Queen Elizabeth II has been laid to rest in the Royal Vault after the Service of Committal at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.
The service, conducted by the Dean of Windsor, ended with prayers as the coffin of Her Late Majesty was lowered into the Vault.
This evening, in a private ceremony, she will be buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel alongside the Duke of Edinburgh. They will be laid to rest next to her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was brought to St. George’s Chapel by hearse, driving through huge crowds on the Long Walk as tens of thousands turned out to say a final farewell to Her Late Majesty.
The coffin was borne into the Chapel by the Bearer Party and placed on catafalque in front of the altar. Around stood Queen Elizabeth’s children and grandchildren. Watching from the ancient stalls of St. George’s Chapel were the crowned heads of Europe.
The Dean of Windsor was flanked by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York during the Service of Committal. The Dean read the lesson, from the Book of Revelation, while prayers were led by the Rector of Sandringham and the Minister of Crathie Kirk.
As the Service came to an end, the Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre were removed from the top of the coffin and placed on the altar. The Lord Chamberlain then broke his Wand of Office and placed it on the coffin, to symbolise that his service was over.
Her Late Majesty’s titles were read out and then the piper began his lament. As it faded from St. George’s Chapel, as he walked away, the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was lowered into the Royal Vault.
Once it was gone, the Garter King of Arms called for long life for King Charles III before the National Anthem was sung.
King Charles stood solemnly as the anthem rang out. He then led his family from the Chapel.
His Majesty thanked the clergy and then left for a few hours of private reflection before he leads his family, once more, at the private burial service for his parents later today.
