Defined: Queen's state funeral might be UK's first since Winston Churchill | World News

Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral might be UK's first in over half a century as former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was the final head of state to be accorded with this honour in 1965.

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died on Thursday after reigning for 70 years. She was 96.

Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II's husband, had a royal ceremonial funeral.

What's a state funeral?

The state funeral, which is often reserved for the sovereign, begins with the physique being carried on a gun carriage, which is drawn by sailors from the Royal Navy, as a part of a navy procession.

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The physique is then taken from a personal resting chapel to Westminster Corridor within the Home of Parliament. Then, one other procession is taken to the Westminster Abbey or St Paul's Cathedral, relying on the place the service is, a report within the Unbiased stated. Heads of state are then given a 21-gun salute.

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When was the final state funeral within the UK?

The final state funeral within the UK was Winston Churchill's in 1965 whereas the final state funeral for a sovereign was for the Queen's father, George VI, in 1952.

Sir Winston Churchill died on 24 January 1965, aged 90. The official interval of funeral lasted for 4 days. By the decree of Queen Elizabeth II, his physique lay in state at Westminster Corridor for 3 days from 26 January and on 30 January, the order of funeral was held at St Paul's Cathedral.

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The funeral was attended by representatives from 120 nations, 6,000 individuals, and unusually by the Queen. It was witnessed by over 350 million individuals and is claimed to be the most important state funeral in historical past.