Opinion: Saying goodbye to the last Queen of England most of us will ever know

Opinion by Rosa Prince
5 minute read
Published 4:26 PM EDT, Mon September 19, 2022
Britain's King Charles III places the Queen's Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on the coffin of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during a committal service at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on Monday, September 19.
Britain's King Charles III places the Queen's Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on the coffin of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during a committal service at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on Monday, September 19.
Jonathan Brady/Pool Photo via AP
Prince William looks at his son Prince George as he attends the committal service with his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and their daughter, Princess Charlotte.
Prince William looks at his son Prince George as he attends the committal service with his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and their daughter, Princess Charlotte.
Victoria Jones/Pool Photo via AP
The Dean of Windsor, David Conner, places the Imperial State Crown and Orb and Sceptre on an altar during the committal service.
The Dean of Windsor, David Conner, places the Imperial State Crown and Orb and Sceptre on an altar during the committal service.
Victoria Jones/Pool Photo via AP
Members of the royal family follow the coffin into St. George's Chapel.
Members of the royal family follow the coffin into St. George's Chapel.
Ben Birchal/Pool/AP
Pallbearers carry the Queen's coffin into St. George's Chapel.
Pallbearers carry the Queen's coffin into St. George's Chapel.
Jeff J. Mitchell/Pool/AP
The hearse carrying the coffin drives through Windsor Castle.
The hearse carrying the coffin drives through Windsor Castle.
Peter Nicholls/Pool/AP
The hearse arrives at Windsor.
The hearse arrives at Windsor.
Aaron Chown/Pool/AP
The hearse carrying the Queen's coffin enters the Windsor Castle grounds.
The hearse carrying the Queen's coffin enters the Windsor Castle grounds.
Paul Childs/Reuters
Flowers cover the hearse carrying the Queen's coffin.
Flowers cover the hearse carrying the Queen's coffin.
Alastair Grant/Pool/AP
Emma, the Queen's fell pony, stands as the procession passes by at Windsor Castle.
Emma, the Queen's fell pony, stands as the procession passes by at Windsor Castle.
Aaron Chown/Pool/AP
The Queen's coffin can be seen inside a hearse as it is driven along Albert Road in Windsor.
The Queen's coffin can be seen inside a hearse as it is driven along Albert Road in Windsor.
Molly Darlington/Pool/Reuters
The Queen's corgis, Muick and Sandy, are walked inside Windsor Castle on Monday, ahead of the committal service at St. George's Chapel. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/11/uk/queen-elizabeth-corgis-duke-duchess-york-intl/index.html" target="_blank">They are being adopted</a> by the Duke and Duchess of York.
The Queen's corgis, Muick and Sandy, are walked inside Windsor Castle on Monday, ahead of the committal service at St. George's Chapel. They are being adopted by the Duke and Duchess of York.
Glyn Kirk/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
The Queen's coffin is transported through London after her state funeral.
The Queen's coffin is transported through London after her state funeral.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
The King and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, are seen in front of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, as they watch the Queen's coffin be placed into a hearse following Monday's funeral.
The King and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, are seen in front of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, as they watch the Queen's coffin be placed into a hearse following Monday's funeral.
Martin Meissner/Pool/AP
Pallbearers transfer the Queen's coffin into a hearse at London's Wellington Arch.
Pallbearers transfer the Queen's coffin into a hearse at London's Wellington Arch.
Daniel Leal/Pool/AP
Floral tributes are seen at Windsor Castle on Monday.
Floral tributes are seen at Windsor Castle on Monday.
Henry Nicholls/Pool/Reuters
A gun carriage transports the Queen's coffin after her funeral service at Westminster Abbey.
A gun carriage transports the Queen's coffin after her funeral service at Westminster Abbey.
Stefan Rousseau/Pool/AP
The King and his sister, Princess Anne, follow the Queen's coffin after Monday's funeral service.
The King and his sister, Princess Anne, follow the Queen's coffin after Monday's funeral service.
Andreea Alexandru/Pool/AP
The Band of the Coldstream Guards plays in London on Monday.
The Band of the Coldstream Guards plays in London on Monday.
Chip Somodevilla/Pool/Reuters
The Queen's funeral procession marches down The Mall after the service at Westminster Abbey.
The Queen's funeral procession marches down The Mall after the service at Westminster Abbey.
Andrew Boyers/Reuters
People in London react while watching the funeral procession.
People in London react while watching the funeral procession.
Maja Smiejkowska/Reuters
The Queen's coffin is escorted by Royal Navy sailors as it travels from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch after the funeral.
The Queen's coffin is escorted by Royal Navy sailors as it travels from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch after the funeral.
Marco Bertorello/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
The Queen's Piper, Pipe Major Paul Burns, plays the traditional piece "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep" at the end of her funeral. For most of her reign, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/19/uk/queen-piper-funeral-westminster-gbr-intl-scli/index.html" target="_blank">the Queen was roused by the sound of bagpipes played beneath her window</a> -- at all her residences around the country.
The Queen's Piper, Pipe Major Paul Burns, plays the traditional piece "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep" at the end of her funeral. For most of her reign, the Queen was roused by the sound of bagpipes played beneath her window -- at all her residences around the country.
Gareth Cattermole/Pool/Reuters
Prince William, left, and Prince Harry follow the Queen's coffin during the procession following her funeral.
Prince William, left, and Prince Harry follow the Queen's coffin during the procession following her funeral.
Alberto Pezzali/AP
Pallbearers carry the Queen's coffin during her funeral.
Pallbearers carry the Queen's coffin during her funeral.
James Manning/Pool/AP
The Queen's coffin is carried into Westminster Abbey.
The Queen's coffin is carried into Westminster Abbey.
Ben Stansall/Pool/Reuters
From left, Prince William; Prince George; Catherine, the Princess of Wales; and Princess Charlotte attend the funeral service.
From left, Prince William; Prince George; Catherine, the Princess of Wales; and Princess Charlotte attend the funeral service.
Dominic Lipinski/Pool/AP
People in London observe <a href="https://www.cnn.com/uk/live-news/funeral-queen-elizabeth-intl-gbr/h_4fea4c9485090b4d7cc4d845b284bc66" target="_blank">two minutes of silence</a> along with others throughout the country.
People in London observe two minutes of silence along with others throughout the country.
Alkis Konstantinidis/Pool/AP
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/19/europe/queen-funeral-coffin-note-charles-gbr-intl-scli/index.html" target="_blank">A handwritten card</a> placed on top of the Queen's coffin reads, "In loving and devoted memory. Charles R." The "R" in King Charles' title refers to "Rex," which is Latin for king.
A handwritten card placed on top of the Queen's coffin reads, "In loving and devoted memory. Charles R." The "R" in King Charles' title refers to "Rex," which is Latin for king.
Phil Noble/Pool/Reuters
British Prime Minister Liz Truss speaks during the funeral service. Truss, who has been prime minister for less than two weeks, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/uk/live-news/funeral-queen-elizabeth-intl-gbr/h_635b56605100999e16165fb7ecfea8ad" target="_blank">read from the Gospel of John.</a>
British Prime Minister Liz Truss speaks during the funeral service. Truss, who has been prime minister for less than two weeks, read from the Gospel of John.
Phil Noble/Pool/Reuters
A guest reads the order of service during the funeral.
A guest reads the order of service during the funeral.
Gareth Cattermole/Pool/AP
From left, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, arrive at Westminster Abbey with Catherine's children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
From left, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, arrive at Westminster Abbey with Catherine's children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Phil Noble/Pool/AP
People cry during the funeral service.
People cry during the funeral service.
David Cliff/Pool/AP
The coffin is carried into Westminster Abbey.
The coffin is carried into Westminster Abbey.
Frank Augstein/Pool/AP
King Charles III, center, and other members of the royal family take part in the funeral procession to Westminster Abbey.
King Charles III, center, and other members of the royal family take part in the funeral procession to Westminster Abbey.
Tristan Fewings/Pool/Reuters
From left, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Camilla, the Queen Consort, are seen in a vehicle outside Westminster Abbey.
From left, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Camilla, the Queen Consort, are seen in a vehicle outside Westminster Abbey.
Andreea Alexandru/Pool/AP
Members of the British Armed Forces march during the funeral procession.
Members of the British Armed Forces march during the funeral procession.
Rupert Frere/Ministry of Defence/AP
The coffin is carried into Westminster Abbey after a short procession from Westminster Hall, where the Queen was lying in state. The coffin was draped with the Royal Standard, and the Instruments of State -- the Imperial State Crown and regalia -- <a href="https://www.cnn.com/uk/live-news/funeral-queen-elizabeth-intl-gbr/h_62df63a1713d7b8828a217117d826d9c" target="_blank">were laid upon it</a> along with a flower wreath.
The coffin is carried into Westminster Abbey after a short procession from Westminster Hall, where the Queen was lying in state. The coffin was draped with the Royal Standard, and the Instruments of State -- the Imperial State Crown and regalia -- were laid upon it along with a flower wreath.
Emilio Morenatti/Pool/AP
People stand outside Windsor Castle, where the Queen will be laid to rest.
People stand outside Windsor Castle, where the Queen will be laid to rest.
Alastair Grant/Pool/AP
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive at Westminster Abbey for the funeral.
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive at Westminster Abbey for the funeral.
Phil Noble/Pool/AP
Yeoman of the Guard arrive before the Queen's coffin was carried into Westminster Abbey.
Yeoman of the Guard arrive before the Queen's coffin was carried into Westminster Abbey.
Bernat Armangue/Pool/AP
Children look through a fence in London, hoping to catch a glimpse of the procession.
Children look through a fence in London, hoping to catch a glimpse of the procession.
Jason Cairnduff/Reuters
A King's Guard soldier crosses The Mall outside Buckingham Palace before the Queen's funeral procession.
A King's Guard soldier crosses The Mall outside Buckingham Palace before the Queen's funeral procession.
Christophe Ena/Pool/AP
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, walks outside Westminster Abbey.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, walks outside Westminster Abbey.
Hannah McKay/Pool/Reuters
Members of the Royal Navy stand outside Westminster Abbey.
Members of the Royal Navy stand outside Westminster Abbey.
Hannah Mckay/Pool/AP
People gather in central London before the start of the funeral.
People gather in central London before the start of the funeral.
Andreea Alexandru/Pool/AP
Funeral programs are left on chairs at Westminster Abbey.
Funeral programs are left on chairs at Westminster Abbey.
Phil Noble/Pool/AP
The Queen's coffin lies in state early on Monday. Mourners were able to visit Westminster Hall and pay their respects over the last few days.
The Queen's coffin lies in state early on Monday. Mourners were able to visit Westminster Hall and pay their respects over the last few days.
Yui Mok/Pool/AP
People camp out on The Mall on the eve of the funeral.
People camp out on The Mall on the eve of the funeral.
Bernat Armangue/AP
In pictures: The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

Editor’s Note: Rosa Prince is editor of The House magazine. She is the former assistant political editor of The Daily Telegraph and author of the books “Theresa May: The Enigmatic Prime Minister” and “Comrade Corbyn: A Very Unlikely Coup.” The views expressed in this commentary are her own. View more opinion on CNN.

London CNN  — 

It was a service for a great Queen, a world leader whose long shadow loomed over our ag