Queen Elizabeth II’s Complete Funeral Timeline

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Queen Elizabeth II's Complete Funeral Timeline

Queen Elizabeth II is set to be officially laid to rest 10 days after her death at age 96 — and the world will be watching. Buckingham Palace announced the monarch's passing on Thursday, September 8. "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," the official statement read. "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow." Hours before her death, the palace revealed on Thursday that Elizabeth was placed under the "medical supervision" of her doctors and was "comfortable" at her Balmoral estate in Scotland. At the time, Prince Charles, Prince William and more loved ones gathered at the castle to be by her side. Preparations for her burial were finalized on Saturday, September 10, while the U.K. observes the traditional mourning period, with the Archbishop of Canterbury heading up the proceedings. Elizabeth, who was the longest-reigning British royal ahead of her death, will be honored with a state funeral. When her husband, Prince Philip, died at age 99 in April 2021, he was not recognized with a state funeral due to the coronavirus crisis. At the time, a source told Us Weekly that the royals didn't "want his death to have a negative impact on the U.K.'s pandemic protocols." Instead, a more private, military-style service was held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The queen was married to the former naval cadet for more than 70 years before he succumbed to old age. They shared four children — Charles, 73, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — along with eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. [jwplayer kRwDRDyp-zhNYySv2] As the first in line for the throne, Charles, 73, immediately stepped in as king after Elizabeth's death and will be officially proclaimed as the new monarch by the Ascension Council at a later date. He is succeeded by his eldest son, 40, with Prince Harry fifth in line behind William and Duchess Kate's children: Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4. After the death of his father, Charles inherited the title of Duke of Edinburgh. According to a source, the heir-apparent has been preparing to take over as king for quite some time. "This is something he's dreamed about his entire life — he sees it as his birthright, and Her Majesty would find it extremely difficult to deprive him of that," the insider told Us in November 2020, adding that his wife, Duchess Camilla, will happily serve "by his side." Ahead of her death, the monarch celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in February. At the time, she announced in a statement that Camilla, 75, would officially take on the title of Queen Consort. The decision was "a dream come true" for Charles, an insider exclusively revealed. "Charles is over the moon that his mother has given her seal of approval," the source added, shortly before Charles, Camilla and the queen each tested positive for COVID-19. Celebrations continued in June, but Her Royal Highness missed a handful of the events as she struggled with mobility issues. "The Queen greatly enjoyed today's Birthday Parade and flypast but did experience some discomfort," a palace statement noted after the Trooping the Colour. "Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrow’s National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, Her Majesty with great reluctance has concluded that she will not attend." Amid the transition after Elizabeth's passing, several governments outside of the U.K. were notified of the news, including the Commonwealth realms of which she was head of state. Her death was announced to the public with a message outside of Buckingham Palace. Scroll down for the complete timeline of the queen's funeral, which will be dubbed a National Day of Mourning:

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Queen Elizabeth II's Complete Funeral Timeline

Queen Elizabeth II is set to be officially laid to rest 10 days after her death at age 96 — and the world will be watching. Buckingham Palace announced the monarch's passing on Thursday, September 8. "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," the official statement read. "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow." Hours before her death, the palace revealed on Thursday that Elizabeth was placed under the "medical supervision" of her doctors and was "comfortable" at her Balmoral estate in Scotland. At the time, Prince Charles, Prince William and more loved ones gathered at the castle to be by her side. Preparations for her burial were finalized on Saturday, September 10, while the U.K. observes the traditional mourning period, with the Archbishop of Canterbury heading up the proceedings. Elizabeth, who was the longest-reigning British royal ahead of her death, will be honored with a state funeral. When her husband, Prince Philip, died at age 99 in April 2021, he was not recognized with a state funeral due to the coronavirus crisis. At the time, a source told Us Weekly that the royals didn't "want his death to have a negative impact on the U.K.'s pandemic protocols." Instead, a more private, military-style service was held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The queen was married to the former naval cadet for more than 70 years before he succumbed to old age. They shared four children — Charles, 73, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — along with eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. [jwplayer kRwDRDyp-zhNYySv2] As the first in line for the throne, Charles, 73, immediately stepped in as king after Elizabeth's death and will be officially proclaimed as the new monarch by the Ascension Council at a later date. He is succeeded by his eldest son, 40, with Prince Harry fifth in line behind William and Duchess Kate's children: Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4. After the death of his father, Charles inherited the title of Duke of Edinburgh. According to a source, the heir-apparent has been preparing to take over as king for quite some time. "This is something he's dreamed about his entire life — he sees it as his birthright, and Her Majesty would find it extremely difficult to deprive him of that," the insider told Us in November 2020, adding that his wife, Duchess Camilla, will happily serve "by his side." Ahead of her death, the monarch celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in February. At the time, she announced in a statement that Camilla, 75, would officially take on the title of Queen Consort. The decision was "a dream come true" for Charles, an insider exclusively revealed. "Charles is over the moon that his mother has given her seal of approval," the source added, shortly before Charles, Camilla and the queen each tested positive for COVID-19. Celebrations continued in June, but Her Royal Highness missed a handful of the events as she struggled with mobility issues. "The Queen greatly enjoyed today's Birthday Parade and flypast but did experience some discomfort," a palace statement noted after the Trooping the Colour. "Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrow’s National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, Her Majesty with great reluctance has concluded that she will not attend." Amid the transition after Elizabeth's passing, several governments outside of the U.K. were notified of the news, including the Commonwealth realms of which she was head of state. Her death was announced to the public with a message outside of Buckingham Palace. Scroll down for the complete timeline of the queen's funeral, which will be dubbed a National Day of Mourning:

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

The Mourning Period

The U.K. officially entered its national mourning period as soon as Elizabeth died, and the somber event lasts until until her funeral on Monday, September 19. The country paid tribute to the late monarch in several ways, from church bells being tolled at Westminster Abbey to the traditional easel announcement being placed outside of Buckingham Palace. Flags were flown at half-mast and gun salutes were planned in Elizabeth's honor. 

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Philip's Coffin Moved

The Duke of Edinburgh was laid to rest in the Royal Vault beneath St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle following his April 2021 funeral. His coffin will be moved so that he can join the queen in her final resting place.

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The Procession

Unlike her late husband, the queen will receive a state funeral, which will include processions through Edinburgh, London and Windsor. Her coffin will be adorned with the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Scepter. On Monday, September 12, the first procession will take the casket from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. Princess Anne will accompany the coffin from Edinburgh to London.

The second procession will be on Wednesday September 14 from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. "The Coffin will be borne in Procession on a Gun Carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster," according to the official royal announcement. The procession to Westminster Hall will take her coffin through Queen’s Gardens, The Mall, Horse Guards and Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square and New Palace Yard.

After the state funeral, her final procession will be from London to her final resting place in Windsor. From Westminster Abbey, where the memorial service will be held, her remains will be taken to Wellington Arch and then to Windsor. The state hearse will carry the late monarch to St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle via the Long Walk. A committal service will be held when she is laid to rest.

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Moment of Silence

For two minutes at midday on Monday, September 19, a nationwide moment of silence will take place after Big Ben is struck. The London Stock Exchange is expected to close on funeral day.

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The Service

After lying in state for three days at Westminster Hall, a committal service will occur at Windsor Castle. While a Day of National Mourning will be recognized, it won't be named a bank holiday. The Last Post, Reveille and the national anthem will play at the end of the hour-long funeral service.

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Final Rest

Elizabeth will be buried in a prepared tomb at the King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle alongside Philip on Monday, September 19.

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Leaving Scotland

The queen died at Balmoral Castle, and she'll remain in Scotland for several days. Her coffin first sat in the ballroom at Balmoral Castle. Elizabeth will be sent to the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Sunday, September 11, where her casket will rest in the Throne Room for one day. On Monday, September 12, there will be a procession from Holyroodhouse, the official royal residence in Scotland, to St. Giles Cathedral for a service attended by King Charles III and other royal family members. She will remain at St Giles' Cathedral — guarded by Vigils from The Royal Company of Archers — for one day, allowing locals in Scotland to pay their respects.

Princess Anne will accompany the casket from Scotland to England on Tuesday, September 13, with the Royal Air Force.

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Lying in State

The public will be able to pay their respects. After leaving Scotland, her majesty's casket will spend one night at Buckingham Palace. On Wednesday, September 14, the procession to Westminster Hall will take her coffin through Queen’s Gardens, The Mall, Horse Guards and Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square and New Palace Yard. After the procession ends at Westminster Hall, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Reverend Dr, David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster, will conduct a small service, attended by Charles and various family members. After that ceremony, the public will be able to say goodbye until the final funeral ceremony on Monday, September 19.