Members of the public will be able to pay their final respects to the Queen Mother in the St George’s Chapel at Windsor from Wednesday. The British royal matriarch was laid to rest there on Tuesday, in a service attended by close family members. The chapel is to remain open to the public until Friday, April 19.
Following a grand funeral at Westminster Abbey, more than a million mourners lined the route of the Queen Mother’s cortege as it made its way to Windsor for the interment. Around the world, up to 300 million television viewers tuned in to a moment of history. As the procession passed, many of those lining the road threw flowers on the hearse, some crossed themselves, and others bowed their heads. The car carrying the Prince of Wales followed close behind, honoring Charles’ personal pledge to his beloved grandmother by accompanying her on her final journey to Windsor.
Her coffin was laid to rest in Windsor’s St George’s Chapel – which is the traditional resting place of the Windsor family – alongside that of her husband King George VI, who died 50 years ago. The ashes of her younger daughter Princess Margaret – who died eight weeks ago – will be placed next to her.
After the burial service, Prince Charles flew to the Royal Family’s private retreat at Balmoral, north-east Scotland, said a Palace spokesman. The Prince will spend at least a week at the Queen Mother’s private home at Birkhall, on the fringe of the royal estate, resting and reflecting. During the funeral service at Westminster Abbey, the Prince was clearly desolated at the loss of his grandmother, whom he treated as a close confidant. The return to Birkhall will be an emotional one as the heir to the throne spent many happy times with her there. His spokesperson said it was unlikely he would be joined by either of his sons, Princes William and Harry.
The Queen’s wreath to her mother of white roses and sweet peas has been placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Westminster Abbey by the Dean of Westminster. This echoes a spontaneous gesture by the Queen Mother on her wedding in 1923, when she placed her bouquet on the tomb to honor her brother, Fergus, who died during World War One.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
The St George's Chapel inside Windsor Castle is the traditional resting place of the Windsor family. On Tuesday, the Queen Mother's coffin was placed there alongside that of her husband, King George VI, in a private interment attended by close family
Photo: © Alphapress.com
More than a million mourners lined the route from Westminster to Windsor. As the cortege passed, some threw flowers, while others crossed themselves or simply bowed their headsPhoto: Reuters/Darren Staples
Photo: © Alphapress.com
The Queen's wreath to her mother was placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, echoing a spontaneous gesture made by the Queen Mother on her wedding day in 1923 when she placed her bouquet on the tomb in honour of her brother, Fergus, who was killed in World War One
