Legions of royals, heads of state, foreign dignitaries and their partners are expected to flock the Westminster abbey for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
The former queen of the United Kingdom, her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, died on September 8, 2022, aged 96. She passed on at The Balmoral Castle.
Her funeral is set to take place at the Westminster abbey in England. After days of lying-in-state, the body of the Queen will begin its final journey.
First, a religious service shall be held before a horde of people at the abbey. Then, her body will be royally transported to Windsor Castle and finally a private burial.
Here are interesting facts about the prestigious Abbey. It is a famous treasure house of paintings, architecture, and textiles. It has played a major role in the lives of many dignitaries and is home of the royalties.
The Westminster Abbey was formerly originally known as the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter. It was founded in 960, which is 1062 years ago.
It was consecrated on October 13, 1269. It is located on the west of the Palace of Westminster in Deans’ yard, London, England.
It was built using a gothic architectural style. It is of the Catholic denomination.
The Abbey has two towers. It is 225 feet high which is 69 meters. The bells at the Abbey in London were serviced in 1971. There are 10 bells hung for change ringing and cast in 1971 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Change ringing is the production of bell variations by ringing a set of tuned bells in a controlled manner. There are two more service bells cast by Robert Haul.
Since the coronation of William the emperor, which occurred in 1066, all coronation ceremonies of English and British monarchs have taken place there.
The Westminster Abbey is the final resting place of more than 3,300 people. This included 16 monarchs, 8 prime ministers, poets, scientists, actors and military officers.
Geoffrey Chaucer was the first writer to be interred at the Westminster Abbey in a place now famously called, “Poets’ Corner.” He was an English poet, author and civil servant. He is popularly remembered for “The Canterbury Tales.”
17 royal weddings have also occurred there since 1100. One of them being the nuptials between Prince William and Catherine Middleton.
The Westminster Abbey has lived through to its royalty since it was established. It is the perfect embodiment of an architectural and cultural masterpiece.
By Christine Omondi