King Charles III was visibly emotional and appeared to wipe away a tear as he made his way inside Westminster Abbey alongside a concerned Princess Anne for the Queen’s state funeral.
Charles, dressed in military uniform, was teary-eyed as he mournfully watched his mother’s coffin carried into the church for the poignant service.
The Princess Royal glanced at her brother with a worried expression as he stared towards the floor visibly sombre before making his way inside.
The King had moments earlier led the Royal Family in closely following the Queen’s oak coffin as she was placed onto a gun carriage used by her parents before moving through Parliament Square.
Charles was followed by his sons the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex, while his brother Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, appeared to be crying.
Inside the abbey, the King sat at the head of the family alongside the Queen Consort Camilla, Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
Charles also looked emotional during the singing of the national anthem inside the abbey, remaining silent throughout the song while his siblings joined mourners in voice.
He gripped his ceremonial sword and looked downcast as the sound of hymns and prayers filled the historic abbey.
King Charles III looked emotional as he and Princess Anne arrived for the state funeral and burial of Queen
Charles appeared to wipe away a tear as he made his way inside Westminster Abbey behind his mother’s coffin
The new King stared towards the ground momentarily before making his was inside Westminster Abbey for the service
Charles looked close to tears as he followed his mother’s coffin surrounded by members of the Royal Family
Charles looks on as the coffin carrying his mother is carried inside Westminster Abbey for her state funeral
King Charles III walked alongside sister Princess Anne as he led the Royal Family behind the Queen’s coffin
King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla and Princess Anne look towards the Queen’s coffin during the funeral service
Charles was also visibly emotional as a packed Westminster Abbey sang the national anthem during the service
King Charles looks on as he walks behind his mother’s coffin as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey following the service
King Charles is supported by Queen Consort Camilla as he wipes his nose during an emotional service
King Charles III follows behind The Queen’s funeral cortege borne on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy as it leaves Westminster Abbey
Around 2,000 VIPs filled the UK’s most important church, including leaders from around the world, to pay their final respects.
Despite the huge crowds and enormity of the service, silence had earlier fallen as hundreds of pipers and drummers from Regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas and RAF played as the procession made its way towards Westminster Abbey through Parliament Square.
The Queen’s coffin, draped in the Royal Standard flag, was carefully carried inside before it was placed close to the altar with her crown, orb and sceptre on its top.
A card in the flowers on top of the coffin read simply: ‘In loving and devoted memory. Charles R.’
Charles and Camilla walked immediately behind the Queen’s coffin, followed by Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
Also in the party were William and Kate, while George and Charlotte walked with their parents side-by-side in formation, followed by their uncle and aunt Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and other royal family members.
The King wore the Royal Navy No 1 tailcoat with sword, the collar of the Order of the Garter, Order of the Thistle Sash, Order of Merit neck order, Garter Star and Thistle Star.
He also wore full-size medals including the Queen’s Service Order, Coronation Medal, Silver Jubilee Medal, Golden Jubilee Medal, Diamond Jubilee Medal, Platinum Jubilee Medal and a Naval Long Service Good Conduct.
Other medals included Canadian Forces Decoration, The New Zealand Commemorative Medal, and The New Zealand Armed Forces Award.
The wreath which adorned the Queen’s coffin included flowers requested by King Charles.
Cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House, the flowers and foliage were chosen for their symbolism.
In his sermon at the state funeral of the Queen, the Archbishop of Canterbury has told mourners the ‘grief’ felt around the world over her death ‘arises from her abundant life and loving service’, adding: ‘She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.’
King Charles salutes as he departs Wellington Arch following his mother’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey
The coffin was placed near the altar inside a packed Westminster Abbey before the service began
King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward leave Westminster Abbey following the state funeral
The Most Rev Justin Welby said: ‘People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer.
‘But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are forgotten.
‘The grief of this day – felt not only by the late Queen’s family but all round the nation, Commonwealth and world – arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone from us.’
He added: ‘We will all face the merciful judgement of God: we can all share the Queen’s hope which in life and death inspired her servant leadership. Service in life, hope in death.
‘All who follow the Queen’s example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: “We will meet again.”‘
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