Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday September 10 that the funeral of British Queen Elizabeth II, who died in Scotland on Thursday, will take place on Monday September 19 in London. His son Charles III declared a public holiday for the occasion, after being solemnly proclaimed king by the Accession Council meeting at Saint James’s Palace. Outside and in front of Buckingham, the British followed the ceremony steeped in tradition with strong emotion.
Leaders from around the world are expected for the funeral of the late Elizabeth II, which will take place at Westminster Abbey at 11 a.m. local time (10 a.m. GMT, 12 p.m. Paris), the Duke of Norfolk announced on Saturday, charged royal funerals and coronations.
The Queen’s coffin is due to be transferred from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh on Sunday, before being flown to London on Tuesday. The deceased will then rest in Westminster Hall, the oldest section of the Houses of Parliament, from Wednesday morning of the funeral. This after a procession through the streets of London.
The crowd at the rendezvous for the appointment of Charles III
Britons still gather outside the Royal Family’s various castles to pay tribute to the late Queen, as well as to celebrate his son Charles III. In front of the Saint James Palace, many onlookers gathered to follow the new king proclamation ceremony, by the Board of Accession. All in a great solemn tradition, broadcast for the first time on television.
For many, it was the first time they sang their country’s anthem in its new version: ” God save the king “, and not ” the Queen “. In the crowd, a young woman continues to find it strange, she confides to our special correspondents, Bertrand Haeckler and Daniel Vallot.
It took a little getting used to, but we’ll get used to it. And it was good to sing it for the first time with all these people, here in front of the palace.
Onlookers gathered in front of the palace followed the ceremony on their cell phones. ” I am very moved and very proud that this succession takes place without incident, explains another Briton. I love tradition and don’t mind if it’s a bit outdated. I think sometimes the traditionit keeps things in place. »
” I’m still in shock, I find it hard to tell myself that we have a king and not a queen! But it’s very good, he will get there, he is close to people, and I think he has evolved very well`. VShe’s a good guy. You have to give him a chance », Says a passer-by with a smile.
For now, the new king is very far away heights of popularity reached by his late mother, or even by his eldest son, Prince William. But her accession to the throne, according to a meticulous protocol, seems to reassure the British, helping them to mourn their missing queen.
William, Kate, Harry and Meghan meet passers-by
Miles away, Prince William now heir to the throne, in a poignant tribute to his grandmother, said he would support his father the king “ in every possible way to honor the memory of his grandmother.
At the end of the afternoon, the Prince of Wales, his wife Kate, but also his little brother Harry and the wife of the latter, Meghan, appeared together in front of the gates of Windsor Castle to admire the hundreds of bouquets of flowers left by the public.
An appearance in a symbolic sign of appeasement, while the two brothers have been cold for months. It was also Meghan’s first appearance since the sovereign’s death, and the brothers’ first public appearance together with their wives since March 2020.
“We all thought she was invincible”
The two couples engaged in a walkabout in front of the gates of the castle, shaking hands with the many people gathered. ” We all thought she was invincible “said Prince William to one of them.
The British continued to march in their thousands on Saturday in front of Buckingham Palace to pay their last respects, lay flowers, and greet the new king.
World leaders are expected in London for the funeral. US President Joe Biden notably confirmed his presence on Friday.
The coronation of Charles III will take place for its part at a later date, which is still unknown. Sixteen months had elapsed between Elizabeth’s accession to the English throne in February 1952 and her coronation in June 1953.
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