In a ceremony filled with symbolism, Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral will involve one final piece of pageantry before her coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault – the Lord Chamberlain will symbolically break his wand of office and place it on the late queen’s coffin.
The Lord Chamberlain is the senior most position in the Royal Household, responsible for overseeing all departments, organising events including royal weddings, funerals and state visits, and as acting as the liaison between the sovereign and the House of Lords.
The wand of office is a thin, white staff and ceremonial tool that was, once upon a time, meant to be a device that could provide discipline to courtiers. If they were too rowdy, the Lord Chamberlain would tap them with the wand of office and warn them to behave.
The symbolic breaking of the wand of office is a traditional part of a sovereign’s funeral but this will be the first time that it is witnessed by the wider public. The last time this would have taken place was on 15 February 1952 at the funeral of King George VI.
The moment of the breaking of the wand is rich with pageantry. According to Buckingham Palace, who released further details of Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral on Thursday, the moment comes as the final Hymn finishes.
The current Lord Chamberlain is Lord Andrew Parker, Baron Parker of Minsmere, who was appointed on 1 April 2021 and whose first official duties involved planning the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
