Queen’s personal touches in her funeral

London: Queen Elizabeth II made personal additions to plans for her funeral day, Buckingham Palace has said.

Among the touches requested by the Queen is the playing of a lament by her piper.

The state funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19 is likely to be one of the biggest single ceremonial events staged in Britain since World War Two.

A national two-minute silence will be held as the service draws to a close just before midday.

The order of service, with its choice of music and readings, is expected to reflect more of the Queen’s personal choices for the funeral.

Palace aides told the BBC that the Queen had been consulted on all the arrangements.

Towards the end of the service, the Last Post will be played, followed by a national two-minute silence. The conclusion of the state funeral, expected at 12 pm Monday, will be marked by a lament played by the Queen’s piper.

As the Queen’s coffin is lowered into the royal vault, the Archbishop of Canterbury will read a blessing and the Queen’s piper will play a lament.

A final private burial service for close family members will be held at 7.30 pm local time.

The Queen will be buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, where she will rest with her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died last year.

The skies over London will be quiet during the two-minute silence, as Heathrow airport stops all departures and arrivals for 30 minutes from 11.40 am Monday.

Separate changes to operations at the airport will ensure silence overhead during the ceremonies in Windsor.