What is a state funeral and who has had one in the UK?

Buckingham Palace has announced that Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place on Monday, September 19.

The Queen died on Thursday, September 8, after 70 years on the throne. He was 96 years old.

The royal protocol outlines the state in which the nation enters. Mourningbut there are also several procedures surrounding member funerals. Royal Family.

In contrast to Prince PhilipWho had a royal funeral, the queen There will be a state funeral, usually reserved for sovereigns.

But what exactly is an official funeral and who does it? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is a state funeral?

A state funeral is usually reserved for monarchs and is a way to honor the life of a sovereign.

It usually begins with the body of the deceased being carried on a gun carriage, pulled by Royal Navy sailors instead of horses, as part of a military procession, from a private chapel of rest to the House of the Leads to Westminster Hall. Parliament

This is usually followed by another procession to Westminster Abbey or St Paul’s Cathedral, depending on where the service is.

After this, the heads of state are given a 21-gun salute.

The Earl Marshal is responsible for conducting a state funeral with the support of the College of Arms.

Who is entitled to a state burial?

A head of state is always entitled to a state funeral.

However, other people can be given a state funeral with the monarch’s approval and a vote in Parliament, which requires them to be considered an “extraordinarily distinguished” person and then vote on money to fund it. .

Who had a state funeral in Britain?

In the UK, those who have had official burials include heads. Winston Churchill (1965) and former Prime Ministers William Gladstone and Lord Palmerston, who were given state funerals when they died in 1898 and 1865 respectively.

The Duke of Wellington was given a state funeral in 1852 and Lord Nelson was given a funeral after his death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1806.

Monarchs who have had state funerals include Queen Victoria (1901), King Edward VII (1910), King George V (1936) and King George VI (1952).

How does a state funeral differ from a royal funeral?

There is not much difference between the two types of funerals. For example, both include a gun carriage to carry the casket and the participation of domestic and foreign state representatives.

Additionally, both may involve lying in state, a tradition where the body of the deceased is placed in a state building for the public to pay their respects.

A minor difference between the two funerals includes the coffin being pulled by horses in a royal funeral as opposed to sailors from the Royal Navy.

However, the main difference is who organizes the funeral. For example, formal royal funerals are the responsibility of the Lord Chamberlain – the highest official in the royal household, while state funerals are the responsibility of the Earl Marshal.

Those who have attended royal funerals include Princess Diana in 1997 and the Queen Mother in 2002.

Where are the members of the royal family buried?

Traditionally, members of the royal family are buried in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Royal family members buried there include Queen Victoria, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth I and the Queen Mother.