Rehearsals for Her Majesty's funeral have been taking place in London
Armed forces have been out practising ahead of Monday's state funeral
Last updated 15th Sep 2022
Rehearsals for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II have been taking place in London as thousands of military personnel prepare for the procession of the coffin on Monday.
The full rehearsal was for the procession of the Queen's coffin from Westminster Hall to Wellington Arch.
The rehearsal took place before sunrise on Thursday morning, and saw the State Gun Carriage, towed by almost 100 naval personnel and bearing a black coffin, travel from Westminster Hall, on to Westminster Abbey, and then through central London.
Hundreds of mourners who had waited in line overnight to visit the late monarch lying in state left Westminster Hall to see the thousands of military personnel in ceremonial uniform taking part in the preparations for Monday’s event.
The sound of bagpipes began at 2.45am, signalling the start of the procession and echoing through the quiet streets of London.
The Scots Guards marched away from New Palace Yard and on to the Abbey, and were followed by the sailors pulling the gun carriage using white ropes, and several members of the Household Cavalry on horseback.
Four soldiers stood either side of the coffin as it was taken into Westminster Abbey, where indoor procedures were also rehearsed.
Mournful brass and drums heralded the coffin leaving the Abbey, and the procession began its next journey, along Whitehall on to Wellington Arch.
Many of London’s streets had been sealed off for the operation, and several police officers marshalled members of the public out of Westminster Hall and away from the closed roads.
The drums and trumpets of the procession could be heard from streets away, as the rest of the city remained largely silent.
At around 5.20am, the sound of brass playing God Save The Queen rang out from under the arch, before the state hearse departed through the Apsley Gate of Hyde Park between rows of Household Cavalry.
The procession continued to play in the half-light, and Beethoven’s Funeral March and the hymn Jerusalem could be heard before the sun came up.
Given the time of day and the extensive road closures, a far smaller crowd was present for the end of the rehearsal at Wellington Arch.
However, a few had managed to rejoin the procession near Hyde Park after seeing the stepping off in Westminster, and stayed out in the cold until its conclusion.
Aidan Conway, from Islington, watched the rehearsal and told the PA news agency: “I was in the West End at the theatre and I went for a little night cycle just down the Mall out of interest, maybe to see the flowers.
“A policeman told me there was going to be a rehearsal at 2.30, helpfully, so I thought I’d stick around.”
He added: “It’s peaceful. It’s not the real thing, but I think it’s almost closer than you’re going to get to the real thing unless you’re going to queue for a day.
“The city at night is incredible anyway, it’s beautiful. The rehearsals are quite remarkable.”
The state funeral will take place in Westminster Abbey at 11am on Monday, before the procession makes its way to Wellington Arch and then on to Windsor Castle.
A committal service will then be conducted in St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Tributes to Queen Elizabeth II
Flowers are being laid outside many of the Queen's homes, following her death. Here a family lay flowers outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace the evening after the news of the Queen's death was made public.
Mourners gather at Buckingham Palace placing flowers and paying their respect
Messages on the flowers included this 'Forever our Queen' message
Even the gates of Buckingham palace were adorned with flowers
Books of condolence have been set up in many places across the UK, including this one at Liverpool Cathedral
Birmingham Cathedral also had a space for remembrance
People were queuing to sign the book of condolence in Birmingham
Flowers at the gates of Balmoral in Scotland
Brighton UK 9th September 2022 - A tribute to The Queen at a bus stop in Brighton today after her death at the age of 96 was announced yesterday .
Floral tributes to Queen Elizabeth II at the gate of Buckingham Palace.
London, England, UK. 9th Sep, 2022.
Newmarket, UK. 9 September, 2022. Floral tributes left in memory to Queen Elizabeth II after her death on 8th September on a bronze statue designed by Etienne Millner, which is situated at the Newmarket Racecourse entrance which was a gift from the town in the year of her 90th birthday. Pictured is Matt Hancock Conservative MP, for West Suffolk, with his floral tribute the Queen.
Mourners make their way along the Long Walk to pay their respects at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Union Flag flies at half mast at the City Chambers in Edinburgh, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
John Houston of the Merchant Navy Association pays his respects at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Floral tributes and messages at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Floral tributes and messages at the gates of Sandringham House on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, following the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Minutes of silence before the game to pay respect after the death of Queen Elizabeth II before the UEFA Europa Conference League match at the London Stadium, London.
London, England, 8th September 2022.
Crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II who died on Thursday 8th September.
London, England, UK. 8th Sep, 2022.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie looks at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Floral tributes left at the gates of Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced.
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson looks at floral tributes at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Floral tributes continue to be left outside several locations across the country and the world. Here, on 11th September, at the gates of Buckingham Palace, the crowds continue to gather and leave flowers and other tributes.
Six-year-old Terezka Cernianska leaves flowers at the gates of Balmoral in Scotland, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Large crowds gather to show their respect along the A90, Forfar, as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is taken to Edinburgh.
Floral tributes left next to a fountain in St James' Park outside Buckingham Palace.