The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest beside her husband, Prince Philip, during a private family ceremony at Windsor Castle.
“The Queen has been laid to rest alongside the Duke of Edinburgh,” the British royal family announced on the evening of September 19 (morning of September 20 in Hanoi), referring to Prince Philip, who passed away in April 2021.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was brought into St George’s Chapel on the afternoon of September 19. (Photo: PA).
Earlier, the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was transported to Windsor Castle on the afternoon of September 19 after a journey of over 30 kilometers from Wellington Arch in London. Crowds lined the streets along the funeral route. Some people threw flowers toward the hearse, while others shouted farewell to the Queen.
A farewell ceremony with 800 guests was held at St George’s Chapel within Windsor Castle. Many religious leaders offered prayers before the crown, scepter, and orb—symbols of the monarchy’s power—were removed from the coffin and placed on the altar.
The Chief Steward, the highest-ranking official in the royal service team, then performed the ritual of breaking the “Scepter of State” and placed the two pieces of the scepter on the coffin, signifying the end of service to the monarch and the conclusion of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
The titles of Queen Elizabeth II were read aloud as her coffin was gradually lowered to the floor.
The coffin of the Queen was lowered into the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel on September 19. (Video: Twitter/RoyalCentral).
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was transferred to the Royal Vault beneath what is now the Albert Memorial Chapel at around 4:45 PM (10:45 PM Hanoi time). The ceremony concluded with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the head of the Church of England, offering prayers and the choir singing “God Save the King.”
The coffin was temporarily placed in the Royal Vault for about two hours while preparations were made for her final resting place at the King George VI Memorial Chapel. The coffin of Prince Philip was also temporarily placed here after his passing in April 2021.
The burial service began at 7:30 PM (1:30 AM on September 20 in Hanoi), presided over by Dean of Windsor David Conner, with the participation of King Charles III and family members. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were laid to rest at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, which is also the burial site of the Queen’s father, mother, and sister.
The United Kingdom concluded a 10-day national mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on September 8 in Scotland at the age of 96. She reigned for over 70 years, making her the longest-serving monarch in British history.
The location of the Royal Vault and the King George VI Memorial Chapel within St George’s Chapel. (Graphic: Sky News).
