London is gearing up for the Queen’s state funeral on Monday. About a million visitors are expected. The first heads of state and government, including US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have already arrived in the British capital.
They were welcomed by King Charles III on Saturday. receive. US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill will visit Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin on Sunday and then attend a reception at Buckingham Palace. Among others, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern are expected. Hundreds of monarchs, heads of state and government from around the world attend the funeral.
Preparations in full swing
The police, secret services and anti-terrorist units have been preparing and checking for days to ensure the safety of the participants. In addition, Monday’s state funeral is also likely to be a logistical challenge. “We are prepared for one of the busiest days Transport for London has ever seen. It’s difficult to say exactly how many additional people will travel, but we expect a potential of one million people,” said head Andy Byford.
Around 250 additional train connections are planned around the state funeral, including some night trains. In addition, motorway closures throughout England are being suspended so as not to overload the transport network.
Start 12.00 o’clock
The state funeral begins Monday at noon (CEST) with a service at Westminster Abbey. The coffin is then taken in a procession to Wellington Arch. The route goes past The Mall and Buckingham Palace. The actual burial then takes place in Windsor, west of London, where the coffin is transported in a hearse. The Queen is buried next to her husband Prince Philip, who died last year.
The State Funeral will be shown in around 125 cinemas across the UK, as well as parks, squares and cathedrals. Many cinema shows with free admission are already fully booked. In Austria, ORF 2 will broadcast the “Farewell to Queen Elizabeth II” live from 9 a.m. (to 7 p.m.).
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
