Queen Elizabeth II’s final journey

 The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II is taking place after the King led members of the Royal Family in procession behind her coffin to Westminster Abbey.

Tens of thousands of people have travelled to London and Windsor for the funeral and burial service, which are being watched on television by millions around the world.

The Queen, Britain’s longest reigning monarch, is being laid to rest today next to her beloved husband, Prince Philip.

Some 2,000 people – including heads of state, prime ministers, presidents, and members of European royal families – have gathered for the funeral at the abbey, where the first guests began to take their seats from 8am.

Delivering the sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury told mourners the “grief” felt around the world over the Queen’s death “arises from her abundant life and loving service”.

“She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives,” the Most Rev Justin Welby said.

“People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer.

“Her Late Majesty’s broadcast during the COVID lockdown ended with: ‘We will meet again’, words of hope from a song of Vera Lynn.”