
The Committal Service at Windsor Castle
Some of the day's most symbolic moments - the removal of the crown, orb and sceptre.
On Monday, 19th September, a Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth took place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. The service, led by the Dean of Windsor, David Conner, was the scene of some of the most symbolic moments of the day’s ceremonies. Several of the organ pieces played in the chapel were arranged by William Henry Harris, organist at the Chapel Royal between 1933 and 1961, who inspired the young Princess Elizabeth’s interest in music.
The rector of Sandringham, the late Queen’s residence in Norfolk, the minister of Crathie Kirk, the church near her Balmoral estate, and the Chaplain of the Royal Chapel in Windsor Great Park led prayers during the ceremony.
However, the ceremonial heart of the service came in the middle when the Queen’s Bargemaster and a Serjeant at Arms removed the instruments of state - the crown, orb and sceptre used in the coronation - from the top of the coffin. At the end, the dean read Psalm 103 while the coffin was lowered into the royal vault.
Commentary by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Julian Worricker and Eleanor Oldroyd.
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