Satellite images show scale of Queen's funeral as seen from space

Ross McGuinness
A satellite image shows crowds at Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain September 19, 2022. Courtesy of 2022 Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO.
A satellite image shows crowds at Buckingham Palace on the day of the Queen's funeral. (Maxar/Reuters) (via REUTERS)

Incredible satellite images have been released which show the Queen's funeral as seen from space.

The images, captured by US space technology company Maxar, show large crowds gathering in London for Monday's event.

More than one million people are thought to have poured into London for a final goodbye to the Queen.

The images, captured from above on a momentous day of British history, show the funeral procession and the crowds gathered to watch it.

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A satellite image shows a closer view of the funeral procession for late Queen Elizabeth leaving Westminster Abbey, in London, Britain September 19, 2022. Courtesy of 2022 Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO.
A satellite image shows a closer view of the funeral procession for the Queen leaving Westminster Abbey. (Maxar/Reuters) (via REUTERS)
A satellite image shows the procession for late Queen Elizabeth and crowds at horse guards parade, in London, Britain September 19, 2022. Courtesy of 2022 Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO.
The Queen's funeral procession at Horse Guards Parade as seen by satellite from above. (Maxar/Reuters) (via REUTERS)

They include pictures from above of Horse Guards Parade, The Albert Memorial, The Mall and Buckingham Palace.

The Queen was laid to rest on Monday following a state funeral at Westminster Abbey and a committal service at Windsor Castle.

She was buried with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at St George’s in Windsor during a private evening burial service attended only by close members of the Royal Family.

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The day was filled with personal touches, with the wreath adorning her coffin featuring a handwritten note from King Charles III, saying: “In loving and devoted memory. Charles R.”

Charles had requested the floral tribute which replaced a wreath of Balmoral flowers with foliage and blooms cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove.

The simple committal service at St George’s Chapel contrasted with the pomp and ceremony of her earlier state funeral at Westminster Abbey.

The committal service was heavy with symbolism, with the Camp Colour from the military unit personally commanded by the Queen – Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards – placed on her coffin by the King.

A satellite image shows crowds gathered at Hyde Park, in London, Britain September 19, 2022. Courtesy of 2022 Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO.
A satellite image shows crowds gathered at Hyde Park to watch the Queen's funeral on a big screen. (Maxar/Reuters) (via REUTERS)
A satellite image shows crowds along late Queen Elizabeth's funeral procession route, near Albert Memorial, in London, Britain September 19, 2022. Courtesy of 2022 Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO.
A satellite image shows crowds along the funeral procession route, near The Albert Memorial in London. (Maxar/Reuters) (via REUTERS)
A satellite image shows a closer view of the funeral procession for late Queen Elizabeth leaving Westminster Abbey, in London, Britain September 19, 2022. Courtesy of 2022 Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO.
A satellite image shows the Queen's funeral procession leaving Westminster Abbey on Monday. (Maxar/Reuters) (via REUTERS)

Baron Parker – the Lord Chamberlain and a former MI5 chief, and the most senior official in her royal household – “broke” his wand of office by dismantling it into two halves and laying them on her coffin.

As the committal service drew to a close the sovereign’s piper, Pipe Major Paul Burns played a lament and walked away from the congregation, his tune fading into the chapel air.

Earlier in the day, the state funeral at Westminster Abbey was attended by dignitaries including hundreds of heads of state, and with London full with mourners the event called for the largest policing operation undertaken by the Metropolitan Police.

Among the 2,000-strong congregation at the abbey were foreign royalty and world leaders including US president Joe Biden and French president Emmanuel Macron.

During his sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury told the congregation the outpouring of emotion for the Queen “arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone from us”.

A note rests atop a flower arrangement on top of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey during the Ceremonial Procession for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Monday September 19, 2022.
A note rests atop a flower arrangement on top of the Queen's coffin as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey. (PA) (PA)
The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, in the Ceremonial Procession following her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Monday September 19, 2022.
The state gun carriage carries the Queen's coffin after her state funeral at Westminster Abbey. (PA) (PA)
The State Gun Carriage carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Wellington Arch during the Ceremonial Procession following her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey, London.
The state gun carriage carrying the Queen's coffin arrives at Wellington Arch. (PA) (PA)
The Ceremonial Procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Windsor Castle for the Committal Service at St George's Chapel. Picture date: Monday September 19, 2022.
The ceremonial procession of the Queen's coffin arrives at Windsor Castle. (PA) (PA)
King Charles III, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, Peter Phillips, the Earl of Snowden, the Duke of Gloucester and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence watch as coffin bearers carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Berkshire, as it arrives for the Committal Service. Picture date: Monday September 19, 2022.
King Charles III is among the watching royals as coffin bearers carry the Queen's coffin into St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. (PA) (PA)

Justin Welby described the Queen as having touched “a multitude of lives” and being a “joyful” figure for many.

He told mourners: “People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer.

“But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are forgotten.

“The grief of this day – felt not only by the late Queen’s family but all round the nation, Commonwealth and world – arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone from us.

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“She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.”

Tens of thousands of people turned out to watch the late monarch’s funeral procession make its slow journey through London and on to Windsor Castle for the committal service.

The state hearse arrived strewn with flowers and with the cheers and applause of mourners ringing in the air, and waiting were three companions who knew the Queen well but would never speak of their friendship.

Muick and Sandy, corgis that were gifts from her son the Duke of York, were taken to watch the procession on its way to St George’s Chapel for the committal, and nearby her fell pony Emma was walked from the royal mews to see its owner pass.

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