The Queen

Military gives glimpse at Queen's funeral with rehearsal at night

Military personnel have been taking part in final preparations for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.

Members of the Armed Forces carried out a full rehearsal for the procession of Her Majesty's coffin from Westminster Hall to Wellington Arch, before sunrise on Thursday.

The State Gun Carriage was towed by almost 100 naval personnel and bore a black coffin, travelling from Westminster Hall, on to Westminster Abbey, and then through central London.

Pre-dawn drills as part of final preparations for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.
Pre-dawn rehearsals take place ahead of the Queen's funeral on Monday.

Hundreds of mourners who had waited in line through the night to visit the late monarch lying in state left Westminster Hall to see the thousands of military personnel in ceremonial uniform taking part in the preparations for Monday's event.

The sound of bagpipes began at 02:45, signalling the start of the procession and echoing through the quiet streets of London.

The Scots Guards marched away from New Palace Yard and onto the abbey and were followed by the sailors pulling the gun carriage using white ropes, and several members of the Household Cavalry on horseback.

Four soldiers stood on either side of the coffin as it was taken into Westminster Abbey, where indoor procedures were also rehearsed.

Mournful brass and drums heralded the coffin leaving the Abbey, and the procession began its next journey, along Whitehall onto Wellington Arch.

Many London streets had been closed off for the operation, and police ensured members of the public were marshalled from Westminster Hall and away from the sealed routes.

WATCH: Military plays central role in Queen's coffin procession.

Drums and trumpets echoed through nearby streets, while the rest of the city was mainly silent.

God Save The King rang out from under the arch at around 05:20, before the state hearse departed through the Apsley Gate of Hyde Park between rows of Household Cavalry.

The procession continued to play in the twilight, and Beethoven's Funeral March and the hymn Jerusalem were heard before the sun came up.

The state funeral will take place in Westminster Abbey at 11:00 on Monday before the procession makes its way to Wellington Arch and then on to Windsor Castle.

A committal service will then be conducted in St George's Chapel in Windsor.

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