Royal deaths and funerals - from Queen Elizabeth II to Princess Diana
Queen Elizabeth II died most recently in 2022 at the age of 96Many royal deaths over the years have seen the nation in mourning – most recently when Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022.
From Princess Diana‘s tragic 1997 death to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, here’s an in depth look at some of the biggest royal deaths over the years and the funerals which have taken place.
Royal deaths and funerals: King George VI – 1952
Queen Elizabeth II’s father King George VI died on February 6, 1952, at Sandringham. He was just 56 when he died in his sleep after failing to recover from a lung operation.
At the time, the then Princess Elizabeth was just 25. She became queen on the day of his death and her official coronation took place in June 1953.
She received the news of her father’s death and her accession to the throne during a visit to Kenya.
After his death, King George VI lay in state inside Westminster Hall. Lying-in-State is where the monarch’s coffin is placed on view so members of the public can pay their respects.
King George VI’s state funeral took place on February 15, 1952, at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. He was buried in the Royal Vault inside the chapel, before being transferred to the King George VI Memorial Chapel in 1969.
Princess Margaret – 2002
Queen Elizabeth II’s younger sister Princess Margaret died on February 9, 2002. She was 71 years old when she died in her sleep whilst in hospital following years of health issues.
In the 1970s, Margaret suffered a nervous breakdown. She was treated by a psychiatrist for depression.
Meanwhile, in 1993, she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia. She suffered a mild stroke in 1998. Just months after, Princess Margaret suffered severe scalds to her feet which affected her mobility. She often required support when walking and used a wheelchair sometimes.
In early 2001, she was hospitalised following another stroke. By March of that year, Margaret was left with partial vision and paralysis on her left side due to the strokes.
Her funeral took place on February 15, 2002. It was a private service at St George’s Chapel with just family and friends – which was her wish.
Unlike other members of the royal family, Margaret was cremated. Her ashes are in the King George VI Memorial Chapel.
The Queen Mother – 2002
Just weeks after her younger daughter’s death, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother died on March 30, 2002. She was 101 years old.
She was the mother of Queen Elizabeth II and the wife of King George VI. The Queen Mother died at Royal Lodge, Windsor, after suffering from a chest cold since Christmas 2001.
The then Princess Elizabeth was by her side.
The Queen Mother’s funeral took place on April 9, 2001. Over one million members of the public lined the streets outside Westminster Abbey.
Her final resting place is in the King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George’s Chapel, beside her husband and daughter Margaret.
Princess Diana – 1997
Princess Diana – the first wife of the now King Charles and mother to Princes William and Harry – died on August 31, 1997, at the age of 36 following a car accident in Paris.
Prince William was 15 when Diana died while Prince Harry was just 12.
Diana’s death sparked an outpouring of grief globally. She died as a result of injuries following a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris. Her partner at the time, Dodi Fayed, and the driver Henri Paul also died. There have been many investigations and theories into the tragedy, with some blaming the paparazzi allegedly chasing the car.
Shortly after midnight on August 31, Paul lost control of the car at the entrance of the tunnel. It reportedly struck another car before colliding head-on with a pillar that supported the roof.
Diana was taken to the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. However, resuscitation attempts weren’t successful and she was pronounced dead at 4am. Later that day on August 31, the then Prince Charles arrived in Paris alongside Diana’s sisters.
He accompanied her body back to the UK that day.
The royal family faced some criticism after Diana’s death, with some saying their response to the news was delayed and reserved. They had remained at Balmoral instead of returning to London straight away.
However, at the time, Prince Philip insisted they were focusing on supporting William and Harry amid the news.
Queen Elizabeth II made a live TV address a week after Diana’s death, where she praised the Princess of Wales as an “exceptional and gifted human being”.
Princess Diana’s funeral
Diana’s funeral was on September 6, 1997. It took place at Westminster Abbey, with millions of mourners lining the streets outside.
According to reports, the funeral was watched by 31.5 million viewers in Britain. It’s estimated that around 2.5 billion watched the funeral worldwide. However, an exact figure isn’t known.
Her two young sons, William and Harry, walked behind her coffin in the procession alongside their father Charles. Prince Philip also walked alongside his grandsons. He reportedly told them “I’ll walk if you walk” ahead of the funeral.
Diana is buried at the Spencer family’s home Althorp House.
Royal deaths: Prince Philip – 2021
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died on April 9, 2021, at Windsor Castle. He was 99. His cause of death was stated as “old age”.
The queen was reportedly at his side when he died. She described his death as “having left a huge void in her life”.
Before his death, Philip had suffered some health issues and spent some time in hospital.
A statement from Buckingham Palace said at the time: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
Read more: Why’ Meghan Markle didn’t join Prince Harry at Prince Philip’s funeral amid ‘bad taste’ gesture
Prince Philip’s funeral
The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral took place on April 17 at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of guests were limited.
In one heartbreaking moment from the service, the queen was seen sat alone in the chapel whilst wearing a face mask.
Other royal family members who attended include Prince William, his wife Kate, Prince Harry, the then Prince Charles, Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
A procession took place as Philip’s coffin headed to St George’s Chapel. Princess Anne, Prince Charles, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, Peter Phillips, Prince William, Anne’s husband Sir Timothy Laurence and the Earl of Snowdon followed behind the coffin on foot.
Following the service, the coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault inside the chapel.
According to reports, 13.6 million people watched the funeral in the UK.
Royal deaths: Queen Elizabeth II – 2022
On September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle at the age of 96. She was the longest-serving monarch in British history, reigning for 70 years.
Her death certificate stated she died from “old age”. In the months prior to her death, the queen had suffered some health issues and used a walking stick for some royal engagements.
However, just two days before her death, she appointed Liz Truss as Prime Minister at Balmoral.
Throughout the day on September 8, members of the royal family travelled to Balmoral – prompting concerns about her health.
Buckingham Palace had issued a statement around 12:30pm, saying: “The queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.”
It’s believed that Princess Anne was already staying with the queen and the then Prince Charles arrived around 10:30 in the morning.
Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie travelled to Balmoral via a flight and arrived around 5pm. Prince Harry, who was visiting the UK from America, arrived at the castle at 8pm.
The queen had died at 3:10pm.
Buckingham Palace’s statement on the queen’s death
Around 6:30pm on September 8, the palace announced the death of the queen. The statement read: “The queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
“The king and the queen consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
A period of national mourning then took place, including the Lying-in-State. The queen’s coffin lay in state at Westminster Hall up until her state funeral on September 19.
The state funeral took place at Westminster Abbey. It was reportedly watched by 4.1 billion people worldwide. Following the service, processions took place as the queen’s coffin was taken to St George’s Chapel.
During the processions, the queen’s beloved pony Emma and her Corgis Muick and Sandy were present – a heartbreaking moment which left fans in tears.
A committal service then took place around 4pm on September 19, with King Charles and other members of the royal family in attendance.
The queen’s coffin was then lowered into the Royal Vault. Later that evening, a private burial took place in the King George VI Memorial Chapel.
The monarch was buried alongside Prince Philip.
Can you remember watching any of these funerals? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @RoyalInsiderOfficial.
