What time is the Queen’s funeral? Who will wear military uniform? And other questions
A period of national mourning for Queen Elizabeth II is under way.
It will last until the end of Monday – the day of her funeral.
What time is the Queen’s funeral?
The funeral will take place at 11:00 BST (15:30 IST)on Monday 19 September. It will be held at Westminster Abbey in London, the historic church where Britain’s kings and queens are crowned.
The ceremony is expected to draw to a close just before noon, when the Last Post – a short bugle call – will be played.
How can I watch the funeral?
It will be on BBC Television and available to stream on BBC iPlayer, with coverage on the BBC News website and BBC Radio throughout the day.
Other networks are also expected to broadcast the event, which will be shown on big screens in public parks and venues across the UK.
The funeral will be screened in London’s Hyde Park, as well as in locations in Sheffield, Birmingham, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Coleraine, Bedford, Bradford, Coventry, Exeter, Leeds, Manchester, and Newcastle.
Around 125 cinemas across the UK will also screen the event.
What happens during a vigil?
The ritual of watching over a coffin is known as a vigil.
During the Queen’s lying-in-state, each corner of the platform on which her coffin rests is being guarded around the clock by a vigil of soldiers.
The soldiers are from units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division and the Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London.
Who will wear military uniform?
Buckingham Palace said that only working members of the Royal Family who hold military rank could wear uniform at the five ceremonial events marking the Queen’s death. These are:
- the service of thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh
- the procession to Westminster Hall, and service of prayer and reflection
- the vigil at Westminster Hall
- the state funeral service at Westminster Abbey
- the committal service at St George’s Chapel Windsor
This means King Charles, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex will wear military dress.
Prince Andrew and the Duke of Sussex will not wear uniform to most events.
However, an exception was made for Prince Andrew to wear military uniform during the Westminster Hall vigil.
Prince Harry also wore military uniform at the vigil of the Queen’s grandchildren, in line with the exception for Prince Andrew, at the request of King Charles.
