Queen Elizabeth II 1926–2022
The final journey London to Windsor, follow the route to the Queen's resting place
The Queen’s funeral will be held in London’s Westminster Abbey. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Large crowds lined the streets of central London on Wednesday to mourn Queen Elizabeth II and witness the first of a series of highly choreographed ceremonial moments honoring the life of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
The plan, codenamed “Operation London Bridge,” covers arrangements for the Queen’s last journey to London and a state funeral. Here is a look at the details.
The Queen’s coffin was flown by the Royal Air Force from Edinburgh to London on Tuesday, accompanied by the Queen’s only daughter, Princess Anne. It was then taken by hearse to Buckingham Palace, where it was met by King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, as well as other members of the royal family.
On Wednesday, a procession took the coffin, adorned with the Imperial State Crown and a flower wreath, on a gun carriage from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster. There, the Queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the palace, until the morning of the state funeral on September 19.
The procession to Westminster HallFollow the route of the procession.
Return to LondonThe Queen’s coffin was flown from Edinburgh to London on Tuesday.
Buckingham PalaceOn Wednesday, the Queen’s coffin traveled in procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster on a gun carriage.
Click below for a 360 view of The State Rooms in Buckingham Palace
The processionThe silent procession set off from Buckingham Palace at 2:22 p.m. (9:22 a.m. ET) and took just over 40 minutes.
Members of the royal family walked behind their beloved matriarch, followed by senior staff from the royal households and some of the Queen’s close personal staff.
The MallAs the coffin left the palace, the procession traveled along The Mall, on a processional route that passes by royal residences Clarence House and St James's Palace.
Click below for a 360 view of The Mall
Horse Guards ParadeThe procession passed the Horse Guards Parade, the setting for the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony held to mark the monarch’s official birthday.
WhitehallIt then turned onto Whitehall, the street that cuts through London’s government district.
Downing StreetIt passed Downing Street and the Cenotaph, the site of the annual National Service of Remembrance, which the Queen personally attended most years.
Click below for a 360 view of Whitehall by Downing Street
Palace of WestminsterAs crowds watched, Big Ben tolled and minute guns were fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery at Hyde Park.
Westminster HallThe coffin finally arrived at Westminster Hall, where the Queen will lie in state for four days.
The Queen's coffin was placed on a raised platform — or catafalque — in the middle of Westminster Hall and is being guarded by officers from the Household Division, the King's Bodyguard or the Royal Company of Archers, in a round-the-clock vigil.
Upon arrival at Westminster Hall, a short service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. From 5 p.m. (noon ET), the hall will remain open 24 hours a day for the public to pay their respects.
The Queen will lie in state until 6:30 a.m. (1:30 a.m. ET) on Monday, the day of the funeral.
Monday, September 19The day of the funeral and the final journey to Windsor
Westminster AbbeyOn the morning of September 19, the coffin will travel in a procession from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, where the state funeral will take place.
Click below for a 360 view inside Westminster Abbey
Procession through LondonAfter the funeral, the coffin will process through the streets of London to Wellington Arch, where the journey to Windsor will begin.
WindsorThe Queen’s coffin will be driven to Windsor, 25 miles west of the capital. Windsor Castle is where the Queen lived for the last two years of her life.
St. George’s ChapelThe coffin will then be taken to St. George’s Chapel within the castle’s grounds.
St. George’s Chapel is where Prince Philip's memorial service was held, as well as more jubilant occasions like the nuptials of the Queen's grandchildren.
Following the service for the Duke of Edinburgh in 2021, his coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault, set below the chapel, where many royal family members have been laid to rest.
However, he is expected to be relocated to lie together with the Queen, his wife of 73 years, in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, located elsewhere within St. George's Chapel.
The George VI Memorial Chapel in St. George's Chapel, Windsor, where the Queen's father and mother were interred. A casket containing the ashes of the Queen's sister, Princess Margaret, is also in the vault.
