Among the pomp and pageantry of the Queen's historic state funeral today, there was a simple message placed within the wreath of flowers adorning her coffin.
The colourful funeral wreath included a poignant connection to the Queen's late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, by including a sprig of flowers from their wedding more than 73 years ago. And the message on the flowers has been written by the son who has succeeded her to the throne, King Charles III and simply read: "In loving and devoted memory. Charles R."
On the request of the new King, the wreath has been made completely sustainable and will be buried with her at Windsor. It contains plants cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House, reports The Mirror.
Nearly 100 Royal Navy sailors carried Her Majesty's coffin for the service, which was attended by all members of the royal family and world leaders. After the funeral at Westminster Abbey, the King and members of the royal family walked behind the Queen’s coffin to Wellington Arch before it set off for its journey to Windsor.
When the hearse arrives in Berkshire, there will be a committal service at St George's Chapel inside the grounds of Windsor Castle, which will be attended by around 800 people including personal staff from the private estates. The majority of those attending this service, which will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, will not have attended the earlier service at Westminster Abbey.
Before the final hymn at the service, the Imperial State Crown, the orb and the sceptre will be removed from the coffin by the Crown Jeweller and, with the Bargemaster and Serjeants-at-Arms. They will be passed to the dean who will place them on the altar and at the end of the final hymn, the King will place The Queen's Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on the coffin. At the same time, the Lord Chamberlain will “break” his Wand of Office and place it on the coffin.
As the coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault, the Dean of Windsor will say a psalm and the commendation before the Garter King of Arms will pronounce the styles and titles of the Queen. At 7.30pm the Queen will be buried in King George VI's chapel. The chapel is also the resting place of the Queen's father, King George VI, the Queen's mother and her sister, Princess Margaret. She will be laid to rest alongside Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who will be moved from the Royal Vault to join her.
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