Princess Anne made history; first Female Royal Family Member to march Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral Processions

The Queen's only daughter took part in all aspects of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, even breaking new ground as she and her brothers paid tribute to the late Queen during a week of national sorrow.

Princess Anne honored Queen Elizabeth II

On Monday, Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II's only daughter, and her brothers honored Queen Elizabeth II during the final funeral procession led by King Charles III.

The 72-year-old Princess Anne, the only female of the royal family, marched following the late Queen's casket, which was draped according to the Royal protocols, over which placed the Imperial State Crown, the Sovereign's Scepter, and the Sovereign's Orb with a wreath of meaningful flowers with a note written by King Charles III. 

King Charles III led the procession

The new Monarch marched with his siblings, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, in a procession from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey before the Queen's state funeral in London. 

Prince William, Prince Harry, David Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon, the Queen's nephew, and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, her cousin, followed them.

Following the service, the coffin departed the historic structure and began the second of the Queen's three processions, which would take it across London to Wellington Arch. Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton followed behind the procession in a car as Meghan Markle and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, followed in another car. 

Also Read: Despite being the Royal Princess, Anne never wants to publicize her private life

A royal salute to the funeral march

After reaching the Wellington Arch, the casket was moved to the State Hearse to travel to Windsor. The march offered a royal salute, and “God Save the King” was played as the hearse pulled away from Wellington Arch.

Later the king and other royal family members left for Windsor, and another procession was made to the St. George's Chapel within Windsor Castle for the committal service.

Princess Anne was by her mother's side

Princess Anne played a vital role in all her mother's final rights, from following the casket for the six-hour trip from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh Sunday to marching with her brothers following the casket as it shifted from the palace to St. Giles' on September 12.

This kind of unique ceremony happened only twice in British history. Once during the funeral of the Queen's grandfather, King George V, in 1936 and the funeral of Queen Mother in 2002. 

Princess Anne made history by joining the Vigil of the Princes, the first-ever Royal female to do so. And she was by her mother's side when the Queen died peacefully at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8.

The entire world paid homage to the late Monarch

On Monday morning, 2000 dignitaries from around the globe attended the state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London to pay their last respect to the late Queen. Another ceremony was held at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on the same afternoon.

Eight hundred people attended the Queen's committal service. In the evening, the late Queen was buried in a private ceremony in the King George VI Memorial Chapel with her husband, Prince Philip, father King George VI, mother Queen Elizabeth, and sister Princess Margaret.

Robert Poirrer

Robert Poirrer is a contributing author who covers Hollywood latest movie releases and web series for the MovieThop website. He has a decade of experience in writing movies based articles for numerous renowned media outlets. He is excellent at creating unique content based on emerging trends in a variety of categories especially entertainment, movies and lifestyle. When not writing articles you could find Robert enjoying mountain biking trips with his friends. He graduated in English Literature from North Carolina State University.