed the styles and titles of the queen as her coffin was lowered.

He said: “Thus it hath pleased Almighty God to take out of this transitory life unto His Divine Mercy the late Most High, Most Mighty, and Most Excellent Monarch, Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, and Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.”

The Queen’s Piper then played a lament and the service ended with a blessing from the Archbishop of Canterbury before the National Anthem was played.

He said: "Go forth into the world in peace; Be of good courage, hold fast that which is good, render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted, support the weak, help the afflicted, honour all people, love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always. Amen.”

Earlier, Queen Elizabeth's funeral began with the singing of the choir as the late monarch's coffin was brought into Westminster Abbey.

The body of the UK's longest-reigning sovereign - who died aged 96 on 8 September - has been lying in state in Westminster Hall since last Wednesday and was taken to Westminster Abbey for her funeral service shortly after on a gun carriage towed by 142 sailors from the Royal Navy.

The congregation stood as the funeral service started with the singing of the choir and the coffin was brought into the Abbey followed by the Queen's four children, King Charles, Princess Anne, and Princes Charles and Edward, and her grandsons William, Prince of Wales, Harry, Duke of Sussex walking behind.

The choir sang The Sentences which included the words: "Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy merciful ears unto our prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee. Amen."

The bidding was then given by Dr David Hoyle MBE, Dean of Westminster.

He told the congregation: "In grief and also in profound thanksgiving we come to this House of God, to a place of prayer, to a church where remembrance and hope are sacred duties. 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.

He went on: "With gratitude we remember her unswerving commitment to a high calling over so many years as Queen and Head of the Commonwealth.

With admiration we recall her life-long sense of duty and dedication to her people. With thanksgiving we praise God for her constant example of Christian faith and devotion. With affection we recall her love for her family and her commitment to the causes she held dear. Now, in silence, let us in our hearts and minds recall our many reasons for thanksgiving, pray for all members of her family, and commend Queen Elizabeth to the care and keeping of almighty God."

A number of royals were already at Westminster Abbey, including Queen Consort Camilla, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

The Queen Consort and Princess of Wales were accompanied by William and Catherine's eldest children, nine-year-old Prince George and seven-year-old Princess Charlotte.

Queen Elizabeth's funeral came to an end with a poignant performance of 'The Last Post' and a rendition of the 'National Anthem'.

The congregation of 2000 then sang the 'National Anthem' using the words 'God Save The King' in honour of the new monarch King Charles which was followed by The Queen’s Piper, Warrant Officer Class 1 (Pipe Major) Paul Burns playing 'Sleep, Dearie, Sleep'.

Around 2000 mourners gathered at the Abbey to pay their final respects to the UK's longest-reigning monarch and readings were given by UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, Baroness Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and the sermon was offered by Most Rev. and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.

Other speakers included Rev. Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and his Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster.

Guests at the service included politicians and world leaders with US President Joe Biden in attendance along with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former UK leaders Boris Johnson, Sir Tony Blair and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

After the funeral, the Queen's coffin was be taken to Windsor for a committal service at St George's Chapel followed by a private burial alongside her late husband the Duke of Edinburgh - who passed away in April 2021 aged 99.

- Bang! Showbiz