Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral, the first in the UK since Winston Churchill’s in 1965, follows a meticulously staged procedure. Here is the program, in French hours. You will be able to follow this latest tribute in its entirety on BFMTV, throughout the day.
7:30 a.m.: Casket display it ends at Westminster Hall, which is closed to the public, for transfer to neighboring Westminster Abbey.
9 a.m.: opening of the doors of Westminster Abbey.
11:35 a.m.: the coffin is carried from the catafalque, the imposing platform where it rested, to the gun carriage that will wait outside the north door of Westminster Hall.
11:44: The Royal Navy gun carriage leaves for a short procession to Westminster Abbey, towed by 142 sailors.
11:52: The coffin arrives at the West Gate of Westminster Abbey, followed on foot by the Queen’s eldest son and heir apparent, King Charles III, and other members of the Royal Family. The coffin is carried from the gun cart inside the building.
At noon, the state funeral.
12:00 pm.: The state funeral begins, conducted by the dean of Westminster, David Hoyle. The sermon will be delivered by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, spiritual leader of the Anglican Church of which the British sovereign is formal head.
12:55 (approximately): The bugle sounds, followed by two minutes of silence throughout the UK.
13:00 (approximately): the ceremony ends with the national anthem and a musical lament.
13:15: The coffin is carried from the gun carriage towards Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner, near Buckingham Palace, followed by the Royal Family and a procession, to the sound of Big Ben and cannon fire.
In the afternoon, direction Windsor
14:00 (approximately): the coffin arrives at Wellington Arch, then is placed in the royal hearse to be driven to Windsor.
16:06: The hearse arrives in Windsor and enters “The Long Walk”, an impressive straight path of more than 4 kilometers that leads to Windsor Castle.
4:40 p.m. (approximately): The King and senior members of the Royal Family join the procession on foot from the Quadrangle, Windsor Castle’s Great Court, before the procession stops at the Chapel at 4:53 p.m.
In the evening, a private ceremony.
5:00 pm.: The funeral ceremony begins in the Saint-Georges chapel in the presence of members of the royal family and the 15 prime ministers of the kingdoms who serve with the British sovereign as head of state. Some 45 minutes later, the coffin is lowered into the royal crypt.
8:30 pm.: a private burial ceremony is held at the King George VI Memorial in St. George’s Chapel. The Queen rests next to her husband, Prince Philip.
Source: BFM TV
