Westminster Abbey’s tenor bell tolled 96 times
London: Monday finally marked the end of the second Elizabethan age.
Westminster Abbey’s tenor bell tolled 96 times, once for each year of Queen Elizabeth II’s life, before her coffin was carried in for the state funeral. The service began after the epic line of devoted mourners who had spent four days filing past her coffin was halted and more than a week of ceremonies steeped in ancient tradition came to a close.
Toward the end of the hour-long service, the last post-bugle call sounded. The Reveille bugle call, the British national anthem, and a lament played by the queen’s piper ended the ceremony at noon.
The Queen’s funeral was attended by many world leaders, diplomats, and celebrities from across the globe. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill were seated 14 rows back at the service while India was represented by the newly elected President Droupadi Murmu.
A private burial took place late Monday in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, conducted by the Dean of Windsor, the official website of the royal family said. “The Queen was buried together with the Duke of Edinburgh,” a statement said, referring to her husband of 73 years Prince Philip who died last year.
Thousands gathered near Windsor Castle, where the queen’s coffin was laid to rest, watched the unfolding ceremony on huge screens erected for the momentous occasion. And many had tears in their eyes.
