Britain and the world bid final farewell to Queen Elizabeth II Monday, September 19, at a state funeral that drew hundreds of world leaders, including President Paul Kagame. President Kagame, who is the Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth, arrived in London on Sunday and proceeded to sign the condolence book at Lancaster House. Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 on September 8 and the UK observed 10 days of mourning following her passing. She will be buried at St. George’s Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle, one of the late Queen’s favorite homes and where many royals have been laid to rest before her. The funeral will be broadcast live to over 200 countries and territories worldwide and screened to crowds in parks and public spaces across the country. Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952 and is the longest-reigning monarch by seven decades, she was replaced by her eldest son, King Charles III, who is also the head of the Commonwealth. Burial site and significance At Westminster Abbey, the Queen’s coffin is transferred to St. George’s Chapel of Windsor Castle, which is about 20 miles outside of Central London. The Queen will be buried there as part of a long history of burials at the site. St. George’s chapel has several sections and nooks, including the King George VI Memorial Chapel, which the Queen commissioned after her father’s death. The Queen will be buried alongside her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and her sister, Princess Margaret. Twenty-four members of the royal family are buried at St. George’s Chapel. St. George’s Chapel has a long history for the royal family, not just as a burial site, but as a location for weddings, christenings and funerals. Prince Philip’s funeral was held here last year, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married there in 2018. Construction of the chapel first began in 1475 under King Edward IV’s reign and was completed in 1528 under King Henry VIII. Today, the chapel is a designated place of worship for the royal family, as well as a church that serves the local community. “Built by kings, shaped by the history of the Royal Family and still the location for both splendid Royal events and private family moments,” Buckingham Palace says about the significance of St. George’s Chapel. Following the Queen’s funeral, a royal procession will transport the Queen’s coffin to the chapel. The procession will likely include King Charles III and other senior members of the royal family. The Queen’s late husband Prince Philip, who was buried in the Royal Vault after his death, is expected to be moved to the memorial chapel to lie next to the Queen, but royal officials have yet to confirm this. Since her death at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, her remains have gone through a series of processions at Edinburgh, Buckingham Palace and Westminster, in accordance with the royal custom. St. George’s Chapel is open to the public for several days each week and anyone wishing to pay their respects to the Queen will be able to once her burial is concluded.
