Photos show historic royal events at Westminster Abbey, from the Queen’s wedding and coronation to her funeral
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Many historic royal events have taken place at Westminster Abbey.Topical Press Agency / Stringer / Gareth Cattermole / Staff / Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral took place at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19.
Westminster Abbey has been the backdrop for many royal events, like Princess Diana’s funeral.
Queen Elizabeth was married, crowned, and eulogized in the abbey.
One of the earliest photos of a royal event at Westminster Abbey is of King George VI and the Queen Mother’s wedding.
The Queen Mother and King George VI’s wedding.Hulton Archive / Stringer / Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II’s parents were married at Westminster Abbey on April 26, 1923.
At the time they were married, Elizabeth’s father was known as Prince Albert, Duke of York, as his brother Edward was to become king.
King George VI’s coronation was also photographed at the abbey in 1937.
King George VI is crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 12, 1937.Central Press / Stringer / Getty Images
King George VI became the monarch after his brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated so he could marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson in 1936.
Edward was king for less than a year before he left the throne to his brother, as the royal family’s website states.
King George VI was formally crowned on May 12, 1937, in Westminster Abbey.
Queen Elizabeth II married Prince Philip at Westminster in 1947.
The Queen was married at Westminster Abbey.Central Press / Stringer / Getty Images
Then known as Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, the couple said their vows on November 20, 1947.
Her Majesty was 21 at the time, and the prince was 26.
2,500 guests attended the couple’s grand wedding.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip are seen leaving Westminster Abbey, London, on Nov. 20, 1947, following their wedding service.AP
The Queen and Prince Philip’s wedding was opulent, reflecting the mood of the country following the end of World War II.
In this shot, the couple exit Westminster Abbey.
A few years later, Queen Elizabeth II was coronated at Westminster Abbey like her father.
Queen Elizabeth II at her coronation on June 2, 1953.Topical Press Agency / Stringer / Getty Images
King George VI died on February 6, 1952.
Queen Elizabeth II became the monarch immediately following his death, but she was not formally crowned until June 2, 1953.
The Queen was just 25 at the time of the ceremony.
Princess Margaret tied the knot at Westminster Abbey.
Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones at their wedding on May 6, 1960.Bettmann / Contributor / Getty Images
Princess Margaret, the Queen’s younger sister, married Antony Armstrong-Jones, Lord Snowdon, in the first televised UK wedding.
The princess and the lord divorced in 1978 amid reports that they both had affairs.
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Princess Anne’s first wedding was at Westminster Abbey as well.
Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips were married on November 14, 1973.Associated Press
The Queen’s only daughter married Captain Mark Phillips on November 14, 1973, walking down a blue rug at Westminster Abbey.
The Princess Royal and Phillips divorced in 1992 after The Sun published intimate letters exchanged between Sir Timothy Laurence and Princess Anne, though both the princess and Phillips were rumored to have had affairs, as People reported.
Princess Anne went on to marry Laurence, who has been by her side in the wake of the Queen’s death.
The Duke of York married Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey in 1986, though they later divorced as well.
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew were married on July 23, 1986.John Shelley Collection/Avalon / Contributor / Getty Images
Prince Andrew and Ferguson, often called Fergie by the press, used Westminster Abbey as their venue for their wedding on July 23, 1986.
Andrew and Ferguson divorced ten years later in 1996, but they are still friends. The former couple are inheriting two of the Queen’s corgis, according to the BBC.
Princess Diana’s funeral was at Westminster Abbey — with thousands of additional mourners waiting outside.
Princess Diana died in 1997.Associated Press
Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, and she was transferred back to London for her funeral at Westminster Abbey.
2.5 billion people around the world watched the funeral, according to History.
Prince William and Prince Harry processed behind their mother’s coffin as it was driven from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. They were just 15 and 12, respectively, at the time.
The princess was buried at Althorp House, where she grew up, after the funeral.
The Queen Mother’s funeral took place at the abbey as well.
The Queen Mother’s funeral in 2002 at Westminster Abbey.Ben Curtis – PA Images / Contributor / Getty Images
The Queen Mother died on March 30, 2002, when she was 101. The Queen and Princess Margaret died within a month of one another, though Margaret’s funeral took place at Windsor, according to the Westminster Abbey website.
Queen Elizabeth II sat directly across from her mother’s coffin.
Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales, got married at Westminster Abbey in 2011.
Prince William and Kate Middleton at their wedding.WPA Pool/Getty
The Prince and Princess of Wales got married on April 29, 2011, ten years after they met.
1,900 people attended the couple’s wedding.
Their ceremony looked remarkably similar to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s wedding.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at their wedding.WPA Pool / Pool / Getty Images
The couple’s wedding cost $34 million, and an estimated 3 billion people tuned in to watch William and Kate get married.
The Queen’s funeral was in Westminster Abbey, making it the third major event in her life to take place at the historic church.
Queen Elizabeth II’s casket is carried to her funeral at Westminster Abbey.Gareth Cattermole / Staff / Getty Images
The Queen’s funeral took place on Monday, September 19.
2,000 people gathered inside Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s funeral.
Westminster Abbey during the Queen’s funeral on September 19, 2022.WPA Pool / Pool / Getty Images
The funeral was attended by royals and world leaders.
The royal family was seated right next to the Queen’s coffin.
The royal family pay their respects at the Queen’s funeral.BBC News
King Charles III sat in the seat Queen Elizabeth occupied at the Queen Mother’s funeral, highlighting his new role as monarch.
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