London: Plans for the Queen’s state funeral

London, The Gulf Observer: World leaders and members of the Royal Family will today gather at Westminster Abbey to say a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II – who many of them knew personally.

The proceedings in Westminster mark only the start of a long day of ceremonial farewells, which will end in Windsor with a private burial at around 7.30pm.

Here’s what we expect to happen in London this morning.

At around 10.35am, a bearer party will lift the Queen’s coffin from the catafalque at Westminster Hall – where she was lying in state – and carry it to the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy.

This carriage will be drawn by 142 members of the Royal Navy, setting off at 10.44am. The route, passing by Parliament Square, will be lined by the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines.

The procession will be led by Scottish and Irish regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Royal Air Force numbering 200 musicians. The carriage will be flanked by detachments of The King’s Body Guards of The Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, the Yeomen of the Guard and the Royal Company of Archers.

Her Majesty’s coffin will be followed on foot by King Charles and members of the Royal Family.

The procession will arrive at the West Gate of Westminster Abbey at 10.52am.

The state funeral will begin at 11am, conducted by the Dean of Westminster. Prime Minister Liz Truss and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, will read lessons.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will give the sermon and the commendation, while the Dean will pronounce the blessing.

At 11.55am, the Last Post will sound and a two-minute silence will be observed.

The Queen’s state funeral will end at approximately midday.