LONDON: Leaders and monarchs from across the globe gathered in London on Monday to bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth at a state funeral, marking the passing of a beloved figure with her 70-year reign.
Shortly before 11 in morning the coffin, covered in the Royal Standard flag with the Imperial State Crown on top, emerged under overcast skies to be taken by military procession to Westminster Abbey.
Her son and heir King Charles and other senior royals walked behind as a bell tolled in the background.
Tens of thousands of people lining the streets looked on as bagpipes skirled. Earlier, hundreds of armed personnel in full ceremonial dress marched past in a historic display of kilts, bearskin hats, scarlet tunics and bands in white gloves.
Awaiting the arrival of Britain's longest-serving monarch, her son and heir King Charles and members of the royal family was a 2,000-strong congregation including some 500 world leaders and foreign royal families.
Among them was President Droupadi Murmu who signed a condolence book on behalf of the Indian government on Sunday.(with Agency inputs)
