The Queen’s funeral to be held at Westminster Abbey

The last funeral of a monarch to be held at the Abbey was that of King George II in 1760.

The Dean of Westminster, Dr David Hoyle, said:

The church in which she was married and in which her coronation took place, the Abbey was witness to promises that defined the life of our faithful and devoted Queen. In deep gratitude and in deep sorrow we will give thanks to God for the service she gave to God, nation and Commonwealth. We pray now, and in the days ahead, for our new King and for his family. God save the King.

From the moment King Edward the Confessor decided to build his church at Westminster in the 11th century, the story of the Abbey has been woven into the history of the nation.

From coronations to weddings and burials, every monarch has forged a strong bond with the Abbey. which is a Royal Peculiar responsible to the Sovereign alone.

As Princess Elizabeth, The Queen was married to Prince Philip of Greece, (HRH The Duke of Edinburgh) on 20th November 1947. She was crowned Queen Elizabeth II in the Abbey on 2nd June 1953.

Throughout her reign The Queen was a regular visitor to the Abbey. Each year on the second Monday in March she attended the annual Commonwealth service.

On Friday 29th April 2011 she attended the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton. On their marriage they became The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and now The Prince and Princess of Wales.

Further details of the service will be published in due course.