PICK OF TODAY’S TV

THE STATE FUNERAL OF HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II, 8AM, BBC1 & BBC2/9.30AM, ITV

HER MAJESTY Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral takes place at Westminster Abbey at 11am today. It is the first funeral service held at the Abbey for a British monarch since that of King George II in 1760. Around 2,000 guests will attend the hour-long televised service in the Abbey, which is expected to be one of the most watched live events in history. As the service draws to a close, there will be the sounding of the Last Post, followed by a two-minute silence around the nation, before a Lament played by the Queen’s Piper brings proceedings to a close. The service will be conducted by the Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle, with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, giving the sermon. After the service, at 1pm, the coffin will be carried to Wellington Arch at London’s Hyde Park Corner, via Whitehall and The Mall, passing Buckingham Palace. The coffin will then make its way by hearse to Windsor, where the Queen will be buried at St George’s Chapel, next to her husband, Prince Philip. The committal service conducted by the Dean of Windsor begins at 4pm and will be the final televised stage before the Queen’s coffin is lowered into the royal vault. Huw Edwards, Kirsty Young, Fergal Keane, David Dimbleby and Sophie Raworth will be leading the BBC coverage, while Tom Bradby and Julie Etchingham will be at the helm for ITV on what is sure to be an historic and emotional day.