Country falls silent to mark the end of the Queen's funeral

The UK has fallen silent for two minutes today (19 September) to mark the end of Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral.

The silence was observed 'in all UK government buildings' as well as by various private individuals, businesses and organisations.

PA / Frank Augstein / AP

The funeral took place in Westminster Abbey with an estimated 2,000 guests after the Queen lay in state at Westminster Hall for four days.

The funeral guests included the Queen's family, world leaders, monarchs, members of the Queen's household, 17 of the 23 recipients of the Victoria Cross, and many other famous faces.

The Queen's coffin was transported to the abbey in a military procession led by the Royal Navy.

The late Queen's funeral was also marked by Big Ben, which tolled every minute for 96 minutes to mark each year of her life prior to the service.

A minute's silence was held for the Queen yesterday (18 September) at 8pm too, where people were encouraged to come together to reflect on her life.

The Queen's coffin will now be transported to Windsor Castle, where she will be privately interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who will be moved from the Royal Vault in St George's chapel.

Alamy / Everett Collection Historical

The i reports that the couple will be laid to rest in a 'deeply personal' ceremony, starting at 7.30pm.

A senior palace official said: "The service and burial will be entirely private, given it is a deeply personal family occasion."

The late Queen passed away on Thursday (8 September) at her residence in Balmoral, Scotland, two days after handing power over to the new prime minster and leader of the Conservative Party, Liz Truss.

During her seven decade reign, which was the longest in British history, the Queen had 15 prime ministers, and Truss was the only one not to be appointed from Buckingham Palace.

Alamy / David Levenson

As the Queen died in Scotland, her death began what was known as Operation Unicorn as well as Operation London Bridge.

Two days after she passed away, her body was driven from Balmoral to Edinburgh, where she lay in state in St Giles' Cathedral for 24 hours.

She was then flown back to London in a military plane on 13 September, where her coffin rested in Buckingham Palace's bow room for one night.

The Queen's coffin was finally transported to Westminster Hall on 14 September on the 123-year-old gun carriage, that was also used to transport her coffin today.