Around 2,000 mourners attended Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey, including presidents, prime ministers, and foreign royalty.
However, millions more people around the world watched the live broadcast, making the event one of the most-watched in history.
Following ten official days of national mourning, Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral was held on Monday at London’s Westminster Abbey.
The late monarch’s closest family members, as well as 500 world leaders and foreign dignitaries, were present. 2,000 people attended the farewell ceremony for Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners poured into the capital’s streets and parks, while millions watched online as Queen Elizabeth made her final journey back to Windsor Castle, where she will be buried alongside her late husband, Prince Philip.
President Biden arrives at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
President Biden, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, was the only world leader permitted to arrive in a private vehicle at the Queen’s funeral. The Bidens arrived in the United Kingdom on Saturday and rode in the presidential limousine, the “Beast,” as part of a motorcade to the funeral. Other world leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, took the bus to the funeral.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Biden was given special permission to drive himself to the event. He returned to Washington, D.C. shortly after the ceremony ended.
King Charles’s farewell message
The royal standard — a flag representing all nations in the United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales — was draped over the queen’s coffin. Colorful wreaths and a farewell note from the queen’s eldest son and heir, King Charles III, were also placed on the coffin.
“In loving and devoted memory, Charles R,” the card said. The “R” in Charles’ signature stands for rex, which is Latin for “king.”
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‘Our country has lost an old friend,’ says Nepal
British Gurkha veterans are watching the Queen’s funeral live at the UK embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Thousands of miles away from London, it’s a poignant moment for the men who have spent their entire working lives serving the Queen.
Aside from serving in the UK military’s Gurkha regiment, many also served as the Queen’s orderly officers, accompanying her to military investiture ceremonies.
“She was a wonderful Queen. May her soul find peace “Retd Major Bhim Bahadur Gurung, the Queen’s orderly in 1975, said.
Earlier in the day, prayers for Queen Elizabeth were offered at a monastery in Kathmandu. Monks chanted Buddhist mantras or verses in which they prayed for peace for the Queen and everyone associated with her. People lit candles in honour of Her Majesty. There was a minute of silence observed.
“It’s a devastating blow for us Gurkhas. But not only for Nepal. We have a great rapport with the royal family “Major Yam Bahadur Rana stated.
Seating arrangements did not favour Prince Harry and Meghan
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, sat in the second row of the funeral, while King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton sat in the front row with their children. The queen’s son Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles earlier this year due to his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was also in the first row.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sat next to Harry’s cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who retired from royal duties in 2020 and moved to California.
Despite having served the most time in the army, rising to the rank of captain and serving two tours in Afghanistan, Harry was denied the right to wear his military uniform at his funeral.
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