Queen Elizabeth II's funeral: What we know so far…

Queen Elizabeth II's funeral: What we know so far about state funeral

Members of the royal family will make plans for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, following her death at age 96.

The tragic passing of this country's longest reigning monarch was announced this afternoon (Thursday). All of her children, King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, rushed to be by her side.

Now plans are underway for her state funeral. Newly titled King Charles III will meet the Earl Marshal – the Duke of Norfolk – who is in charge of the accession and the Queen’s funeral, to approve the carefully choreographed schedule for the coming days.

The arrangements – codenamed London Bridge – have long been planned in consultation with the government. They will incorporate Operation Unicorn, the contingency plans for the death of the Queen in Scotland.

The Queen’s coffin is expected to be taken by road to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Proclamations will be read in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish devolved parliaments in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

Around three days after her death a procession is expected along Royal Mile to St Giles’ Cathedral. The public may get the chance to file past the Queen’s coffin at a mini lying in state in St Giles'.

Then, around five days after her death The Queen’s lying in state is expected to begin in Westminster Hall following a ceremonial procession through London. It will last four full days. The Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct a short service following the coffin’s arrival.

Hundreds of thousands of people will file past the coffin on its catafalque and pay their respects, just as they did for the Queen Mother’s lying in state in 2002.

By ten days after her death, The Queen’s state funeral is expected take place at Westminster Abbey in central London. The original plans are for the Queen’s coffin to process on a gun carriage to the abbey, pulled by naval ratings – sailors – using ropes rather than horses.

Senior members of the family are expected to poignantly follow behind – just like they did for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh. The military will line the streets and also join the procession.

Heads of state, prime ministers and presidents, European royals and key figures from public life will be invited to gather in the abbey, which can hold a congregation of 2,000.

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