When the Queen's coffin is taken to her funeral service at Westminster Abbey it will be carried on a royal navy state gun carriage pulled along by sailors. This royal tradition has been a feature at every funeral for a monarch since Queen Victoria was laid to rest over 100 years ago.
En route from the hall to the abbey, the Queen's coffin was carried on a 123-year-old gun carriage as part of a procession led by the royal family, Palace guards and 138 Royal Navy sailors. They are known as the Sovereign's Guard and are in place to haul the carriage along with a white rope.
The tradition of sailors pulling the coffin was brought in after the horses used to pull Queen Victoria's coffin in 1901 for her funeral were spooked and almost tipped her coffin.
The eight men are from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards which had a close connection with the Queen who held the position of company commander. At the time the British Army said the "very best soldiers" were chosen to carry out this solemn duty. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories?
Almost 100 Royal Naval Ratings, known as a Sovereign's Guard, pulled the gun carriage carrying the Queen's coffin as it was borne from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in the capital, and 40 marched behind, acting as a break.
Following the death of the Queen on September 8 2022, preparations have been in place for her state funeral, which traditionally takes place around ten days after the death of the monarch. Another tradition is that monarchs lie in state for a period of time so that their subjects can pay their respects.
These standard honors include a chaplain, the ceremonial bugler performing the Taps, the ceremonial folding of the flag, a burial flag presentation, and a rifle detail. Full honors include all of standard honors, as well as a military band and an escort platoon that is sized based on rank.
The Queen's coffin (which was made thirty years ago) is thought to weigh anywhere between 250kg and 317kg, due to it being made from oak with brass fittings and lead lining – which is used to slow decomposition. This means an additional two pallbearers are needed to carry it.
Queen Elizabeth II will be buried in an English oak coffin featuring brass handles that were designed more than 30 years ago, and lined with lead. It is estimated the coffin weighs between 250kg and 317kg.
The pallbearers were chosen from the Grenadier Guards because of their duty to the monarch and their ranking as one of the most senior regiments. "It's their role to protect her body, both in life and in death, remaining the Queen's Company until King Charles decides otherwise.
"It was a rollercoaster of emotions," she said. "I felt nervous at first but it was natural after the first pull." The gun carriage was pulled by 142 Royal Navy sailors to Westminster Abbey and later on to Wellington Arch.
The gun carriage was first used for the funeral of Queen Victoria in 1901 and has since become a tradition. The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II gives a starring role to the gun carriage and the sailors who will guide it to Westminster Abbey.
A crew of 98 Royal Navy sailors, known as the Sovereign's Guard, use white rope to haul the state gun carriage on which the Queen's coffin is placed.
In full military uniform, Princes William and Harry will stand guard at the Queen's coffin in London on Saturday. Their parents had earlier gone through an emotional vigil at the Queen's lying-in-state in Westminster Hall.
“Coffins are normally sealed by screwing the lid into the sides but that does not form an airtight seal. “The modern process would be to zinc-line [the coffin]. Zinc is much thinner than lead, and more malleable.
Lance Sergeant Alex Turner, Lance Corporal Tony Flynn, Lance Sergeant Elias Orlowski, Guardsman Fletcher Cox, Guardsman James Patterson, Lance Sergeant Ryan Griffiths, Guardsman Luke Simpson, and Guardsman David Sanderson carried the coffin as millions of people watched the funeral last September.
The lead-lined English wood casket for Prince Philip was made to match the casket for the Queen. But why a lead-lined casket? As a royal tradition, a lead-lined casket is used to help preserve the body for extended periods of time.
It was transported by 138 naval ratings, with 98 pulling, in front of the carriage, and 40 behind, braking, with 4 officers walking alongside the 40 brakers, 4 officers walking alongside the pullers, and 2 further officers leading the 138.
Prince Harry and Prince William Flank the Queen's Coffin at Her Vigil. The brothers stood together to honor their late grandmother.
Soldier Queen coffin: Soldier Jack Burnell-Williams, who walked beside Queen Elizabeth II's coffin, found dead at army barracks - The Economic Times.
Your suit should be a dark color, preferably black. If you don't own a black suit, a dark gray, charcoal or navy blue suit is okay as well. What's most important is choosing a muted color that doesn't distract from the occasion.
Is burial at sea provided by the Navy or the National Cemetery Administration? The U.S. Navy provides burial at sea. The National Cemetery Administration can't perform this type of committal service. For information, call the U.S. Navy Mortuary Affairs office at 866-787-0081.
Because a funeral is often a somber occasion, it's best to choose clothes that reflect that. Your clothing does not have to be all black. It's common for funeral attendees to wear navy blue, dark grey, violet, and many other colors.
Princess Margaret is the only senior royal member to have ever been cremated. She died in 2002 and did not have a traditional procession for her coffin to her final resting place, reports MyLondon. Instead, she was cremated in Berkshire - the Slough Crematorium.
Can I attend the Queen's funeral? No, unless you're one of 2,000 guests specifically invited to attend at Westminster Abbey. You can head to The Mall, though. The bollards will be removed to make space for well-wishers.