02 June 2023

The Lying in State of a British Monarch – The History, Origin & Innovation of Royal Funeral Ritual


We have seen in recent days the very moving sight of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Lying in State in Westminster Hall. What precisely is this ceremony for and when did it begin? This video sets out to answer those questions, looking at the symbolism of the Lying in State, its history, and the curious origin of it. It looks at how a private ceremony became a public one, how the symbols placed on the coffin evolved, how the ceremony and its location have changed over the years, and how that reflects the changing relationship between the monarchy and the people.

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