The special reason behind what Jacinda Ardern wore to the Queen’s funeral 

Jacinda Ardern arrived at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in a black dress with a tailored Maori cloak draped over her shoulders.

The New Zealand Prime Minister stepped into Westminster Abbey on Monday, flanked by her fiancé, television host Clarke Gayford, in a calf-length fitted dress with a high neckline and a slight slit at the back.

Over her shoulders lay a custom Kākahu feather, a traditional cloak, made for the occasion by Maori designer Kiri Nathan.

The outfit, she said, was chosen because she wanted to bring a “piece of New Zealand” to the British funeral.

Mrs. Ardern also wore a royal-inspired hat, created by local designer Monika Neuhauser.

Pictured: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her fiancé, television host Clarke Gayford, walk into the Queen’s funeral on Monday

The Kiwi leader had a roughly ten-minute meeting with King Charles on Sunday in what she described as a “really warm meeting.”

“What I can share is that it was a warm conversation, that the King very much appreciated New Zealand’s thoughts, and for the efforts so many have made to come and pay their respects,” she told New Zealand. herald.

The UK’s main church, packed with 2,000 VIPs, including Prime Ministers, Presidents and the Queen’s family, was serene, save for the sound of hymns and prayers at a funeral service Her Majesty had composed herself before she died.

Outside of the abbey, an estimated 2 million people in central London line processional routes and watch on large screens.

Pictured: Mrs. Ardern, a custom Kākahu feather, a traditional cloak, made for the occasion by Maori designer Kiri Nathan

Jodie Haydon and her partner Australian Prime Minister arrived at Westminster Abbey around 10:30 a.m. London time looking gloomy

The funeral was broadcast live in around 125 cinemas and several cathedrals across the UK, and on a big screen in Holyrood Park in front of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived emotionally shaken about half an hour before the service, flanked by his partner Jodie.

He joined a host of Commonwealth and world leaders who arrived at Westminster Abbey via bus, including New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.

On a very emotional occasion for Britain and the world, the Queen was carried in her oak casket to the gun carriage used by her parents and was followed across Parliament Square by her son, the King, and her relatives, including the Prince. of Wales and Duke of Sussex.

Andrew, the Duke of York, seemed to be crying. Outside of the abbey, an estimated 2 million people in central London line processional routes and watch on large screens.

The coffin is placed at the altar in Westminster Abbey, next to her grieving family

King Charles III and Princess Anne follow the carriage with his late mother Queen Elizabeth II

The State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin began its funeral procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey at around 10:45 a.m., arriving just before 11:00 a.m.

A single toll from Big Ben signaled the start of the service at Westminster Abbey, where kings and queens have been crowned and buried since 1066.

Her Majesty will be buried in Windsor next to her beloved husband Prince Philip and her parents, George VI and the Queen Mother.

Despite the huge crowd, there was absolute silence as about 200 pipers and drummers from Scottish and Irish regiments, the Gurkhas Brigade and RAF played as the procession passed through Parliament Square.

The Queen’s own bagpiper played a lament that echoed through the heart of London.

Behind the carriage walked the King and his siblings, followed by the Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex and Peter Phillips.

The State Gun Carriage has also previously been used for the funerals of King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, Winston Churchill and Lord Mountbatten.