Today the nation came together in collective mourning, as we observed the State Funeral for late Queen Elizabeth II.
On the morning of September 19, the Queen's coffin was transported from the Palace of Westminster (the Houses of Parliament) to Westminster Abbey for her State Funeral, at 10.44am.
Her Majesty's religious ceremony, which commenced at 11am, was watched by four billion people, thanks to rolling news coverage from broadcasters such as BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
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Following the service, a funeral procession took the coffin from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. Big Ben tolled for the 45-minute journey along The Mall and past Buckingham Palace.
As the Queen's coffin completed its final journey to Wellington Arch, ELLE UK's correspondent Katie O'Malley reported live from the mall:
13:10 The coffin makes its way past Katie O'Malley, ELLE's correspondent, part way down the Mall
As anticipation reached fever pitch, a solemn and respectful silence fell over the waiting crowds at this mid-section of the Mall. People watched in awe as representatives from the Commonwealth, the Navy and Marines, the RAF and the army marched past, followed by the coffin pulled by Navy sailors and Grenadier Guards, with King Charles III and his sons walking in step behind.
13:05 Charlotte is spotted in the back of the car chatting to her mother, the Princess of Wales, whereas Prince George was looking out of the window at the crowds.
13:03 - As the procession makes it past the crowds on the mall, those who have already been passed by the coffin begin to chat to each other again. Where once there was a solemn silence of anticipation, among this part of the crowd there is now rustling and discussions of where to go next.
13:00 - Pictures of the procession, which was accompanied by funeral marches by Beethoven and Chopin, played by the band of the Scots Guards and Grenadier Guards.
12:57 The crowds have begun to applaud loudly, half way down the Mall, as they anticipate the coffin's imminent arrival.
12:50 Crowds of about nine people deep have gathered on the North side of the Mall. Children are being held up by parents on shoulders and on bollards to get a glimpse. People sitting on food trucks, green bins, lamp posts - anywhere that there is spare space - in order to try and hold their position for the Royal Family's imminent march past them.
12:39 Videos from ELLE's position on the Mall for the procession
12:34 Pictures from ELLE's position on the Mall for the funeral procession to Wellington Gate
12:30 The procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch has begun
The State Funeral comes after legions of world leaders, celebrities and the general public paid their respects by going to view her coffin lying-in-state at Westminster Hall.
More than 500,000 mourners queued - some for as long as 19 hours - before the viewing period ended at 6.30am today for the funeral service.
After the funeral:
After a two-minute silence, the Queen's coffin is being carried in procession to Wellington Arch, before Big Ben tolls for the 45-minute journey along The Mall and past Buckingham Palace.
The state hearse is making 22-mile journey to Windsor Castle to arrive at 3.06pm, in time for the committal service to begin in the chapel at 4pm.
Following this, the Queen's crown is being removed from the coffin to be place on the altar; thereafter, the service is ending with the Sovereign's Piper playing a lament.
The State Hearse used for The Queen’s funeral was new, designed by The Royal Household and Jaguar Land Rover. Her Majesty was consulted on the plans.
The Queen's final resting place is not only with her dear husband Prince Philip, but next to her father King George VI and mother, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
The Queen died, aged 96, at Balmoral Castle on Thursday September 8, after a 70-year reign.
Our longest reigning British monarch was surrounded by her royal family members at the time of her passing.
Prior to the Queen's funeral, her grandchildren held a 15-minute vigil at Westminster Hall on Saturday evening.
Prince Harry and Prince William, the newly appointed Prince of Wales, joined the silent vigil held by the Queen’s grandchildren
They were accompanied by their cousins Zara Tindall and Peter Philips, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn.
The brothers, dressed in uniform, stood guard at the Queen's lying in state in Westminster Hall as mourners filed past in the queue.
Following the Queen's death King Charles ascended the throne, aged 73, and his wife Camilla became Queen Consort.
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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
