Goodbye Ma’am: Our last duty to Her Majesty The Queen
Today, the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II took place in Westminster Abbey and Windsor.
Over 1,000 members of the Armed Forces were involved in the ceremonies at Windsor Castle this afternoon, where the Committal Service for The Queen took place.
Upon arrival in Windsor, the state hearse joined the forward elements of the procession at Shaw Farm Gate, where it was flanked by the pall bearers (service equerries) and an escort party of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.
The state hearse travelled in a lengthy procession comprising of hundreds of Armed Forces personnel, including a Dismounted Detachment of the Household Cavalry Regiment, 1st Division of the Sovereign’s Escort, and The Massed Pipes and Drums of Scottish and Irish Regiments.
Flanked by military personel, The Queen’s coffin began it’s final procession along the Long Walk, to St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
At the same time and perfectly choreographed, the bearer party of The Queen’s Company 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards arrived at the steps of St George’s Chapel.
707 members of personnel from 18 half companies lined up from the Long Walk to Cambridge Gate, and from Norman Arch to the Parade Ground at Horseshoe Cloister Arch, Windsor Castle.
Minute guns were fired by The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn, Windsor Castle — one round for every minute of the procession. The first round was fired as the gun carriage wheels started to turn at Shaw Farm Gate and the last as the wheels stopped at the foot of the West Steps of St George’s Chapel.
The Windsor Castle Guard, formed by the Coldstream Guards, presented arms to members of the Royal Family and the coffin. In Horseshoe Cloister, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards formed a guard of honour comprising three officers and 110 soldiers.
The Massed Pipes and Drums stopped playing as the procession approached St George’s Chapel and the hearse passed under the archway at the southern end of Horseshoe Cloister.
Shortly before 1600, the state hearse halted, centred on the West steps of St George’s Chapel. As before, the bearer party raised the coffin to their shoulders and turned to face the west steps of the chapel.
To read more about the UK Armed Forces’ involvement in commemorating the life of The Queen, head to:
