The streets around Westminster were packed with people hoping to catch a glimpse of the procession from Westminster Hall to the Abbey, where the funeral took place. Around 2,000 guests packed into the Abbey for the funeral, including extended members of the royal family and dozens of world leaders and politicians from around the world. While the streets of Westminster were packed, other parts of London were eerily quiet, with many people using the Bank Holiday to gather round TV screens at home to watch the historic events. Big Ben tolled out at one-minute intervals as the procession slowly made its way through the streets of the capital. Gun salutes were also fired every minute from Hyde Park. Among the personal touches was a handwritten message from the King, which was placed above the coffin in a wreath of flowers cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Highgrove House and Clarence House at his request. It read: “In loving and devoted memory. Charles R.”
