The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II has arrived at Westminster Corridor after a 40-minute procession from Buckingham Palace.
The coffin was draped within the Royal Normal, with the Imperial State Crown on a velvet cushion and a wreath of flowers atop.
It was carried on a gun carriage of King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and made its journey to the sound of funeral marches performed by the Band of the Scots Guards and the Band of the Grenadier Guards.
The Queen died on Thursday (8 September) on the age of 96 at her Balmoral property, after 70 years on the throne.
Her coffin was flown from Edinburgh to London on Tuesday night time (13 September) and has now left Buckingham Palace for the final time.
However what’s the significance of the Imperial State Crown and the flowers that laid on her coffin?
What’s the Imperial State Crown?
The Imperial State Crown is without doubt one of the Crown Jewels of the UK and represents the sovereignty of the monarch.
Whereas the crown has existed in varied kinds prior to now, the present model was made in 1937 and was worn by the Queen after her coronation in 1953.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, adorned with a Royal Normal and the Imperial State Crown is pulled by a Gun Carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery
(POOL/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
It has additionally been utilized in different State events, together with the tate Opening of Parliament.
The crown featured in one of many public’s favorite moments of the Queen, when she appeared in a BBC documentary in 2018 about her coronation.
She famously manhandled the heavy crown, pulling it in direction of her and turning it round, including: “That is what I do after I put on it.”
What jewels are on the Imperial State Crown?
Greater than 2,900 valuable stones adorn the crown, together with the Cullinan II diamond, St Edward’s Sapphire, the Stuart Sapphire and the Black Prince’s Ruby.
It’s coated with 1,363 brilliant-cut, 1,273 rose-cut and 142 table-cut diamonds, 277 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 4 different rubies.
It additionally has a purple velvet cap with an ermine border and is lined with white silk.
The Cullinan II diamond is also called the Second Star of Africa. It was a part of the most important gem-quality tough diamond ever discovered, which was initially found in Cullinan, South Africa, in 1905.
(AFP by way of Getty Photos)
The cushion-cut sensible diamond with 66 sides was purchased by the South African authorities and offered it to Queen Mary in 1910, alongside the Culinan I.
St Edward’s Sapphire, an octagonal rose-cut sapphire that sits within the centre of the cross on the prime of the crown, is older than another gemstone within the royal assortment and is believed to have belonged to Edward the Confessor, one of many final Anglo-Saxon English kings.
In the meantime, the Stuart Sapphire is believed to have belonged to Charles II and should have originated from Asia.
Lastly, the Black Prince’s Ruby takes pleasure of place on the Imperial State Crown. It has been within the possession of England’s rulers since 1367, when it was given to Edward of Woodstock – who was referred to as the “Black Prince”.
It’s thought to have originated from current day Afghanistan and Tajikstan.
What had been the flowers within the wreath?
The wreath positioned atop the Queen’s coffin was manufactured from pine from the gardens of Balmoral and lavender from the grounds of Windsor.
It additionally contained white roses and dahlias, in addition to rosemary and pittosporum.
The blooms within the wreath are completely different from those who appeared within the one which sat atop the Queen’s casket when it travelled alongside the Royal Mile in Edinburgh on Monday (12 September).
On the time, the wreath had candy peas, dahlias, phlox, white heather and pine fir.
Candy peas, which signify departures and goobyes, had been additionally positioned within the wreath on the late Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin in 2021. They’re the start flower of April, the month wherein the Queen’s birthday falls.
Further reporting by PA
