St. George’s Chapel erupted in a version of ‘God Save the Queen’ as an ancient ceremony known as the ‘breaking of the wand’ signified the end of the Queen’s reign.
In a solemn ritual, the Lord Chamberlain, who controls a large portion of the royal household, snapped his Wand of Office and placed it on the Queen’s coffin before lowering it into the Royal Vault.
The breaking of the staff, which was traditionally used to punish obnoxious courtiers, signals the conclusion of his duty to the Queen.
Under his new responsibilities as king, King Charles III will now designate his own Lord Chamberlain to oversee the position.
The gesture, which occurred at the Queen’s burial, was last performed more than seventy years ago at George VI’s funeral, but this was the first time it had ever been broadcast on television.
After her crown, orb, and sceptre were removed from her casket so she may descend into her grave “as a simple Christian soul,” the Queen was placed to rest alongside her beloved husband, Prince Philip.
The Lord Chamberlain breaks his Wand of Office in a symbolic moment of the Queen’s abdication.
This broken staff signals the conclusion of his duty to the Queen. Under his new responsibilities as king, King Charles III will now pick his own Lord Chamberlain to manage the position.
The last time the gesture was performed was more than seventy years ago at George VI’s funeral, but this was the first time it had ever been shown on television.
Lord Chamberlain put the broken staff on the casket of the Queen, signifying the end of his service to her. Following this, the casket was lowered into the Royal Vault.
The Royal Family stood as the Queen was carefully lowered into the royal crypt at the conclusion of the brief service as the Dean of Windsor recited, “Go forth on thy journey from this world, O Christian soul.”
In addition, he presented the commendation, which is a prayer in which the departed is committed to God’s mercy.
Prior to the Queen’s staff of office being snapped, the Dean had put her crown and other crown jewels on the altar, indicating her separation from her duties in death.
The King of Arms of the Garter then announced the styles and titles of the Queen before transferring all power to her son, the King.
Charles was deeply upset as the casket was lowered, as he did throughout the day as he bid farewell to his mother, the 12th British monarch to be interred at Windsor.
Her Majesty’s long journey to her final resting place – and to be reunited with the Duke of Edinburgh – began on the day of her death in Balmoral eleven days ago and will conclude with her private interment at the castle’s St George’s Chapel this evening, where the King will scatter earth on his mother’s coffin at 7.30pm during a private family service.
Following the longest-reigning queen inside the historic church were Charles III, her children and grandchildren, including Prince William and Prince Harry.
St George’s was where the Queen sat alone during Prince Philip’s burial last year – one of the most affecting images of the epidemic – and where she had liked to worship for so many years when in Windsor.
Following her state funeral at Westminster Abbey, the Queen’s coffin is lowered into the royal crypt at St. George’s Chapel, where she is laid to rest for forever.
The Crown Jewels were poignantly removed from the coffin to signify the end of the Queen’s reign.
The King appears affected as her mother is laid to rest during the funeral service.
The awestruck monarch then turned away as he bid farewell to his mother, and her authority and titles were transferred to him.
As the Royal Family mourns the loss of the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex view her coffin.
Princess Charlotte pointed and whispered to her mother as Harry and Meghan observed the removal of the crown jewels.
The Sussexes and the Welsh sing as Her Majesty the Queen’s monarchical insignia and titles are eliminated.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom rests in George’s Chapel, Windsor.
The royal family was unified in their grief, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex momentarily reuniting with the family they had left; but, as the Queen’s son the Earl of Wessex stated in his tribute, in death, as in life, they shared their “loving mama” with others.
Hundreds of thousands lined the route of the Queen’s funeral procession from Westminster Hall, where she lay in state, to her state funeral and burial ceremonies at Windsor Castle.
Her state hearse arrived at the royal stronghold covered in flowers, after mourners along the route had cheered and applauded at the sight of the Queen.
Over the course of four days, a river of mourners streamed past the Queen’s casket while she lay in state.
As the procession approached the grounds of Windsor Castle, there were moving moments, including the Queen’s fell pony Emma, held by her stud groom and manager, standing a few feet from the coffin.
The Royal Family and European royals observe as the casket is transported to the altar.
Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin is carried inside St. George’s Chapel through the central aisle of the nave to the catafalque.
Lena Tindall, Zara Tindall, Mia Tindall, the Duchess of Sussex, the Duke of Sussex, Princess Charlotte, the Princess of Wales, Prince George, and the Prince of Wales stand in front of Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin, which is draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s orb and sceptre.
The Queen bids farewell to Princess Charlotte, the Princess of Wales, Prince George, and the Prince of Wales.
Charles, Camilla, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward attended the service together.
Today, the choir sings gravely as the Queen embarks on her final and most tragic voyage.
Her two corgis Muick and Sandy, gifts from her son the Duke of York, waited in the royal residence’s quadrangle as the burial procession passed.
In addition to being the head of state, the Queen was also a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and a handwritten note from the King was attached to the wreath that adorned her coffin.
The text stated: “In loving and respectful remembrance R. Charles “.
Charles commissioned the floral tribute, which substituted a wreath of Balmoral flowers with leaves and blooms from the grounds of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, and Highgrove.
After following the coffin to his seat with his family, King Charles sits with them.
Prince Charles and the Queen Consort enter at St. George’s Chapel as he prepares to inter his mother.
William, Kate, George, and Charlotte step aside and direct Prince Harry and Meghan to their seats.
The body of Queen Elizabeth II is carried while her family, including Charles III and Prince William (left), looks on.
Queen Elizabeth II arrives at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, where she will be interred.