The Spectator

The complete guide to the Queen’s funeral

A minute-by-minute breakdown of the day's events

(Credit: Getty images)

Today, the world says farewell to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. World leaders, including US president Joe Biden, French president Emmanuel Macron, and royals from across the globe have gathered in London for the country’s first state funeral in decades. Here is how the day will unfold:

10.35 a.m.

The coffin bearers from the Queen’s Company, the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, will lift the coffin from the catafalque in Westminster Hall. 

10.44 a.m.

The Queen’s coffin will be taken via Parliament Square to Westminster Abbey. The coffin will be carried on the state gun carriage, drawn by 142 Royal Navy sailors. Detachments of the King’s Body Guards of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, the Yeomen of the Guard and the Royal Company of Archers will accompany the procession. The King and other members of the royal family will follow behind the gun carriage.

10.52 a.m.

The coffin will arrive at the west gate of the abbey, where it will be carried into the church by the bearer party.

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11 a.m.

The Dean of Westminster will conduct the service, while the Archbishop of Canterbury will deliver the sermon. Prime Minister Liz Truss will deliver a reading, while the Archbishop of York will lead the prayers for Her Majesty. Among the hymns that will be sung are The Lord’s My Shepherd and Love Divine, All Loves Excelling. At the end of the service, the Last Post will sound and the National Anthem will be sung. 

12 p.m.

The bearer party will lift the coffin from the catafalque and carry it through the west gate to the state gun carriage. 

12.15 p.m.

The King, the Prince of Wales and other members of the royal family, will walk behind the coffin as it is taken in procession to Wellington Arch. The coffin will travel through Parliament Square and along Whitehall, before passing through Horseguards’ Parade. From there, it will head along the Mall and past Buckingham Palace before it reaches its destination. Guns will be fired in Hyde Park by the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery. Big Ben will toll throughout the procession.

1.15 p.m.

The Queen’s coffin will be placed in the state hearse. As it departs for Windsor, the national anthem will be played. The King and Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales and members of the royal family will also travel to Windsor.

3.06 p.m.

The hearse will arrive at Windsor’s Long Walk. The King and other senior members of the Royal Family are expected to join the cortege in the Quadrangle in Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle’s Sebastopol bell – which only sounds upon the death of a senior member of the Royal family – will be tolled every minute. Gun salutes will be fired from the Castle’s grounds. 

3.55 p.m.

The Queen’s coffin will arrive at the west steps of St George’s Chapel. The bearer party will carry the coffin into the chapel for the committal service.

4 p.m.

The committal service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor David Conner, with a blessing from the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. The Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s orb and sceptre will be removed from the top of the coffin by the Crown Jeweller.

4.40 p.m.

Her Majesty’s coffin will disappear from public view for the final time as it is lowered into the Royal Vault.

4.45 p.m.

The King and other members of the Royal Family will leave the chapel.

7.30 p.m.

A private burial service, attended by members of the Queen’s family, will attend a brief service at the King George VI memorial chapel, located inside St George’s Chapel.

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