Queen Elizabeth II: the world says goodbye - C1


Queen laid to rest - 21st September 2022

The funeral service for Britain's longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II was held in London. The late Queen passed away on 8th September at the venerable age of 96. 

Royalty and heads of states from nations across the globe were amongst the 2,000 attendees. The funeral ceremony was conducted at Westminster Abbey, where Elizabeth celebrated her marriage to Prince Phillip and where she was anointed Queen. 

The coffin was escorted from the Abbey on a gun carriage hauled by members of the Royal Navy through the streets of London, where mourners gathered to pay their last respects to their Queen of 70 years and to show their allegiance to the new King, Charles III.  

Upon hearing the news of the Queen's passing, an outpouring of floral tributes flooded royal residences and parks. Hundreds of thousands of mourners travelled to London from far and wide and queued, many for 24 hours, to witness the Queen lying in State.  

Setting up camp along the funeral route, like Theresa Simons who camped out for two nights, many hoped for the best views of the procession of a much loved Queen. 

Theresa Simons: "Why wouldn't we want to see her? She was our Queen. She did a lot for our country. She did a lot for the world, I think. Um yeah – a nice place to be. It's just to pay our respects."

Flying in from the US with her family was Michelle Larson.

Michelle Larson: "We wanted to come over here and pay respects to the Queen. And, and – so we booked it and, and we're here until Thursday."

Michelle Larson: "And so, I think it's a testament to her character and her longevity. And I think also like – it's special to be here and experience this with her people and with the British people."

Curtains drawn on a long life of service, the Queen was laid to rest next to her husband, Prince Phillip, in a private ceremony, at Windsor Castle.