Sharjah24 – AFP: The royal family celebrated a "life of service, love and faith" as they bade farewell to Queen Elizabeth II in an intimate ceremony inside the grounds of her beloved Windsor Castle on Monday.
Following the majesty and pomp of her state funeral at London's Westminster Abbey earlier in the day, a smaller congregation gathered at the Gothic St George's Chapel to pay a more personal goodbye.
The royal hearse carrying the sovereign's body arrived at the castle at 3:40 pm after a 25-mile (40-kilometre) drive west from London, entering its gates to applause and tears among the huge crowd that had gathered since early morning.
The queen, who died on September 8 aged 96, moved with her late husband Prince Philip to the castle in early 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic began, and spent most of her time there.
Inside, her coffin was taken by the castle's manicured walkways, freshly mowed lawns and thousands of bouquets left by well-wishers, along with wreaths sent by wellwishers from around the world.
Her eldest son and successor, King Charles III, his heir William and second son Harry followed behind the coffin as it slowly made its way towards St George's Chapel.
Red-jacketed Grenadier Guards carried the heavy lead-lined oak casket through the great doorway of the chapel and its crowded nave, where many mourners bowed their heads in respect.
A choir sang the coffin to its catafalque, which was draped in purple velvet.
The Dean of Windsor David Conner, who led the ceremony, hailed Elizabeth's "profound Christian faith" that "bore so much fruit".
"Fruit, in a life of unstinting service to the nation, the Commonwealth and the wider world," he added.
For an optimal experience, please
