British RoyalsHistoryInterestsPalaces & BuildingsPrince PhilipQueen Elizabeth IIState & Ceremonial

Royal funerals in Westminster Abbey: history with a big hiatus

By
17th September 2022
Queen Elizabeth II will be the first monarch to have her funeral held at Westminster Abbey since 1760.  All sovereigns after that date have received their last salute at St George’s Chapel, in Windsor, due to logistic challenges: the Royal Vaults in the Abbey are entirely full, and therefore royal burials are now in the Royal Vault under the Windsor chapel.  However, for a remarkable…
Read more
British Royals

Westminster Abbey to offer Jubilee tour marking The Queen's Platinum celebrations

By
28th April 2022
A special Jubilee tour has been created for Westminster Abbey, highlighting the links between the ancient church and The Queen. The tour, called The Queen and Her Abbey, will highlight the many connections the Monarch has with Westminster, the site of some of the most famous moments in her historic reign. It will include reflections on her wedding to Prince Philip at the Abbey in 1947 as…
Read more
British RoyalsFeatures

The history of Royal Maundy Services

By
14th April 2022
With the Easter holiday fast approaching, Royal Central is looking into the history of Royal Maundy Services. Royal Maundy is a religious service in the Church of England held on Maundy Thursday, which precedes Good Friday. At the service, the British monarch, or a royal…
British Royals

Red, white and blue flowers for Prince Philip at the Service of Thanksgiving

By
29th March 2022
The colours of the union flag dominate the flowers at the Service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip taking place at Westminster Abbey. Predominantly red, white and blue blooms have been used in the arrangements at the Abbey. Among the flowers chosen are orchids, which were used in The Queen’s wedding bouquet, and sea holly, to reflect Prince Philip’s long naval career. The…
Read more
British Royals

Westminster Abbey Dean campaigned for Sir Elton John to sing at Diana's funeral

By
30th December 2021
Papers released by the National Archives suggest there were concerns ahead of Sir Elton John’s poignant performance of “Candle in the Wind” at the Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. With concerns the lyrics would be deemed “too sentimental,” the Dean of Westminister Abbey, at the time, came forward to appeal the case and to have John perform. The original song…
Read more