Thousands of Londoners mournfully watched today as the royal hearse carried the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II to St. George’s chapel for her committal service.
While not everyone is mourning the monarch who oversaw a brutal system of racist imperialism, Twitter users are nonetheless providing unique insights into the ceremony and controversy surrounding Her Majesty’s passing.
World dignitaries paid their respects, but some Twitter users mentioned another important current event: Hurricane Fiona slammed Puerto Rico last night with 100-mile-per-hour winds, causing widespread flooding and cutting power to the island nation’s 3.2 million American citizens.
The queen will eventually be buried in Windsor alongside her deceased husband, Prince Phillip, who died in 2021.
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Members of the public throw flowers as hearse carrying Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin leaves London https://t.co/L1Pw9ZofU8 pic.twitter.com/1umXqmw1C0
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) September 19, 2022
As Big Ben tolled, Her Majesty The Queen’s coffin made its final journey through London.
From Westminster Abbey, along Horse Guards, down the Mall to Wellington Arch, the Procession included detachments from British and Commonwealth Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/JYb4BZFeGZ
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 19, 2022
The Cavalry Last Post is sounded by the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry before the Nation fell silent in Remembrance of Her Majesty The Queen. pic.twitter.com/ap5ccCiQW2
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 19, 2022
‘Rarely has such a promise been so well kept’
The Archbishop of Canterbury today gave the Sermon at Her Majesty The Queen’s State Funeral: pic.twitter.com/EyIgSCjtVd
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 19, 2022
These eight lads carrying the Queen's coffin.
The crème de la crème, the Premier League of pall bearers.
They carried the Queen into Westminster Hall five days ago. Into Westminster Abbey this morning. Back out now.
Nerves (and spines and shoulders) of steel. pic.twitter.com/ZkjugZpL6E
— Kaya Burgess (@kayaburgess) September 19, 2022
Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 7, two of the children of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, marched behind their great-grandmother’s coffin.
Watch Queen Elizabeth II's funeral service live. https://t.co/mECCcUjNAE pic.twitter.com/6R5Hb0nhz0
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 19, 2022
Folks, I respect the Queen as much as the next person. I offer my condolences to the Brits and all who loved her. But can I please get some news and footage of the effects of Fiona in Puerto Rico? For those who need reminding, they are American citizens in distress. 🇵🇷
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) September 19, 2022
Queen Elizabeth's funeral cost an est. $9 million — adding to the est. $116 million bill UK taxpayers pay every year to support the royals.
Due to the ceremony, hospitals canceled "non-urgent" services like cancer treatment and many food banks have closed "out of respect." pic.twitter.com/fFRKGWIG5a
— AJ+ (@ajplus) September 19, 2022
The royal corgis Muick and Sandy await the procession carrying the Queen's coffin to St George's Chapel.
Picture from REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/Pool pic.twitter.com/zjOkl7CCtn— Julia Atherley (@julia_atherley) September 19, 2022
The Imperial State Crown, the Orb and Sceptre have been removed, by the Crown Jeweller, from Queen Elizabeth II's coffin. They will ultimately be returned to the Tower of London, but for now are placed on the altar.
— Brooklyn Neustaeter (@BNeustaeter) September 19, 2022
Today Jill and I signed the Official Condolence Book for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
We first met the Queen in 1982, and will always remember her kindness and hospitality. Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world. pic.twitter.com/6aZzUAMDAU
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 18, 2022
Michelle and I were lucky enough to know Her Majesty The Queen. Back when we were just beginning to navigate life as President and First Lady, she welcomed us to the world stage with extraordinary generosity. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family and those mourning her passing. pic.twitter.com/pHzpUJwgYb
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 19, 2022
President William Ruto and other African leaders inside a bus vs America's Joe Biden motorcade as they head to the Buckingham Palace in honor of Queen Elizabeth II pic.twitter.com/XKyraFaquF
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) September 19, 2022
President Droupadi Murmu met the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, in an official reception at the State Funeral of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II. President Hassan is the first woman president of Tanzania. pic.twitter.com/J09cKu7IVt
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 19, 2022
President Droupadi Murmu arrives in London to attend the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/T6zWlJGkYB
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 17, 2022
I noticed that a certain someone who claimed to have a special relationship with Queen Elizabeth II is nowhere to be seen at her funeral.
— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) September 19, 2022
Just sit back and think of the queen. https://t.co/4AyNl8g6eL
— Come As You Are (@ComeAsYouAreCo) September 19, 2022
Reminder to put "rest in peace" on the queen's grave so she doesn't get drafted into the skeleton war https://t.co/5Lzz05a4ZU
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) September 19, 2022