Camilla hails Queen Elizabeth, 'solitary woman' in a world dominated by men

Britain's new Queen Consort Camilla paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, saying the monarch carved a unique role for herself as a 'solitary woman' in a world dominated by men

Events surrounding Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral on Monday cap 10 days of national mourning and are expected to be watched by hundreds of thousands of people packed onto the streets of London and millions around the world. 

Here are some figures that have swirled around London and the rest of the UK in the aftermath of death on September 8:

• 2,000 dignitaries and guests in Westminster Abbey for the state funeral
• 1 mn people London transport authorities expect to visit the capital on Monday
• 800 guests at a committal service later in the day at St George’s Chapel
• 5,949 military personnel deployed throughout the meticulously choreographed operation since the Queen’s death on Sept 8
• 1,650 military personnel to be involved in the pomp-filled procession of the Queen’s coffin from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch
• 36 km of barriers erected in central London to control crowds
• 250 extra rail services will run to move people in and out of the city
• 8 km queues to pay last respects in Westminster Hall
• 2,868 diamonds, along with 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and 4 rubies, sparkle in the Imperial State Crown that rested on the Queen’s coffin

What all this may cost

• $9 million UK likely to spend on Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
• £5.4 million (almost $16 million in today’s terms) spent on the funeral of Queen mother in 2002
• £3-5 million ($10-17 million in current terms) the cost of Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997

How the day will unfold (in IST)

• 11:00 am: The Queen’s lying-in-state at Westminster Hall will come to an end
• 3:14 pm: The ceremonial part of the day will begin in earnest, as the Queen’s coffin is lifted from the catafalque where it has been resting since Wednesday and taken to Westminster Abbey, for her funeral service
• She will be carried on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy, drawn by 142 sailors
• 4:25 pm: Towards the end of the funeral service, the Last Post — a short bugle call — will be played, followed by a two-minute national silence
• 5:25 pm: Following the service, the Queen’s coffin will be drawn in a walking procession, led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, from the Abbey to Wellington Arch
• 7:30 pm: The hearse is expected to arrive for a walking procession up Windsor Castle’s Long Walk. The three-mile (5-km) avenue will be lined with members of the armed forces
• 8:30 pm: The coffin will enter St George’s Chapel for a committal service
• 9:15 pm: The committal service will come to an end and the King and members of the Royal Family will leave the chapel
• 12 midnight: The Queen will be buried together with her late husband at the King George VI memorial chapel, located inside St George’s Chapel

Indian President in Britain:  

President Droupadi Murmu, who is in London on a three-day visit to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II scheduled at Westminster Abbey on Monday, signed a condolence book on behalf of the Indian government on Sunday.