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Queen’s Funeral: Elizabeth II’s Final Journey As Service Takes Place At Westminster Abbey

The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II is taking place as the King led members of the Royal Family in procession behind her coffin to Westminster Abbey.

Tens of thousands of people have travelled to London and Windsor for the funeral and burial service, which are being watched on television by millions around the world.

The Queen, Britain's longest reigning monarch, is being laid to rest today next to her beloved husband, Prince Philip.

Some 2,000 people - including heads of state, prime ministers, presidents, and members of European royal families - have gathered for the funeral at the abbey, where the first guests began to take their seats from 8am.

Delivering the sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury told mourners the "grief" felt around the world over the Queen's death "arises from her abundant life and loving service".

"She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives," the Most Rev Justin Welby said.

"People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer.

"Her Late Majesty's broadcast during the COVID lockdown ended with: 'We will meet again', words of hope from a song of Vera Lynn."

He added: "All who follow the Queen's example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: 'We will meet again'."

Shortly after 10.35am, the coffin left Westminster Hall where the final members of the public queued overnight to see the Queen lying in state.

A grand military procession taking the coffin to Westminster Abbey involved 6,000 representatives from all three armed forces, with 98 Royal Navy sailors towing the 123-year-old gun carriage.

Senior members of the Royal Family walked in procession behind the Queen's coffin, which was carried through the Gothic church by the military bearer party.

The Dean of Windsor told the congregation:

"Here, where Queen Elizabeth was married and crowned, we gather from across the nation, from the Commonwealth, and from the nations of the world, to mourn our loss, to remember her long life of selfless service, and in sure confidence to commit her to the mercy of God our maker and redeemer."

The wreath which adorns the Queen's coffin includes flowers requested by King Charles and cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House.

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