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Kate and Sophie Wessex to Accompany Queen’s Funeral Procession; Meghan Excluded by Charles

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Updated on June 30, 2023

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Buckingham Palace has unveiled additional details for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth, scheduled for next Monday, as the nation prepares to bid a final farewell.

In a historic occasion, Kate and Sophie Wessex are expected to join the Queen’s funeral procession by car, according to recently disclosed plans.

King Charles will lead members of the royal family in walking behind the late monarch’s coffin as it is transported from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey during the state funeral.

Among the royals traveling by car are Kate, William, and the Countess of Wessex, who was regarded as a second daughter by the late Queen.

Meghan, however, has been excluded from participating by Charles.

While the coffin is carried during the procession on a 123-year-old gun carriage, pulled by 98 Royal Navy sailors using ropes, a tradition dating back to Queen Victoria’s funeral, the assembled pipes and drums of Scottish and Irish regiments, the Brigade of Kirkers, and the Royal Air Force, totaling 200 musicians, will lead the way.

The congregation will begin entering Westminster Abbey from 8 a.m. before the service, conducted by the Dean of Westminster, commences at 11 a.m.

Inside the central London church, approximately 2,000 individuals, including world leaders and foreign royals, will gather to bid farewell to the beloved late Queen, who had been involved in planning her own state funeral.

Notable figures such as US President Joe Biden and French leader Emmanuel Macron are expected to attend the ceremonial event.

At 10:44 a.m. on Monday, the coffin will be transported to Westminster Abbey for the service.

Key moments during the funeral will include the sounding of the last post at 11:55 a.m., signaling the conclusion of the service.

Following this, a two-minute national silence will be observed by the congregation and millions across the UK.

Already, thousands of mourners have paid their respects to the Queen as she lies in state at Westminster Hall.

Presently, estimated queue times are nine hours, with the line stretching 4.9 miles as Britons flock to show their condolences.

However, the public has been cautioned that queue times could exceed 30 hours, depending on the time and day.

A live stream is available for viewers to monitor the progress of the queue.

Although the line is moving at a rate of approximately 0.5 miles per hour, even those near the front are facing significant wait times.

The total length the queue can reach is 6.9 miles, but an additional three miles of queue infrastructure has been installed at the beginning and end.

Consequently, the total distance of the queue now amounts to nearly 10 miles.

Individuals are advised to dress appropriately and bring essentials such as food and water, although these items must be discarded before entering Westminster Hall.

Approximately 500 portable toilets and water stations are accessible to those waiting in the queue.

While clear water bottles are permitted inside Westminster Hall, their contents must be emptied before passing through the security search point.