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last goodbye

Who are the Queen’s funeral directors William Purves?

THE QUEEN'S coffin was transported from Scotland on Tuesday, September 13, before she began lying-in-state in Westminster Hall.

During her transportation from Balmoral, where she passed away on September 8, mourners noticed she was carried in a hearse with a name written across it. Here is everything we know about the Queen's funeral directors:

Who are The Queen's funeral directors William Purves?

The funeral directors to the Royal Household are selected and appointed by the Lord Chamberlain's Office. 

As the Queen made her final journey from her beloved Balmoral, the emotional scenes were broadcast live on television, with millions watching from home.

As Her Majesty's oak coffin draped with the Royal Standard for Scotland left Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, it was carried in a hearse with the name William Purves on the windows.

Funeral directors William Purves transported the Queen on the six-hour journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh.

Funeral directors William Purves transported the Queen on the six-hour journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh
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Funeral directors William Purves transported the Queen on the six-hour journey from Balmoral to EdinburghCredit: Getty Images

The family-run funeral directors handled the Scottish aspect of the arrangements but Leverton & Sons, based in Camden, London - are responsible for the funeral overall.

Leverton & Sons were responsible for organising the funerals of the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Baroness Thatcher and Prince Philip.

Read More on The Queen's death

William Purves website, which crashed after thousands rushed to visit the family funeral director's site, states: ''When you place your trust in William Purves you can expect the highest standards of professionalism, compassionate care and a truly distinct service.

''Whatever you need, whatever your plans, lean on our experience, wherever and whenever you need us.''

Their website crashed as thousands of mourners watched the royal convoy make its way from Balmoral to Edinburgh.

Eagle-eyed viewers must have noticed the name written across the hearse and rushed to find out more about the funeral directors.

The influx of web-traffic caused their website to crash, and a 'Bad Gateway error' message to appear on the screen.

This came as the funeral directors took the Queen's coffin on the six-hour journey across Scotland.

Where will the Queen be laid to rest?

The Queen will be buried in her beloved Windsor, in the King George VI memorial chapel - alongside her late husband Prince Philip.

She will also be buried alongside her father, the late King George VI, her mother, and her sister, Princess Margaret.

The chapel, named after the Queen’s father, was built in 1969 within the main St George’s Chapel.

Within the chapel are the tombs of 10 sovereigns and some of their family members.

When is The Queen's funeral?

The Queen's funeral is taking place on Monday, September 19, 2022 at Westminster Abbey.

Her coffin will be moved from Westminster Hall, where she is lying-in-state, to Westminster Abbey at 10:44am.

Her state funeral will then commence at 11am and will be led by the Dean of Westminster.

There will be around 2000 attendees, including foreign royals and world leaders.

The state funeral service is expected to last about an hour and will finish at 12 noon.

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Following the state funeral, Her Majesty's coffin will be transported to St George's Chapel in Windsor, where her committal service will take place at 4pm.

The committal service is expected to have about 800 guests, including Prime Minister Liz Truss and The Archbishop of Canterbury.

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