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Queen's funeral - live: How to follow the service today

The Queen's funeral: Follow live

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, is being laid to rest in a historic state funeral today.

Around 2,000 mourners, including senior royals and world leaders, are paying their final respects to the late Queen at the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

Elizabeth II died on 8 September aged 96, triggering a 10-day period of national mourning. She was succeeded as monarch by her son King Charles III.

Here is everything you need to know about her funeral, including how to watch it live:

When and where is the Queen's funeral?

The historic ceremony is taking place at Westminster Abbey in central London, where the Queen was married and crowned.

The location marks a break from tradition, as royal funerals typically take place at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

A Bearer Party of The Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, into Westminster Abbey in London on September 19, 2022, ahead of the State Funeral Service. - Leaders from around the world will attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The country's longest-serving monarch, who died aged 96 after 70 years on the throne, will be honoured with a state funeral on Monday morning at Westminster Abbey. (Photo by PHIL NOBLE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by PHIL NOBLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The Queen's funeral is taking place at Westminster Abbey. (Photo by Phil Noble/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

How can I watch the funeral live on TV?

The state funeral is being shown live across BBC One, BBC Two, BBC News and iPlayer.

The broadcaster's coverage is led by Huw Edwards, Kirsty Young and David Dimbleby.

ITV is airing the service on all its channels, including ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and ITVBe, with a live stream available to watch on ITV Hub.

Read more: Start time and schedule for Queen's funeral

The funeral is also being shown on big screens in major UK cities, including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester and Birmingham.

Vue, Curzon and Arc are screening the funeral for free in some cinemas across the country.

What is the schedule for the funeral?

At 8am the doors of Westminster Abbey opened for the congregation to take their seats.

At 10.44am, the King and his family marched behind the Queen's coffin as it was moved to the Abbey from Westminster Hall.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is placed on a gun carriage ahead of the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Emilio Morenatti - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Queen's coffin is placed on a gun carriage ahead of the state funeral. (Photo by Emilio Morenatti - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The service began at 11am and is being conducted by the Dean of Westminster, while the Archbishop of Canterbury is giving the sermon.

As the service ends the Last Post will sound at 11.55am, followed by a national two minutes' silence.

The Queen's coffin will be taken in procession to Wellington Arch and then travels to Windsor.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried by the Bearer Party into Westminster Abbey during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III.  (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
The Queen's coffin with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried into Westminster Abbey. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

At 4pm, some 800 people will attend a committal service in St George's Chapel.

At 7:30pm, the Queen will be buried with the Duke of Edinburgh in a private service in King George VI's chapel.

What is a state funeral?

A state funeral is a rare honour usually reserved for a monarch. The only sovereign not to be given a state funeral in the last 295 years was Edward VIII, who abdicated.

In rare cases, state funerals have been held for non-royals, including Sir Isaac Newton, Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: The gun carriage bearing the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II departs Buckingham Palace, transferring the coffin to The Palace of Westminster on September 14, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II's coffin is taken in procession on a Gun Carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where she will lay in state until the early morning of her funeral. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Daniel Leal - Pool/Getty Images)
The Queen's final resting place will be the King George VI memorial chapel. (Photo by Daniel Leal/Pool/Getty Images)

The last state funeral in the UK was Churchill's in 1965. Princess Diana, Queen Mother and Prince Philip all had ceremonial funerals instead.

The last state funeral for a sovereign was for the Queen's father, George VI, in 1952.

Who is attending?

Around 500 dignitaries and world leaders are attending the funeral, making it one of the biggest diplomatic gatherings in decades.

They are being joined by senior royals – including King Charles and the Queen Consort – and prime minister Liz Truss and her predecessors.

Other high-profile names on the guest list include US president Joe Biden, France's Emmanuel Macron and Canadian leader Justin Trudeau.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive ahead of the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive at the Queen's funeral. (Photo by Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Read more: What will King Charles' reign be called?

Due to political tensions, not every country is welcome. Invites were not to sent to officials from Russia, Belarus, Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan or Myanmar.

Iran, North Korea and Nicaragua are only being represented at an ambassadorial level.

Follow live updates from the Queen's funeral above