Key moments from the Queen’s funeral that told us about her life

Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral on Monday was a historic moment, witnessed by what was likely the biggest ever gathering of world leaders, foreign dignitaries, members of royal families and faith leaders – but it was also a deeply personal affair that gave the world a glimpse of what the late monarch was like as a mother and a beloved family matriarch.

The Queen’s was the first state funeral Britain has seen since wartime leader Winston Churchill died in 1965, and only the fourth held in the past 100 years.

It was a celebration of the late monarch’s life and a reminder of the many roles she held during her life. The Queen was the head of state in 15 independent countries as well as heading the Commonwealth of Nations. She was the supreme governor of the Church of England, the commander in chief of one of the world’s biggest militaries, the long-time head of one of the world’s most notable royal families as well as a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother.

Personal touches

Despite its very public nature, the service was also a family affair and as such included a number of personal touches.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth's coffin is carried on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, September 19, 2022. REUTERS/Phil Noble/Pool

Related article King Charles leaves handwritten note on top of the Queen's coffin

At no point was this more noticeable than when King Charles III and his siblings entered Westminster Abbey. Walking slowly behind their mother’s coffin, their private grief was suddenly on display not just to the 2,000-strong congregation but also to millions of people watching from around the world.

In a particularly striking moment that no doubt touched the hearts of many watching, two of the Queen’s great-grandchildren, Prince George, aged 9, and Princess Charlotte, 7, took part in the funeral procession.

On top of the Queen’s coffin was a wreath made of flowers and foliage cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace and royal residences Clarence House and Highgrove House. The flower arrangement included myrtle grown from a sprig that was in the Queen’s wedding bouquet.

Alongside the wreath was a handwritten card from the King that read: “In loving and devoted memory. Charles R.”

And in a further personal touch, the funeral music featured a hymn that was also sung at the Queen’s wedding to Prince Philip. The Queen’s husband of 73 years died last year.

Britain's King Charles III places the Queen's Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on the coffin of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during a committal service at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on Monday, September 19.

Prince William looks at his son Prince George as he attends the committal service with his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and their daughter, Princess Charlotte.

The Dean of Windsor, David Conner, places the Imperial State Crown and Orb and Sceptre on an altar during the committal service.

Members of the royal family follow the coffin into St. George's Chapel.

Pallbearers carry the Queen's coffin into St. George's Chapel.

The hearse carrying the coffin drives through Windsor Castle.

The hearse arrives at Windsor.

The hearse carrying the Queen's coffin enters the Windsor Castle grounds.

Flowers cover the hearse carrying the Queen's coffin.

Emma, the Queen's fell pony, stands as the procession passes by at Windsor Castle.

The Queen's coffin can be seen inside a hearse as it is driven along Albert Road in Windsor.

The Queen's corgis, Muick and Sandy, are walked inside Windsor Castle on Monday, ahead of the committal service at St. George's Chapel. They are being adopted by the Duke and Duchess of York.

The Queen's coffin is transported through London after her state funeral.

The King and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, are seen in front of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, as they watch the Queen's coffin be placed into a hearse following Monday's funeral.

Pallbearers transfer the Queen's coffin into a hearse at London's Wellington Arch.

Floral tributes are seen at Windsor Castle on Monday.

A gun carriage transports the Queen's coffin after her funeral service at Westminster Abbey.

The King and his sister, Princess Anne, follow the Queen's coffin after Monday's funeral service.

The Band of the Coldstream Guards plays in London on Monday.

The Queen's funeral procession marches down The Mall after the service at Westminster Abbey.

People in London react while watching the funeral procession.

The Queen's coffin is escorted by Royal Navy sailors as it travels from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch after the funeral.

The Queen's Piper, Pipe Major Paul Burns, plays the traditional piece "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep" at the end of her funeral. For most of her reign, the Queen was roused by the sound of bagpipes played beneath her window -- at all her residences around the country.

Prince William, left, and Prince Harry follow the Queen's coffin during the procession following her funeral.

Pallbearers carry the Queen's coffin during her funeral.

The Queen's coffin is carried into Westminster Abbey.

From left, Prince William; Prince George; Catherine, the Princess of Wales; and Princess Charlotte attend the funeral service.

People in London observe two minutes of silence along with others throughout the country.

A handwritten card placed on top of the Queen's coffin reads, "In loving and devoted memory. Charles R." The "R" in King Charles' title refers to "Rex," which is Latin for king.

British Prime Minister Liz Truss speaks during the funeral service. Truss, who has been prime minister for less than two weeks, read from the Gospel of John.

A guest reads the order of service during the funeral.

From left, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, arrive at Westminster Abbey with Catherine's children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

People cry during the funeral service.

The coffin is carried into Westminster Abbey.

King Charles III, center, and other members of the royal family take part in the funeral procession to Westminster Abbey.

From left, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Camilla, the Queen Consort, are seen in a vehicle outside Westminster Abbey.

Members of the British Armed Forces march during the funeral procession.

The coffin is carried into Westminster Abbey after a short procession from Westminster Hall, where the Queen was lying in state. The coffin was draped with the Royal Standard, and the Instruments of State -- the Imperial State Crown and regalia -- were laid upon it along with a flower wreath.

People stand outside Windsor Castle, where the Queen will be laid to rest.

US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive at Westminster Abbey for the funeral.

Yeoman of the Guard arrive before the Queen's coffin was carried into Westminster Abbey.

Children look through a fence in London, hoping to catch a glimpse of the procession.

A King's Guard soldier crosses The Mall outside Buckingham Palace before the Queen's funeral procession.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, walks outside Westminster Abbey.

Members of the Royal Navy stand outside Westminster Abbey.

People gather in central London before the start of the funeral.

Funeral programs are left on chairs at Westminster Abbey.

The Queen's coffin lies in state early on Monday. Mourners were able to visit Westminster Hall and pay their respects over the last few days.

People camp out on The Mall on the eve of the funeral.

In pictures: The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

Prev Next

Military pomp

The funeral showcased the British military at its ceremonial best, reflecting the fact that as the head of state, the Queen was also the commander in chief – as well as someone who personally served in the armed forces during World War II.

Flanking the Queen’s coffin was the bearer party, which was founded by the Queen’s Company 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and 10 pallbearers made up of former equerries to the Queen, as well as detachments of the King’s Body Guards of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, The Yeomen of the Guard and the Royal Company of Archers.

Thousands of British service members took part in the ceremony, marching through central London to accompany the Queen on her last journey. They were joined by representatives of the armed forces of other countries where the Queen was the head of state.

Prayers for the head of church

The religious part of the service marked the fact that the Queen was the formal head of the Church of England. The Queen herself had been consulted on the order of service, according to Buckingham Palace. The Dean of Westminster prepared the order of service in conjunction with Lambeth Palace, which is the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The moment the nation fell silent

Just before the end of the ceremony, the congregation inside Westminster Abbey – and the nation alongside it – paused to mark the Queen’s death with a moment of silence.

Lining the route of the funeral procession, tens of thousands of people bowed their heads in silence, paying their last respects.

Remembering the Queen, singing for the King

While Monday was all about remembering and celebrating the Queen, there was one moment that underscored the transition that began with the monarch’s death. When the congregation rose to sing the national anthem it was “God save the King,” not “God save the Queen” that sounded throughout the abbey.

To get updates on the British Royal Family sent to your inbox, sign up for CNN’s Royal News newsletter

CNN’s Max Foster, Lauren Said-Moorhouse, Niamh Kennedy and Arnaud Siad contributed reporting.