Rabat – Today, September 19, is a solemn day for the UK as the funeral of the recently deceased Queen Elisabeth II takes place at Westminster Abbey, an iconic building located in London, the resting place for 3,000 Great Britons.

For the vast majority of Britons, it is essential to commemorate today not just as an occasion of mourning the UK’s longest-serving monarch, but also as an opportunity to remember and celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s full and successful life.

The funeral should be, many in the British media and political class have suggested, an occasion to “pay some respect” in loving remembrance of the longest reigning monarch who led the United Kingdom for an admirable 70 years.

Queen Elizabeth II made an impact worldwide, and this is being reflected today as around 2000 guests were invited to file into Westminster Abbey, where the Archbishop of Canterbury led the service. The BBC ran live coverage of the pinnacle of the ceremony, the religious commendation that is the moment in which the Queen is entrusted to God.

The Journey to Westminster Abbey

The bell at Westminster Abbey will toll 96 times today, a symbol of each year of the Queen’s life, just one of the many details of the ceremony dedicated to respecting Her Majesty.

The coffin that traveled by Gun Carriage this morning was originally planned to be pulled by horses. However, this plan was altered for fears of the horses being spooked in turn risking the carriage’s safe arrival. Instead, 142 Sailors from the Royal Navy were selected to draw the Gun Carriage.

The carriage itself has an impressive history as it was used to carry Winston Churchill’s coffin in 1965 as well as Queen Elizabeth’s father George VI when he passed in 1952, making the choice a sentimental tribute to show how the Queen is now once again close to her family that have passed before her.

The funeral ceremony

As the seats of the historic Westminster Abbey began to fill with global icons, royals, and world leaders, including Morocco’s Prince Moulay Rachid, to pay his respects as the representative of the kingdom of Morocco.

The Gun Carriage arrived at the Westminster Abbey holding Her Majesty’s coffin elegantly draped in the Royal Standard and the Imperial State Crown laid on top, alongside the encrusted Sovereign orb and scepter, as the rest of the Abbey was silenced and rose as the sound of the choir began to welcome in the Queen to her final farewell.

Following the circle of life, the Queen’s coffin was brought into the 13th-century building in which she was borne and married, a safe and holy space where she lived out some of her most monumental milestones. The majestically decorated coffin traveled through the nave and quire of the Abbey before it was placed on the platform for the duration of the proceedings.

Hymns, and readings that were specifically planned to honor the great memory of Queen Elizabeth II followed. One of these was a hymn based on Psalm 23, which was played at the Queen’s wedding in 1947, a poignant symbol.

The Archbishop commented on how the Queen followed through on her promise to lead the nation with grace and diligence, “a promise that is rarely so well kept.”

He noted in his sermon: “Few leaders have received such an outpouring of love as we have seen from the Queen’s death.” Arguing that the royal family grieves today as every family grieves at a funeral, the Archbishop said they grieve under the “brightest spotlight” and urged the public to humanize their loss.

Final memorial ceremony

A two-minute silence rippled throughout the UK at 11:55 am, a subtle urging for all British subjects to take time to remember their Queen and her life.

Before the Queen’s coffin was transitioned towards its final destination at Windsor Castle, it followed the route passing through The Mall, Parliament Square, and Buckingham Palace — eventually ending up at its final renowned location, the historic 18th- century Wellington Arch which sits between Hyde Park Corner and Green Park.

Streets that would normally be bustling and loud had a different, solemn atmosphere today as the royal procession marched through them for a total of 45 minutes. The general public stood in silence as the coffin passed by them signifying their respect and remembrance for their late Queen.

In the afternoon the coffin was transported to Windsor Castle, where a smaller-scale memorial service proceeded at St George’s Chapel situated in the Windsor Castle complex.

By this evening, Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest in peace in the Royal Vault alongside her late husband and family members. Only an intimate selection of close family are invited to witness the Queen’s burial at Windsor.