The new King, 73, wrote the handwritten note nestled within the flowers that toppedQueen Elizabeth’s coffin at herstate funeralat Westminster Abbey in London on Monday.
Phil Noble/Getty
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The loving gesture follows tradition within the royal family. AtPrince Philip’s funeral in April 2021, the Queen similarly tucked ahandwritten notewithin the white flowers that crowned her husband’s coffin. In a sentimental gesture, the monarch signed the card"Lilibet"— her childhood nickname.
Queen Elizabeth’s handwritten letter to Prince Philip.NBC
At the time, the palace would not comment on the personal detail as it was “private.”
As seen inside Westminster Abbey Monday, the Queen’s coffin was draped in the Royal Standard, on which was laid theImperial State Crown, orb and sceptre, plus the wreath and note.
In a poignant touch, the bright arrangement included foliage cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Charles' country home of Highgrove House.
BBC America
Rosemary was included for remembrance as well as myrtle, the symbol of a happy marriage, cut from a plant that was grown from a sprig of myrtle in the Queen’s wedding bouquet in 1947. Almost 75 years ago, the Queen walked the same aisle in Westminster to marryPrince Philip.
Also in the arrangement was English oak, which symbolizes the strength of love, and scented pelargoniums: garden roses, autumnal hydrangea, sedum, dahlias and scabious in shades of gold, pink and deep burgundy with touches of white to match the Royal Standard.
Reflecting Charles' commitment to the environment, the wreath was made in a sustainable way, in a nest of English moss and oak branches and without the use of floral foam.
BBC
During the somber march, the King’s Troop fired guns in Hyde Park and Big Ben will toll.
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At Wellington Arch (the original entrance to Buckingham Palace), the coffin will move into the State Hearse. The car will drive an hour west to Windsor Castle, where the Queen will be buried atSt. George’s Chapel.
When the hearse takes off, bound for Her Majesty’s final resting place, the parade will give a royal salute, and “God Save the King” will play.
King Charles and his family will then depart in cars for Windsor, where the Queen will be privately interred atSt. George’s Chapelthis evening.
source: people.com
