UpdateEarlier today, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Princess Beatrixwere seated at the front of Westminster Abbey during the state funeral ofQueen Elizabeth. They sat in the front, a few yards from the coffin anddirectly across from the British Royal Family. At the end of the afternoon,the trio will also attend the ceremony in St. George’s Chapel at WindsorCastle.
Unlike many other countries, the Netherlands was allowed to delegate more thantwo people. It is logical that the royal couple and the former queen attendthe state funeral. Beatrix and Willem-Alexander are both members of the Orderof the Garter, the highest knighthood in the United Kingdom.
“I already came to Buckingham Palace for my mother’s inauguration,” the kingrevealed in 2018, when he paid a state visit to the country. ,,And in June wewent to Windsor,’ he added at the time, referring to an unofficial visit.Windsor Castle, just outside London, was regarded as Queen Elizabeth’s much-used country retreat. It is also the place where she is driven past for herfuneral.
Follow today ‘s ceremonies in our live blog.
Beatrix also regularly visited the Queen in private, for example when she wasin London to visit her son Prince Friso and/or his family members.
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Princess Beatrix, Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander are seated at thefront of Queen Elizabeth’s coffin. © via Reuters
Windsor Castle
The Dutch trio were present earlier today in Westminster Abbey and at the endof the afternoon also at the ceremony in St. George’s Chapel at WindsorCastle.
A short service with family members, members of the royal household and asmaller number of dignitaries will follow in the chapel from approximately 5p.m. At the conclusion of the service, the crown, scepter and orb are removedfrom the coffin and Elizabeth descends to the royal tomb below the chapel,where she is reunited with Prince Philip a year and a half after her husband’sdeath. The two bodies are then transferred to their final resting place: theKing George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle. Elizabeth’s parents andsister are also there. The ceremony there, Monday evening, is private andstrictly reserved for members of the royal family.
_Many world leaders attended the service at Westminster Abbey: _
© REUTERS
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