The Queen’s funeral LIVE: Queen begins final journey to Windsor Castle after funeral procession

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The Queen’s state funeral has taken place at Westminster Abbey as millions in London, the UK and around the world say a final farewell to the late monarch.

A single toll from Big Ben signaled the start of the service at the abbey, where kings and queens have been crowned since 1066, and where the new monarch was sitting surrounded by the royal family he now leads.

The Archbishop of Canterbury hailed the Queen’s “abundant life and loving service” as he delivered the sermon, adding: “She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.”

Her coffin was later carried in a procession from the abbey past Buckingham Palace to Hyde Park Corner, from where the late monarch is making her final journey to Windsor Castle where she will be laid to rest next to her husband the Duke of Edinburgh.

King Charles III and his siblings – the Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex – had earlier marched behind their mother’s coffin as it traveled the short distance from Westminster Hall, where the Queen had been lying in the state for four days, to the ancient Abbey.

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World leaders including US President Joe Biden and France’s Emmanuel Macron and a host of other leaders are among 2,000 people gathered for the sombre and historic service. Members of European royal families and key figures from public life are among the congregation.

Huge crowds flocked to London, Windsor and royal sites throughout the UK on the national bank holiday, with the service set to draw millions of TV viewers across the globe.

The Queen’s lying-in-state ended at 6.30am with mourners who queued for hours to view the late monarch’s coffin paying their final respects.

Live updatesShow latest updates 1663595994Royal Standard raised at Windsor as Long Walk closed to additional mourners

The Royal Standard has been raised above Windsor Castle – a sign that King Charles has arrived at the royal residence ahead of the committal service for the Queen.

Thousands of mourners have attempted to line the famous Long Walk leading up the castle.

But the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said: “Windsor is very busy and The Long Walk is now closed as it would not be safe to allow access to any more visitors.

“If you are just arriving now, you will be redirected to Home Park Public viewing screen.”

Guards walk at Windsor Castle earlier Monday

/ REUTERS1663595603Queen’s coffin leaves London for last time

The convoy with the hearse carrying the Queen’s coffin has left greater London on its way to Windsor.

Throughout its journey to the edge of the capital, many of the onlookers lining the roads threw flowers.

Members of the armed services joined police in standing guard along the route.

At Windsor, thousands have gathered to await the Queen’s arrival, where some have been singing the national anthem.

1663595293First lady of Ukraine says it was a “great honor” to attend funeral1663594920Pictured: Crowds gather in Windsor as they await the arrival of the Queen’s coffinBBC News1663594806Central London stations closed to prevent overcrowding

Several central London tube stations have been closed to prevent thousands of people flocking to them this morning.

Marble Arch near Hyde Park was shut following the funeral forcing crowds to walk down Oxford Street to Bond Street.

The majority of the shops in the world’s famous shopping district are closed today to allow staff to watch the funeral.

Green Park station will remain exit only between 10am to 8pm, while many bus routes into central London have been diverted because of the major road closures needed for the funeral procession.

1663594519Kate pays tribute to Queen through jewelry choice

The Princess of Wales paid tribute to the Queen by wearing some of the late monarch’s jewellery to her funeral.

Kate opted for the same necklace and earring combination that she wore just over a year ago for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.

The pieces of jewelry were also previously worn by her husband’s late mother, Diana, and are thought to have been loaned to Kate for the first time by the late monarch in 2017.

Described as a Japanese choker with four rows of pearls and a curved central diamond clasp, this was accompanied with a pair of Bahrain drop pearl earrings.

Pearls are often referred to as mourning jewellery, a tradition said to date back to Queen Victoria’s era.

1663594381People queue for hours on South Carriage Drive to see coffin

People queued for hours on South Carriage Drive in a bid to see the Queen’s coffin. Many had tried to line the funeral procession route but were unable to gain access.

Jonathan and Heidi Johnson, both 73, from Worthing, stood for four hours to catch a glimpse of the coffin.

Mrs Johnson said: “I felt it was our duty to come. We have had another monarch but she has been our Queen since we were three.

“I have plates with her picture on and have followed her. I thought she was wonderful.”

Mr Johnson added: “She did us proud.”

Colette O’Hart, originally from County Sligo in Ireland, who lives in Pimlico, south London, stood for three hours to try to see the coffin.

The 86-year-old said: “Everyone was very respectful. I wanted to come because she was such a very good woman – always cheerful and a hard worker, even at the very end.”

1663594120Obama pays tribute to the Queen’s “kindness and consideration”

Former US president Barack Obama has paid tribute to the Queen’s “kindness and consideration” as he recalled his meetings with the monarch.

In a video posted on Twitter, Mr Obama said she reminded him of his own grandmother.

He described her as being “very gracious but also no nonsense, (with a) wry sense of humour”.

Mr Obama also recalled an occasion when his wife and two daughters were invited to tea at Buckingham Palace and later driven in the Queen’s golden carriage around the grounds – a moment that he said “left a mark in my daughters’ lives that’s still there”.

1663593666Pictured: Huge crowds leaving Hyde Park

People leaving the park, where the funeral was shown on big screens

/ ES1663593526Mourners praise ‘incredible atmosphere’ inside Westminster Abbey

Dr Caroline Harper, chief executive of the charity Sightsavers, of which the Queen was patron, was inside Westminster Abbey for the funeral.

She told the PA news agency that the atmosphere inside had been sombre “but also one of the community”.

She added: “One of the most special moments was when the Queen arrived accompanied by pipers.

“You could just hear the pipers getting closer and closer. It was an incredible atmosphere, with people bowing their heads. It was very moving.”

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