On Monday, the nation of Britain will say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II with a regal funeral steeped in tradition and a send-off that reflects the widespread support she was able to maintain throughout her astonishing seven-decade reign.
The sovereign’s flag-draped coffin will be transported by hearse to her final resting place in St. George’s Chapel, which is located within the grounds of Windsor Castle. Thousands of people are anticipated to throng to Westminster Abbey and streets along the 25-mile (40-kilometer) procession route from central London to Windsor in hopes of catching a glimpse of the coffin.
Although the passing of Queen Elizabeth, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, had been anticipated and meticulously planned for years—the funeral plans, code-named “Operation London Bridge,” were long the subject of rumor—the scope of this time of mourning and the public outpouring of emotion has still taken many people by surprise. Her passing signifies the end of an era and a change in the country’s landscape, even for people who are not lovers of the royal family.
At 96, the Queen was a nearly mythological figure of constancy in a world of rapid change. War and a pandemic marked the beginning and conclusion of her 70-year reign, and uncertainty about Britain’s place in the world was a defining feature.
She assumed office as the British Empire was coming to an end, and her passing has rekindled debate over the nation’s troubled history of colonialism. It happens at a time when there is a lot of political and economic turmoil, not only in the UK but all around the world.
As a tribute to her broad appeal and skilled diplomacy, presidents, prime ministers, princes, an emperor and an empress, as well as other public personalities, will sit side by side in pews at Westminster Abbey to pay their final respects. The Queen will be honored at her funeral, which doubles as a state and religious service, with the same pomp and circumstance that she employed throughout her life to advance “brand Britain” and the royal family.
The Queen’s funeral is held in the same abbey nave where she was crowned 69 years ago and wed her late husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, 75 years ago. Prince Philip passed away last year. Her coronation was televised for the first time at her request because she was a ruler who understood the soft power of spectacle. This allowed millions of people all over the world to experience the splendor of the monarchy. All eyes will be on her again on Monday.
She served as the head of state of 15 Commonwealth nations, including the UK, and was the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Her appeal as a figurehead stemmed from her strong sense of responsibility, assiduous work ethic, and capacity to appear impartial yet approachable.
Admiration for the Queen has prevented a serious examination of the cruel history of the monarchy in former colonies, particularly its historical ties to the slave trade, but this is already starting to change as certain Commonwealth nations seek independence. Antigua & Barbuda declared last week that they would conduct a vote on whether to become a republic, while Barbados became the first nation to do so in in 30 years last November.
The woman whose likeness is on coins and postage stamps and who, according to polls, appears most frequently in people’s dreams was the Queen, and many of her subjects felt as though they knew her.
A day later, the Queen’s six other grandchildren, along with Prince William and Prince Harry, held their own solemn vigil while dressed in military garb.
The coffin will be transported from Westminster Hall to the abbey on the same gun carriage used for the funerals of the Queen’s father, King George VI, and Winston Churchill, the first of 15 British prime ministers who served under her, on Monday morning, with the King and other members of the royal family following.
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev. David Hoyle, will preside over the service. The event will have lessons read by UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, who the Queen had appointed just two days before she passed away, and a sermon from Canterbury Archbishop Justin Welby.