2000 Guests at Westminster Abbey: Funeral Service in Honor of the “Selfless” Queen

2000 guests at Westminster Abbey
Funeral service pays tribute to the ‘selfless’ queen

19/09/2022, 12:45 pm

It is an “event of the century”. This opinion is not only shared by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Hundreds of heads of state, government, monarchs and other dignitaries from around the world bid the Queen farewell at Westminster Abbey in London. The Queen’s “selfless service” is honored.

The world is looking forward to London as emperors, kings and presidents bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II with the royal family at Westminster Abbey.

The Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle, who presided over the funeral service, praised the Queen’s “selfless service”. “Here, where Queen Elizabeth was married and crowned, we have gathered from all over the country and the Commonwealth and every country in the world to mourn our loss and to commemorate her long, selfless service,” he said.

The coffin of the deceased monarch had previously been carried in a solemn procession from Parliament to the church in a solemn procession, accompanied by important members of the royal family, and placed there in front of the high altar. About 2,000 mourners gathered at Westminster Abbey, including hundreds of heads of state and government, monarchs and other dignitaries from around the world.

Andrew and Harry in civilian clothes

The state funeral is not only an event of the century for Great Britain. King Charles III entered behind the decorated coffin. the church at 12 noon German time sharp. Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward and the Queen’s grandchildren, Prince William and Prince Harry, were also part of the funeral procession. Unlike the other relatives, Andrew and Harry did not appear in uniform, as expected, but in civilian clothes.

Previously, the church bell tolled once a minute for 96 minutes. This was to commemorate each year of the life of the Queen who died a week and a half ago. Among the guests are US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Japanese Emperor Naruhito with their respective partners. The ex-prime ministers who are still alive and incumbent British Prime Minister Liz Truss will also participate in the ceremony.

Sweden’s King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia and Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia paid their respects at the coffin.

Also huge crowds

The sympathy was also enormous on the street. There were no more seats along the route where the coffin was to be transported from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch after the service. “There is no entry for newcomers,” it said in the morning before the service at Westminster Abbey.

The coffin will be taken to Windsor Castle in the afternoon. The funeral will then take place there in the evening in family circle. Hundreds of people flocked there by noon.

The coffin had been lying in state near the abbey in Westminster Hall since Wednesday. Since then, up to 750,000 people have queued for miles and waited many hours to pay their respects.

London in state of emergency

The state funeral is also a huge challenge for the authorities: the police, secret services and counter-terrorism units are coordinating what is probably the largest security operation the city has ever witnessed. Meanwhile, the country has come to a standstill – schools and universities, as well as shops and pubs are closed almost everywhere.

The event also had a huge impact on many people’s travel plans. More than 100 flights were canceled at London’s major Heathrow airport. The flight paths lead through central London or Windsor Castle, where the Queen’s funeral is scheduled for the evening.

The airport said they wanted to ensure silence during the ceremony. For those unable to travel to London or Windsor on Monday, the funeral service will be broadcast in 125 cinemas and many churches across the country. Screens were also set up in public places. For example, in Northern Ireland, the event must be screened in parks and public buildings.

The Queen died on September 8 at the age of 96. The BBC quoted a foreign diplomat as saying: “This is the funeral of the century.” Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also spoke of an “event of the century”.