Wednesday, November 6, 2024

UK bids adieu to the Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth II laid to rest after historic funeral attended by world leaders

News Desk : dhakamirror.com

Queen Elizabeth II offered her services and devotion to the nation, and in return the country bid a heartfelt farewell to the late monarch on Monday.

Before Elizabeth was laid to rest at Windsor Castle, the entire United Kingdom came to a standstill for the state funeral.

Hundreds of thousands of well-wishers lined the route her hearse took from London, throwing flowers, cheering and clapping as it passed from the city to the English countryside that she so loved much.

Many more had crammed into the capital to witness the procession and funeral, in a moving tribute to Britain’s longest-serving monarch who won global respect during 70 years on the throne.

King Charles III was visibly moved throughout the service and looked close to tears as the national anthem was sung, echoing off the eaves of the gothic Westminster Abbey.

He added a personal touch with a wreath that adorned the queen’s coffin and a handwritten note. The message said: “In loving and devoted memory.”

For the royals, who sat facing the crowned heads and representatives of Europe’s regal families from across the continent, the splendour of the moment was also one of personal sadness.

The future heir, Prince George, 9, was comforted by his mother, the Princess of Wales, who put a caring hand on his knee during the service.

Inside the majestic Westminster Abbey where the funeral was held, some 500 presidents, prime ministers, foreign royal family members and dignitaries, including Joe Biden of the United States, were among the 2,000 congregation. It was the largest gathering of royals this century.

In the religious service, the Archbishop of Canterbury said that the grief felt around the world arose from her abundant life.

“She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives,” said Justin Welby. “People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer.

“We can all share the queen’s hope which in life and death inspired her servant leadership. All who follow the queen’s example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: ‘We will meet again’.”

Flowers ranged from bouquets of red roses and pink lilies to potted plants and wreaths from foreign royals. Those picked from the significant gardens that were treasured by the queen included lilies, dahlias, roses, and greenery including Eucalyptus.

Pallbearers from the Grenadier Guards brought the coffin to the gun carriage and Royal Navy sailors pulled the flag-draped cortege along Whitehall and The Mall, past the gates of Buckingham Palace and under the Wellington Arch. There the coffin was transferred to the state hearse for its departure from London to the royal citadel at Windsor.

Restless children were reined in by their parents, crying babies were shushed and the adults craned their necks as the king’s guards passed the giant black and gold front gates of the palace.

People had secured their spots at the barriers along the route, some days in advance.

Paul, an admirer of the monarchy, was visibly touched by the occasion as he waited alongside his wife Justine and son Alex. The family wore all black as a mark of respect for the queen.

“It was the queen’s dignity and grace and her sense of responsibility that I always admired,” he said. “She had a kind of unique life.”

Louis Bollard, dressed in a union flag, watched the queen’s funeral on the big screens in Hyde Park.

“The funeral was very powerful,” he said. “Seeing it was quite enchanting and mesmerising. It was a really, really nice, fitting tribute.”

Across the country people used the public holiday to watch the funeral on big screens in public squares and with friends and family in private gatherings. More than one million travelled to London.

A major power cut on the railways west of London left thousands stranded unable to get to the capital. For those stuck on trains, mobile phones were tuned into the events in Westminster.

Gaby Thomas, 29, who travelled from Castle Cary, Somerset, with her father, said she had been scheduled to arrive hours before the funeral began.

“My dad is a former naval officer and he wanted to see the procession and the military involved,” she said. “It’s just about being there. We are still hoping to catch the end of the procession.

“It’s a typical British thing to happen.”

Smoother arrangements were in evidence early on Monday when dozens of world leaders gathered in Chelsea to be taken by bus to the ceremony. African leaders were among the first, with Sudan’s military leader Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, among them.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rode in a sleek, dark BMW and Italian president Sergio Mattarella arrived in his embassy’s Maserati.

The arrival at St George’s Chapel in Windsor revived memories of the queen marking the death of her husband Prince Philip with very few family members during the Covid-19 pandemic 16 months earlier.

There was a mix of family and statesmen for the queens committal. Among those invited to the service were prime ministers from countries where the queen was head of state, former British prime ministers Sir John Major and Sir Tony Blair, who are Garter Knights, and current premier Liz Truss.

The commemoration concluded with the Imperial State Crown, Orb and Sceptre lifted from the coffin and placed on the altar.

Once the Lord Chamberlain, head of the queen’s household, broke his wand of office on the lid, the coffin was removed to the royal vault.

UK opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer said a woman who ruled for 70 years would always be with those who lived during her reign. “We are lucky to call ourselves Elizabethans,” he said.

– Input from The National was used in this article

Related News

Man crushed to death after trying to take selfie with elephant in India

World Desk : dhakamirror.com A man was trampled to death after trying to take selfie with an elephant on Thursday. Srikant Satre, 23, and two of his friends ventured into the Abapur forest in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli after receiving reports that an elephant had been spotted nearby. Once they saw the elephant, the trio decided to ... Read more

Ratan Tata dies aged 86

World Desk : dhakamirror.com India’s top industrialist and Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata died in a hospital in Mumbai last night, the company said. “It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata ... Read more

Robert F. Kennedy’s widow Ethel Kennedy being treated in hospital after stroke

World Desk : dhakamirror.com Ethel Kennedy, a social justice advocate and the widow of late U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, is recovering in a hospital after suffering a stroke last week, her grandson said in a statement . “I wanted to let you know about my incredible grandmother, Ethel Kennedy. She has had a ... Read more

Woman eaten by shark while on dream diving trip

World Desk : dhakamirror.com An American tourist was eaten by a shark while on a dream diving vacation with friends in Indonesia. The body of Colleen Monfore, of South Dakota, was found inside the shark’s stomach after she was swept out to sea by strong currents, The Sun reported. Monfore, 68, and six friends were ... Read more

Dubai princess dumps husband in Instagram post

World Desk : dhakamirror.com Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, took to Instagram on July 16 to share a significant update. She announced her divorce from Sheikh Mana Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Bin Mana Al Maktoum, marking a new chapter in her personal journey. “Dear ... Read more

Mummified body of US climber found 22 years after went missing

World Desk : dhakamirror.com The American man’s mummified remains have been found, 22 years after going missing while climbing a mountain in Peru, police announced on Monday. Peruvian police said ice melt had exposed Stampfl’s mummified and clothed body. He was identified by the passport found among his belongings. William Stampfl, 59, was reported missing ... Read more

12-year-old Isaac Bari graduates from US high school

Heads to college for double degree World Desk : dhakamirror.com Twelve-year-old Suborno Isaac Bari is graduating from Malverne High School in Malverne, New York, Wednesday, making him the youngest scholar to ever graduate from the history of the Nassau County school, according to Malverne Union Free School District. Suborno told “Good Morning America” he’s excited ... Read more

Man buried alive for four days is rescued after police heard his muffled cries

World Desk : dhakamirror.com In a shocking incident in Moldova, police rescued a man who had been buried alive for four days. A 62-year-old man buried alive for four days was saved after cops heard his muffled cries for help coming from underground. The horror came to light only after they were investigating the death ... Read more

Man crushed to death by robot in South Korea

World Desk : dhakamirror.com South Korean media, citing local police, reported that a worker at an agriculture distribution center in South Gyeongsang Province had been killed by a box-lifting robot. The accident at the factory complex occurred late on Tuesday, when the victim, an employee of a robotics company in his forties who was servicing ... Read more

Nobel Peace Prize 2023 awarded to Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi

News Desk : dhakamirror.com This year’s Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to jailed Iranian human rights activist, Narges Mohammadi, for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran. According to the Nobel Prize Committee, Narges Mohammadi’s struggle has come at tremendous personal costs. She has been “arrested 13 times, convicted five times, and ... Read more

Joe Biden’s dog Commander removed from White House after biting staff

World Desk : dhakamirror.com U.S. President Joe Biden’s dog Commander has been removed from the White House after a series of biting incidents. “Commander is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated,” Elizabeth Alexander, communications director for first lady Jill Biden, said in a statement Wednesday. Commander was last seen ... Read more

Man dies, another injured after whale strikes boat near Sydney

World Desk : dhakamirror.com In the early hours of Saturday, a whale reportedly struck a boat off the coast of Sydney, as reported by Australian officials, leaving one man dead and another injured . New South Wales Water Police Acting Superintendent Siobhan Munro said, “Early reports are that a whale may have breached near the ... Read more

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and wife separate

World Desk : dhakamirror.com Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire on Wednesday signed a legal document of separation as they decided to part ways after 18 years of marriage. “Sophie and I would like to share the fact that after many meaningful and difficult conversations we have made the decision to ... Read more

Body of missing mountaineer found after 37 years on melting glacier

World Desk : dhakamirror.com The body of a German climber who has been missing since 1986 has been uncovered on a melting glacier in Switzerland. DNA analysis showed the body was that of a of a German climber, who disappeared 37 years ago. A huge search and rescue operation at the time failed to find ... Read more

Bodybuilder Justyn Vicky dies after 210kg barbell falls on him

The ill-fated incident is said to have happened at The Paradise Gym in Sanur, Bali. World Desk : dhakamirror.com The bodybuilding world mourns the tragic death of talented bodybuilder Justin Vicky, 33. Bali’s fitness community is in shock after learning of the fatal accident at Paradise Gym. The accident occurred during an intense training session ... Read more

Customer mistakenly receives 40 million euros from German bank

World Desk : dhakamirror.com Banks, as a rule, very carefully control the transfers they make every day, since the money deposited there belongs to many people. However, it is inevitable that with so many daily transactions, some errors can happen. Still, what happened at a German bank is hardly a mistake. A person has received ... Read more

Canadian teacher fired from school after OnlyFans account exposed

World Desk : dhakamirror.com A teacher struggling to make ends meet is fighting to get her job back after she was fired for making OnlyFans content, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Kristin MacDonald, 35, was fired after eight years as a teaching assistant in Canada when she received a letter from board officials ... Read more

Silvio Berlusconi leaves €100m to 33-year-old girlfriend in his will

World Desk : dhakamirror.com His two eldest children Marina and Pier Silvio will control his business empire Silvio Berlusconi left a whopping €100 million ($109 million) to his 33-year-old girlfriend Marta Fascina. The three-time Italian prime minister and media mogul died on June 12 at the age of 86 after being hospitalised with chronic leukemia. ... Read more

Three generations of Egyptian family die during Hajj

World Desk : dhakamirror.com An Egyptian pilgrim died during this year’s Haj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. What makes this incident particularly poignant, however, is the fact that both his father and grandfather died during their respective Hajj pilgrimages three and five decades ago. The grieving family, hailing from Beheira Governorate, has been enveloped by ... Read more

OceanGate suspends operations after Titan submersible implosion

World Desk : dhakamirror.com OceanGate, the owner of the ill-fated Titan submersible that imploded during its voyage to the Titanic, resulting in the loss of all five crew members, has announced the suspension of its exploration and commercial operations. The company’s CEO, Stockton Rush, was among those who tragically perished in the disaster last month. ... Read more