THE Queen's coffin is making its final journey following an emotional state funeral service.
King Charles is leading the Royal Family in a sombre procession behind Her Majesty from Westminster Abbey to Windsor, where she will be reunited with her beloved husband Prince Philip.
He is joined by his brothers Andrew and Edward and sister Anne, as well as Princes William and Harry.
Some 98 sailors are pulling the ceremonial gun carriage, while another 40 march behind.
Guardsman and members of the Armed Forces follow, all walking at 75 paces a minute.
The Queen Consort, Princess of Wales, Duchess of Sussex and Countess of Wessex are following by car.
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There was a hush from the crowd – 30-deep in places – in Whitehall as the procession moved past the Cabinet War Rooms, the Cenotaph and Downing Street.
Some emerged from balconies and windows, clad in black, while those on the street craned their necks and clutched cameras as they awaited the chance to say goodbye to the monarch.
The procession of seven groups, each with a military band, is travelling via Parliament Square, Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade, The Mall, past Buckingham Palace and Constitution Hill to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner.
While 1,000 armed forces from the UK and Commonwealth line the mile-long route, British Legion standard bearers flank the Cenotaph, King’s Life Guards turn out on Horse Guards Parade and King’s Guard salute the coffin at Victoria Memorial near Buckingham Palace.
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The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery are firing minute guns in Hyde Park and Big Ben is tolling during the procession.
At Wellington Arch, the bearer party will lift the Queen’s coffin from the State Gun Carriage into the glass-backed State Hearse, which Her Majesty helped design.
Bands of the Scots and Grenadier Guards will play a medley of the Queen’s favourites, including Jerusalem and I Vow To Thee My Country as the coffin arrives.
As the hearse leaves the monument for Windsor, the parade will give a Royal Salute and play the National Anthem.
The King, the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with other Royal Family members, will then leave for Windsor by car, travelling along the M4.
Thousands of mourners have lined the A4, A30 and A308 to see the State Hearse as it makes the 25-mile journey.
It comes as…
- Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince George, 9, arrived at Westminster Abbey with mum Kate Middleton
- Meghan Markle bowed her head as she joined the Royals
- Prince Andrew wore a suit after being banned from his military uniform
- Two thousand mourners including world leaders gathered for the funeral
It will arrive at Windsor Great Park through Shaw Farm Gate on Albert Road and on to Long Walk, where tens of thousands of people will bid a final farewell to the Queen.
At the head of the procession, the hearse will travel up Long Walk, through Cambridge Gate and George IV Gate to the Quadrangle.
It will then make its way to St George's Chapel, where a televised committal service will take place in St George's Chapel at 4pm.
It follows an emotional state funeral, watched by billions around the world.
Charles, 73, appeared to wipe away a tear as he followed his late mother being carried into Westminster Abbey this morning.
All you need to know after Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96
THE nation is in mourning after beloved Queen Elizabeth dies aged 96 – here is all you need to know about Her Majesty’s glorious life and what’s next.
- When is the Queen's funeral?
- What happens now the Queen has died?
- How old was the Queen when she died?
- What is the mourning period for the Queen?
- What is the new line of succession?
- Will there be a bank holiday on the day of the Queen's funeral?
- When can royal fans visit the Queen's coffin?
- Where will the Queen be buried?
- Why is 'London Bridge is down' the secret code?
- What is D-Day?
- Who are the Queen's grandchildren?
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