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Kings and Queens from around the world have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after attending her state funeral at Westminster Abbey yesterday.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Margrethe II of Denmark and her son Crown Prince Frederik all took to Instagram after appearing at the funeral to say their final goodbyes to Her late Majesty.
Many of the European royal households shared an image showing them together in the historic abbey, when beside the Queen’s coffin, while others, such as the Belgian Royal Palace and Queen Rania of Jordan, posted photographs of themselves at the funeral.
Each reflected on the historic event, with the official account for the Luxembourg monarchy writing: ‘Farewell. TTRRHH the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess bade a last farewell to HM Queen Elizabeth II during a highly emotional state funeral in Westminster Abbey today.
‘Hundreds of Heads of State, members of royal families and world leaders gathered to honour her exceptional life devoted to service and duty.’
Kings and Queens from around the world have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after attending her state funeral at Westminster Abbey yesterday. Pictured, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Margrethe II of Denmark and her son Crown Prince Frederik (pictured together) all took to Instagram after appearing at the funeral to say their final goodbyes to Her late Majesty
Each reflected on the historic event, with the official account for the Luxembourg monarchy writing: ‘Farewell. TTRRHH the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess bade a last farewell to HM Queen Elizabeth II during a highly emotional state funeral in Westminster Abbey today.’ Pictured, Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg
The comment (pictured above) continued: ‘Hundreds of Heads of State, members of royal families and world leaders gathered to honour her exceptional life devoted to service and duty.’
Many European royal households shared the above image, showing the royals of the world next to the Queen’s coffin
Elsewhere, the Norwegian royal family shared a selection of photographs from the funeral, with the caption: ‘The British people and the rest of the world said goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II today.
A 70-year era is thus over. King Harald and Queen Sonja attended the burial ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London and later in the day at the service at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle – where Queen Elizabeth was laid to rest.
On the occasion of the burial of the British monarch, the flag was raised at half-mast from the Castle in Oslo, Skaugum, Bygdø Kongsgård, Stiftsgården in Trondheim and Gamlehaugen in Bergen until the ceremony in Westminster Abbey was over – when the flags were hoisted Full bar.’
The Danish royal household shared similar images from the funeral – including one of King Charles III – as well as one of Margrethe and Frederik arriving at Westminster Abbey.
The caption read: ‘For seven decades, Queen Elizabeth II was Head of State for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as the British Commonwealth Society.
‘Queen Elizabeth died on the 8th September, and Westminster Abbey in London today formed the frame for the former monarch’s state funeral.
Elsewhere, the Norwegian royal family shared a selection of photographs from the funeral, with the caption: ‘The British people and the rest of the world said goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II today.
The Danish royal household shared similar images from the funeral – including one of King Charles III – as well as one of Margrethe and Frederik arriving at Westminster Abbey. The caption read: ‘For seven decades, Queen Elizabeth II was Head of State for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as the British Commonwealth Society’
Queen Rania of Jordan shared the above image of her and her husband at the funeral with the caption: ‘Bidding farewell to a Queen whose legacy will never fade or be forgotten’
The Belgian Royal Palace (pictured) also marked their attendance at the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey yesterday
The Netherlands’ household also posted to Instagram about Princess Beatrix, Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander attending the funeral
‘From the Danish side, Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince participated in the ecclesiastical ceremony, which included both the sermon, Bible readings, two minutes of silence and where the church guests finally sang the national anthem “God save the King” in honour of the empire’s new monarch, His Majesty King Charles III.’
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, and King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, were among those who arrived in Windsor following the funeral yesterday, with King Felipe VI pictured walking into the Chapel arm-in-arm with his mother, Queen Sofía.
Emperors, kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers and other foreign dignitaries descended on the British capital for Her Majesty’s state funeral, with many stopping at Westminster Hall on Sunday to pay their respects to the monarch, who was lying in state.
Later on Sunday evening, they attended the ‘reception of the century’ at Buckingham Palace, hosted by King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla.
Foreign royals including Queen Sofía of Spain, King Felipe, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden take their seats ahead of the Committal Service
Queen Máxima of The Netherlands walked alongside her husband King Willem-Alexander and in front of Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden as they headed to St George’s Chapel in Windsor
Margareta of Romania and Prince Radu of Romania speak with former prime minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie at the committal service
Foreign royalty all signed the Book of Condolences at Church House in London, before heading to Windsor for her committal service. Pictured: HRH Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco
Prince Albert II of Monaco, who sent a heartfelt tribute to the Queen when her death was announced, also signed the book
The Emperor Naruhito of Japan and his wife Empress Masako took turns leaving notes in the book of condolences for Her Majesty
Queen Silvia of Sweden walks up to St George’s Chapel with King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden ahead of the Queen’s committal service
King Felipe VI of Spain was pictured leading his mother Queen Sofía into St George’s Chapel in Windsor ahead of the Committal Service
Princess Beatrix (left) Queen Máxima (centre) and King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands arrive in Windsor ahead of the Committal Service at St George’s Chapel
The King and Queen of The Netherlands arrive in Windsor for the committal service of Queen Elizabeth II
King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden walks with Queen Silvia, just behind the Dutch Royals, as they head towards St George’s Chapel ahead of the Queen’s Committal Service
Princess Haya bint Al Hussein of Jordan (right) arrives in Windsor for the Committal Service for the Queen at Windsor Castle, which will take place in St George’s Chapel
Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, who is representing his father King Constantine I at the funeral, arrives in Windsor alongside Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of The Netherlands standing outside Westminster Abbey following the funeral service of Her late Majesty on Monday
Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain look dignified during the funeral service for Her late Majesty the Queen at Westminster Abbey
Beatrix of the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Queen Silvia of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Spain’s Queen Letizia and Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Mathilde and Phillipe of Belgium depart Westminster Abbey
King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands looked sombre during the late Monarch’s funeral at Westminster Abbey
King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden sat next to Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, not too far from King Harald V of Norway, right
Queen Letizia of Spain appeared deep in thought during the Queen’s state funeral service at Westminster Abbey
Emperor Naruhito of Japan could count on the quiet support of his wife, Empress Masako, who sat by his side during the ceremony
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan (back right) take their seats next to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Malaysia and Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah of Malaysia while King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan sit in front
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco led the foreign royal arrivals at the Queen’s funeral on Monday
One historic photo from the state funeral shows the monarchs from six of Europe’s royal families exiting the Abbey – while another shows the royal families of Japan, Malaysia and Jordan taking their seats and Britain’s most important church.
Representatives of more than 20 Royal Families attended the funeral, including the reigning monarchs of the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway.
Thanks to family ties that date back generations, many European royals have a particularly close relationship to the Queen. Spain’s reigning King Felipe even knew her as his ‘dear Aunt Lilibet’.
Among the most anticipated guests was the Emperor of Japan, who rarely makes overseas visits. King Jigme & Queen Jetsun of Bhutan and the Sultan of Brunei also attended.
A tearful King Charles III and his grief-stricken family surrounded the Queen’s coffin at her state funeral in a moving and majestic farewell to the late monarch in an extraordinary service followed by a national two minute’s silence and the Last Post.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Philippe of Belgium were among the foreign royals to pay their respects to the Queen
Margrethe II of Denmark and Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark arrive with many of European royal families
Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain (pictured), took their seats behind the Queen and King of Sweden and Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark
Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (left) leads a group of international monarchs to pay their respects to Elizabeth II
Queen Anne-Marie, Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece also attended the funeral
Queen Rania and King Abdullah II of Jordan took their seats at Westminster Abbey as they joined the foreign royals paying tribute
Queen Rania and King Abdullah II of Jordan pictured arriving at Westminster Abbey on Monday morning for the state funeral of Her late Majesty the Queen
Queen Sofia of Spain (left) arrived for the service with her husband King Juan Carlos. Right, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and her son Crown Prince Frederick arrived to pay tribute to Her Majesty on Monday
King Harald of Norway, walking with the aid of two crutches, looked dapper in military dress as he arrived for the funeral
Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei (left) was among the international royals to pay his respects to the late monarch
His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Malaysia and Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah of Malaysia arrive at Westminster Abbey
King Letsie III of Lesotho, Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein (left) King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan arrive
Kings and Queens from around the worlds sat side-by-side in Westminster Abbey as they mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II during her state funeral (pictured: 1. Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands 2. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands 3. King Willem-Alexander 4. Queen Silvia of Sweden 5. King Carl Gustaf of Sweden 6. Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark 7. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark 8. King Harald of Norway 9. Queen Sonja of Norway 10. Queen Sofía of Spain 11. King Juan Carlos of Spain 12. Queen Letizia of Spain 13. King Felipe of Spain 14. Tsar Simeon of Bulgaria 15. Princess Charlene of Monaco 16. Prince Albert of Monaco 17. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg 18. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg 19. Queen Mathilde of Belgium 20. King Philippe of Belgium 21. Prince Radu of Romania 22. Margareta of Romania 23. Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece 24. Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece 25. Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein 26. Hereditary Prince Alois)
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, and the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his wife, behind, arrive for the funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday
Queen Sofia of Spain (right) arrived for the funeral ahead of King Willem-Alexander and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands
Princess Beatrix, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands arriving at Westminster Abbey
Queen Mathilde of Belgium, King Philippe of Belgium, Queen Letizia of Spain and King Felipe VI of Spain are seen in Westminster Abbey
Royals from around Europe flocked to pay tribute to the Queen including (first row left to right) Beatrix of the Netherlands, her daughter-in-law Queen Maxima and son King Willem Alexander
Members of Europe’s royal families sat opposite the Queen’s family at Westminster Abbey as the Queen’s funeral service took place
Spain’s former King Juan Carlos (left) needed a hand as he arrived at Westminster Abbey on Monday
Her Majesty made her final and saddest journey from Westminster Hall to the church where she married and was crowned as Britain mourned its longest-serving monarch and the royals bade goodbye to a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Her coffin was placed close to the altar with her crown, orb and sceptre on its top surrounded by flowers chosen by the King from gardens she loved. A card in the flowers on top of the coffin read simply: “In loving and devoted memory. Charles R.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury hailed the Queen’s ‘abundant life and loving service’ as he delivered the sermon at her state funeral, adding: ‘She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.’
State trumpeters from the Household Cavalry sounded the Last Post following the Archbishop of Canterbury’s commendation over the Queen’s coffin and a blessing pronounced by the Dean of Westminster. Two minute’s silence followed across the country before Reveille was sounded by the trumpeters before the National Anthem was sung by the congregation.