WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The world pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, as the United Kingdom holds a state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday, September 19.
The queen, who reigned for 70 years, died peacefully at her home in Scotland on September 8 at the age of 96.
Bookmark and refresh this page for live updates, including dispatches from our senior reporter Lian Buan, on Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in London at 6 pm (Manila time) on Monday.
Watch the live feed in the video below:
LATEST UPDATES
In Westminster Abbey, the deafening sound of silence to honor Queen Elizabeth
WESTMINSTER ABBEY, London – As the last notes of the poignant Last Post trumpet fanfare echoed around the vaulted ceilings of London’s historic Westminster Abbey, a deep silence pervaded the majestic gothic cathedral.
In the building where for a thousand years the monarchs of England and later Britain have been crowned, buried and married, presidents, prime ministers, kings, queens, sultans and an emperor stood still, heads bowed.
World leaders and dignitaries from about 200 countries and territories, some openly hostile to each other, united briefly for two minutes of silence in a show of tribute at the state funeral of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth.
There was no shuffling of feet, barely a cough.
“Few leaders receive the outpouring of love we have seen,” Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Anglican Communion, said in his sermon. The grief of the day was shared not only by those in Britain but across the world, he said.
Read the full story here.
Britain pays its respects to the queen
Loyal to the last, queen’s corgis and pony watch her pass
WINDSOR, United Kingdom – Queen Elizabeth’s black pony Emma watched the monarch’s funeral procession pass by in the grounds of Windsor Castle, where it was held on a lead by a groomsman.
The queen’s two corgis, Sandy and Muick, were also brought out for the arrival of the coffin at the castle, where Elizabeth was to be buried later in the day following a grand state funeral.
Held on leashes by palace staff, the dogs patiently waited in the forecourt of the castle.
The queen, who died this month aged 96 after 70 years on the throne, had a lifelong love of corgis and horses and enjoyed riding throughout her life. Her second son, Prince Andrew, will now take care of the dogs.
Huge crowds follow queen’s funeral in silence and awe
LONDON, United Kingdom – The tens of thousands gathered in central London for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth fell silent and bowed their heads on Monday, September 19, to follow her funeral service in Westminster Abbey and watch the procession of her coffin afterwards through the city.
Some watching in Hyde Park dabbed their eyes and others sobbed during the service, while later children were hoisted in the air or put on parents’ shoulders to see her coffin pass.
There was also applause among the crowd for a grand state funeral of pageantry and rousing music that captured how many felt for the queen, who died on September 8 aged 96. She had been on the throne for 70 years, meaning most Britons have known no other monarch.
“I find it hard to express in words what we just witnessed. This was really special and memorable,” said Camilla Moore, 53, from Nottingham. “It was terribly sad. So very, very sad. The end of an era.”
Read the full story here.