Britain is getting ready to bury its longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, after what is anticipated to be one of the largest state funerals in the country’s history.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather in London, with leaders from across the globe flying in to pay their respects.
Elizabeth died on Sept. 8 at the age of 96.
London’s police force said her state funeral Monday will be the biggest security operation it has ever undertaken.
Here is what is expected on the day and where to watch it:
The state funeral service will begin at 6 a.m. ET (11 am UK time) on Monday and run for an hour.
The venue is Westminster Abbey, the same church in London where the queen was crowned 70 years ago.
File photo dated 02/06/53 of Queen Elizabeth II receives the homage of the Duke of Edinburgh (her husband) at her coronation in London’s Westminster Abbey as the Queen’s funeral venue is where she was married and crowned. The monarch had close connections to the church – a focal point during times of national celebration and sadness. The Queen was married and crowned at Westminster Abbey. Now the bells of the “House of Kings” – half muffled in mourning – will ring out at her funeral. It will be the first time in over 260 years a sovereign’s funeral has taken place in the Abbey. The last was George II’s in 1760.
The Canadian Press
The service will be conducted by the Dean of Westminster, according to details released by the Buckingham Palace Thursday.
New-elected British Prime Minister Liz Truss and Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland will read selections from the Bible.
After the prayers, the sermon and commendation will be given by Archbishop of Canterbury.
A two-minute silence will be observed in the Abbey and across the country, followed by the national anthem to bring the funeral service to a close at 7 a.m. ET.
London’s Heathrow Airport announced it will halt all flights for 15 minutes before the two-minute national silence.
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According to Edward William Fitzalan-Howard, the official in charge of arrangements, the funeral and memorial events are intended to “unite people across the globe and resonate with people of all faiths, whilst fulfilling her majesty and family’s wishes to pay a fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign.”
Dozens of world leaders, politicians, royals and celebrities will be in attendance at the 2,000-guest funeral.
British Prime Minister Liz Truss, U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have all confirmed they will attend.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will also be there, along with other leaders from Commonwealth countries.
From Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau have travelled to London and are accompanied by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and her husband Whit Fraser, along with former governors general Michaëlle Jean and David Johnston.
