Part of Queen's funeral service that ends her reign is being televised in historical first
Cameras at Windsor Castle will document the events that mark the end of Queen Elizabeth II's reign for the first time in history.
The Queen has been moved to Windsor Castle following the state funeral at Westminster Abbey, ready for her burial alongside her mother and father, the ashes of her sister, and her husband, Prince Philip.
Ahead of the private burial at 7.30pm, a televised Committal Service at 4.00pm will take place in the castle's St. George's Chapel, attended by the royal family as well as past and present members of the Queen’s household.
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The service is conducted by the Dean of Windsor, with songs being sung by the Choir of St George’s Chapel. The Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre will be removed from the coffin prior to the final hymn, and after the last song is sung, King Charles III will place The Queen's Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards, the flag which is specific to the Queen, on his mother's coffin.
During her time as monarch, the Queen held the position of Company Commander of the Grenadier Guards’ Queen’s Company.
At the same time that the flag is placed on the coffin, the Lord Chamberlain Baron Parker, the most senior official in the Queen’s royal household, will 'break' his Wand of Office and place it on the coffin.
The wand is a thin, white staff that traditionally was used a way of providing discipline to courtiers, with the Lord Chamberlain able to use the staff to tap them as a warning to behave.
By 'breaking' the wand, the Lord Chamberlain will officially signify the end of his service to the Queen as sovereign.
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Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, all of which has been shown live on television in the UK, marks the first time the 'breaking' of the wand can be witnessed by the public. The last time the act took place was at the funeral of King George VI, on 15 February 1952.
Following the ceremonial move, the Queen's coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault while the Dean of Windsor recites a psalm.
The singing of the National Anthem will mark the end of the service, but the events are set to continue into the evening with the private burial service conducted by the Dean of Windsor.
Earth scattered on the coffin is taken from the royal mausoleum at Frogmore, and the Queen will finally be laid to rest in the King George VI memorial chapel.
Emily Brown