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On Sunday, the palace released this photo of Queen Elizabeth II: Ranald Mackechnie photographed her at Windsor Castle in May
Photo:
Ranald Mackechnie/AP
London is preparing for the biggest event in its recent history: Queen Elizabeth II will be buried on Monday.
Hundreds of heads of state and dignitaries travel to the state funeral.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected on the streets.
The night before, the palace released a previously unknown photo of the Queen.
It shows her smiling brightly in a light blue dress and with her pearl jewellery.
She also wears aquamarine and diamond brooches that her father George VI.
gave her for her 18th birthday in April 1944.
The picture was taken at Windsor Castle during the 70th Jubilee celebrations in May by Ranald Mackechnie.
The photographer also took the Queen's official anniversary portrait.
More news at a glance:
King Charles thanks mourners
The British King Charles III.
issued a statement on Sunday evening.
It says, among other things: "Over the past ten days my wife and I have been deeply touched by the many messages of sympathy and support we have received from this country and the world." Before the final farewell to the Queen on Monday he wanted to thank the "countless people who have been such a support and comfort to my family and me at this time of grief," the king explained.
Queen farewell line closed
Around 10:40 p.m. local time, the British Ministry of Culture announced on Sunday evening: The queue "The Queue" in London to say goodbye to the Queen's coffin is closed;
no more people would be admitted.
Many thousands of people had lined up in the kilometer-long queue over the past few days to pay their last respects to Elizabeth II.
Her coffin was laid out in Parliament's Westminster Hall.
The doors were supposed to be closed on Monday morning.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend memorial service
The program for the service at Westminster Abbey was released on Sunday evening.
It appears that Prince George (9) and Princess Charlotte (7) will also attend the funeral service for their great-grandmother.
William and Kate's two older children are said to join the procession behind the coffin inside the church.
Showers possible in the afternoon
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral services in London and Windsor on Monday - and expect to see showers in the afternoon.
This was announced by the weather bureau on Sunday.
It is expected to remain dry on the morning of the state funeral, and there is a low probability of rain from 1 p.m.
Temperatures along the procession route would reach up to 18 degrees.
You can read more details about how exactly the state funeral for Elizabeth II will take place here.
aar/dpa