Tearful King Charles leads Royal Family as Queen’s coffin is taken into Westminster Abbey | The Sun

THE King led the Royal Family as they walked in solemn procession behind the Queen's coffin at her historic state funeral.

Charles, 73, appeared to wipe away a tear as he followed his late mother being carried into Westminster Abbey.

Her Majesty's casket is draped in the Royal Standard flag, and topped with her Crown, Orb and Sceptre.

Her children – Charles, Andrew, Anne and Edward – marched slowly behind, followed by Princes William and Harry.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners lined the streets ahead of today's emotional service – the climax of what has been described as the biggest security operation the UK has ever seen.

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Some dedicated royal fans have even been camping out since Friday to bag the best spots – and by 9am, all public viewing areas along the procession route were full.

They are all hoping to catch one last glimpse of Her Majesty before she makes her way from London to Windsor to be reunited with her husband Prince Philip, who died last year aged 99.

Billions more are tuning in from pubs, cinemas, outdoor big screens, cathedrals and their living rooms across the globe to experience the once-in-a-lifetime event – expected to be the most watched broadcast of all time.

It comes as…

• It was revealed Prince George and Princess Charlotte will attend the Queen's funeral
• King Charles said he had been "deeply touched" by the nation's outpouring of love following the death of his mother
• A mum and a daughter were the last of 400,000 mourners to join the queue to see Her Majesty lying in state
• Princess Kate sat down with Ukraine first lady Olena Zelensky to reinforce the UK's commitment to Ukraine
• The order of service for Her Majesty's funeral was revealed
• Prince Louis, 4, was said to be "struggling to understand" the death of his grandmother
• PM Liz Truss led a minute's silence across Britain as Big Ben tolled in solemn remembrance of the Queen.
• Camilla last night recalled Her Majesty’s “wonderful blue eyes” and "unforgettable" smile in a touching TV tribute

Some 2,000 people – including heads of state, prime ministers, presidents and European royals – have gathered at Westminster Abbey to remember the late monarch from 11am.

The world has literally come together – from US President Joe Biden to France's Emmanuel Macron, and Emperor of Japan Naruhito to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Also among them is George and Charlotte, walked behind their grandmother's coffin as it is carried through the Gothic church by the military bearer party.

Their parents, William and Kate, both 40, are said to believe it important they attend the historic occasion and say a proper goodbye to the woman they called "Gan Gan".

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The King and the Queen Consort marched immediately behind the casket, followed by the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

George, nine, and seven-year-old Charlotte walked with their parents in a side-by-side formation, followed by their uncle and aunt the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and other members of the royal family.

Prince Louis, four, the youngest of the Wales children, is not present.

Before the service, conducted by the Very Rev David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster, the tenor bell tolled every 60 seconds for 96 minutes, reflecting the years of the life of the Queen, who passed away "peacefully" at Balmoral on September 8, sparking an outpouring of grief around the world.

He will say in the bidding: "Here, where Queen Elizabeth was married and crowned, we gather from across the nation, from the Commonwealth, and from the nations of the world, to mourn our loss, to remember her long life of selfless service."

The Queen's Piper, Warrant Officer Class 1 (Pipe Major) Paul Burns, will play the traditional lament Sleep, Dearie, Sleep after The Last Post, two minutes' silence, Reveille and the national anthem.

At 12.15pm, the coffin will be taken in procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch and then travel to Windsor.

The hearse will then travel in procession to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle via the Long Walk, after which a televised committal service will take place in St George's Chapel at 4pm.

The Dean of Windsor will conduct the service, with prayers said by the Rector of Sandringham, the Minister of Crathie Kirk and the Chaplain of Windsor Great Park.

The chapel's choir will sing, and after the penultimate hymn, the imperial state crown, the orb and the sceptre will be moved from the Queen's coffin to the altar.

After the final hymn, the King will place the Queen's Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on the coffin, while the Lord Chamberlain breaks his Wand of Office and places it on the coffin.

The Dean of Windsor will say a psalm and the Commendation while the coffin is lowered into the royal vault.

After this, the Sovereign's Piper will play a lament and the Archbishop of Canterbury will pronounce the blessing, before the congregation sings the national anthem.

Later in the evening, there will be a private interment service with senior members of the royal family.

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The Queen's final resting place will be the King George VI memorial chapel, an annex to the main chapel where her mother and father were buried, along with the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret.

Philip's coffin will move from the royal vault to the memorial chapel to join the Queen's.

All you need to know after Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96

THE nation is in mourning after beloved Queen Elizabeth dies aged 96 – here is all you need to know about Her Majesty’s glorious life and what’s next.

• When is the Queen's funeral?
• What happens now the Queen has died?
• How old was the Queen when she died?
• What is the mourning period for the Queen?
• What is the new line of succession?
• Will there be a bank holiday on the day of the Queen's funeral?
• When can royal fans visit the Queen's coffin?
• Where will the Queen be buried?
• Why is 'London Bridge is down' the secret code?
• What is D-Day?
• Who are the Queen's grandchildren?

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