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Queen Elizabeth Lies in State at London’s Westminster Hall

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The coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth arrives at Westminster Hall from Buckingham Palace for her lying in state, in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
The coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth arrives at Westminster Hall from Buckingham Palace for her lying in state, in London, Sept. 14, 2022.

A short service has been held at London’s Westminster Hall, where Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II lies in state ahead of her funeral next week.

Elizabeth’s coffin was taken to Westminster Hall on Wednesday in a solemn procession through the streets of London. King Charles III walked behind the gun carriage carrying the queen’s coffin, joined by his sons, William and Harry, and Charles’ siblings, Anne, Andrew and Edward. Adorning the coffin were the royal standard, along with a wreath of flowers and a bejeweled royal crown on a purple cushion.

The coffin traveled from Buckingham Palace where it had remained overnight after being transported to England from Scotland. Big Ben also tolled as Britain paid tribute to the monarch.

In Photos: Solemn Procession of Queen Elizabeth's Coffin to Westminster Hall

Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall, in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
1/22 Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall, in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
People queue to pay their respects to late Queen Elizabeth II who is lying in state at Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022. The queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four days before her funeral on Monday.
2/22 People queue to pay their respects to late Queen Elizabeth II who is lying in state at Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022. The queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four days before her funeral on Monday.
The Imperial State Crown sits on the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
3/22 The Imperial State Crown sits on the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
4/22 The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
Camilla, Queen Consort, and other members of the Royal family stand inside the Palace of Westminster as Queen Elizabeth II lies in state in London, Sept. 14, 2022. 
5/22 Camilla, Queen Consort, and other members of the Royal family stand inside the Palace of Westminster as Queen Elizabeth II lies in state in London, Sept. 14, 2022. 
A woman weeps as she joins people gathered in Hyde Park, London, Sept. 14, 2022, to watch screens broadcasting the procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.
6/22 A woman weeps as she joins people gathered in Hyde Park, London, Sept. 14, 2022, to watch screens broadcasting the procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.
The coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth II is displayed in Westminster Hall, where the queen will be lying in state for four days, Sept. 14, 2022 in London.
7/22 The coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth II is displayed in Westminster Hall, where the queen will be lying in state for four days, Sept. 14, 2022 in London.
King Charles III, Prince William, and Princess Anne salute alongside Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, is carried into the Palace of Westminster, Sept. 14, 2022.
8/22 King Charles III, Prince William, and Princess Anne salute alongside Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, is carried into the Palace of Westminster, Sept. 14, 2022.
King's Troop Royal Artillery fires a salute at Hyde Park in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
9/22 King's Troop Royal Artillery fires a salute at Hyde Park in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
Royal guards march in the procession of the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
10/22 Royal guards march in the procession of the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
Tens of thousands lined London's streets to catch a glimpse of the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
11/22 Tens of thousands lined London's streets to catch a glimpse of the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
The procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II through London, Sept.14, 2022.
12/22 The procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II through London, Sept.14, 2022.
The procession of the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth moves from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
13/22 The procession of the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth moves from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
Royal guards march on the day the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is transported from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
14/22 Royal guards march on the day the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is transported from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
Procession where the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth is transported from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
15/22 Procession where the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth is transported from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II leaves Buckingham Palace for Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
16/22 The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II leaves Buckingham Palace for Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
Grenadier Guards flank the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II during a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
17/22 Grenadier Guards flank the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II during a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
The military procession as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, London, Sept. 14, 2022.
18/22 The military procession as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, London, Sept. 14, 2022.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, adorned with a Royal Standard and the Imperial State Crown, is moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
19/22 The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, adorned with a Royal Standard and the Imperial State Crown, is moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
From left, the Earl of Snowden, Prince William, King Charles III, the Duke of Gloucester, Princess Anne, Prince Harry, Tim Laurence, Prince Andrew, and Peter Phillips follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II.
20/22 From left, the Earl of Snowden, Prince William, King Charles III, the Duke of Gloucester, Princess Anne, Prince Harry, Tim Laurence, Prince Andrew, and Peter Phillips follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, adorned with a Royal Standard and the Imperial State Crown, is pictured during a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
21/22 The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, adorned with a Royal Standard and the Imperial State Crown, is pictured during a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown placed on top, is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, outside Buckingham Palace, London, Sept. 14, 2022.
22/22 The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown placed on top, is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, outside Buckingham Palace, London, Sept. 14, 2022.
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At Westminster Hall, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle, read prayers at the service. Those in attendance for the historic event included the Princess of Wales, Catherine, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and the queen consort, Camilla. Bells rang following the service.

The queen will lie in state for four days in the 11th-century Westminster Hall. The hall will be open 23 hours a day for visitors and be guarded by soldiers from the royal household. Massive crowds are expected.

Elizabeth died September 8 at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands, a place she cherished and where Charles became king. She was 96 years old and had reigned for 70 years. Many Britons celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year.

The queen’s funeral is scheduled for September 19 at Westminster Abbey with numerous world leaders expected to attend. The coffin will then be taken to Windsor for the committal service, where the queen’s husband, Prince Philip, was laid to rest in April 2021.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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