Two weeks later, it's still hard to believe that after a record-setting 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth is gone. And even now, the royal family and the world continue to mourn such a tremendous loss. On Monday, September 19, Elizabeth was laid to rest 11 days after her death on September 8, allowing those who loved her to say goodbye one final time.
Like any other royal funeral, Queen Elizabeth's was a lengthy one. Over the course of hours, there were ceremonies, processionals, sermons, hymns, and so much more, with sweet little moments sprinkled throughout that showed just how much of an impact the late monarch made on the United Kingdom and the rest of the world.
As we usher in the era of King Charles, we're taking a moment to remember some of the most moving and touching details from the Queen's state funeral. Watched by millions around the world, it's hard to imagine a more fitting sendoff to a woman who dedicated so much of her life to serving her country.
Prince Harry Joined the Rest of the Family
Despite the feud that still seems to be raging between Prince Harry and the royal family, he and wife Meghan Markle were in attendance, spending the day of the funeral with the rest of the royal family. During the march to Westminster Hall, Harry and William walked side by side, much like they did at mother Princess Diana's funeral more than 25 years earlier.
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
Princess Charlotte & Prince George Were There
Though Prince William and Kate Middleton opted to leave their youngest son, 4-year-old Prince Louis, at home with the nanny, Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 7, were both in attendance. Just from seeing their somber faces (and at some points, even their tears), it's easy to see how much their great-grandmother really meant to them both.
Kate Wore the Queen's Jewelry
After wearing Elizabeth's earrings days earlier while meeting with mourners at Sandringham, Kate once again pulled out a piece that had been handed down to her from the late monarch for the funeral as well. The earrings and the pearl choker necklace that the Princess of Wales wore that day both originally belonged to her grandmother-in-law, according to People.
Charlotte Paid Also Tribute With Her Accessories
Charlotte not only wore a hat for the first time, but she was also wearing something else that held special significance: a horseshoe brooch on her coat. People reported that the brooch was a gift to her from the Queen, and represented her great-grandma's lifelong love of horses.
Emotions Were Running High
It goes without saying that funerals are emotional occasions, and that applied to this one, too. Though Meghan Markle was the one who made headlines for her tears, many other royal family members were spotted getting teary at different times of the day, including King Charles himself.
The Coffin Wreath
The wreath on Elizabeth's coffin was created with care under the direction of King Charles, who selected blooms to include that held special meaning to her. Myrtle that had been grown from a piece cut from Elizabeth's wedding bouquet was included on the coffin, and Charles added a note to his mother in his own handwriting that said, "In loving and devoted memory."
Comfort From Uncle Harry
Harry and Charlotte were seated next to each other during the funeral service at Westminster Abbey, and that meant that Harry had the unique opportunity to offer her a little bit of comfort. At one moment during the service, cameras caught Harry flashing his only niece a quick smile.
The Archbishop's Sermon
The Archbishop of Canterbury was the one to give the sermon at Queen Elizabeth's service, and his words left a big impact on those who heard them. Speaking of the way the Queen devoted her life to service, he unforgettably said, "Rarely has such a promise been so well-kept."
Palace Employees Lined the Streets
The Queen's personal staff at both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle lined up outside each residence to pay their respects to Elizabeth as her coffin passed them in the processional. According to what a source told People, her more than 100 staffers were "incandescent with grief" after her death.
Flowers on the State Hearse
The palace staff weren't the only ones who lined up to pay their respects. People from all over the UK came to line the path that the State Hearse that carried the Queen's coffin took after the service. By the time the car arrived at Windsor Castle, it was covered in flowers that had been thrown by mourners as it passed.
Charlotte's Sisterly Advice
During the funeral, Charlotte was the one to make sure her older brother George (and the future king) kept to royal protocol — something her great-grandmother likely would have been very proud of. She was seen telling George, "You need to bow," when Elizabeth's coffin passed by them as it was pulled by a horse-drawn carriage.
Elizabeth's Piper's Moment
During the funeral service, Warrant Officer Paul Burns, Elizabeth's piper, played "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep," in a moment that was a tear-jerker for many. Traditionally, the piper plays a 15-minute song each morning under the Queen's balcony, with only 17 people filling that role since Queen Victoria started the tradition in the 1800s.
The Corgis' Goodbye
Queen Elizabeth had famously loved and cared for corgis throughout her life until the end, so it makes sense that her pets were among those there to mourn her at Windsor Castle. Here, Muick and Sandy are seen waiting to watch the Queen's coffin pass to say a final goodbye.
Another Four-Legged Friend
Much like her love for dogs, the Queen also had a love for horses, so it was no surprise that her fell pony, Emma, was waiting as her coffin arrived at Windsor Castle so that Elizabeth could pass her one more time. Even more touching was the fact that one of the scarves the Queen wore when riding was draped across the saddle.
Reunited With Her Family
Following a long day of services and ceremonies — and 10 full days of processionals in both Scotland and England and lying in state — Queen Elizabeth was finally laid to rest. As the palace confirmed, Elizabeth was buried with her late husband Prince Philip, who died in April 2021; her father, King George VI; Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother; and sister Princess Margaret.
