Significance of the mysterious empty seat in front of King Charles during Queen’s committal service
LONDON, ENGLAND: On Monday afternoon, September 19, the royal family gathered in Windsor for a committal service marking the burial of Queen Elizabeth II at St George's Chapel, but one seat was conspicuously empty. Some have speculated that this may be a planned gesture to commemorate a deceased member of the royal family. However, according to Express UK, the reason for the empty seat is a matter of protocol to ensure that the monarch has a clear and unobstructed view of the service.
Similar incidents occurred in other cases before the Queen's death. Her Majesty and the late Prince Philip sat in the second row with a vacant seat in front, while the Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York, sat right next to the vacant seat at the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. The same happened at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May, despite unfounded rumors that the groom wanted to leave the seat empty in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Independent, "The seat in front of the Queen always remains empty and she has a favorite seat in St George's Chapel."
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Meanwhile, the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II was held on Monday, September 19, at Westminster Abbey in London. President Joe Biden was among the nearly 500 foreign leaders present to bid the queen farewell. The Queen's coffin began its 1.5-mile journey through the heart of London, past the Buckingham Palace residence to the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner. The monarch and the royal family followed on foot. The coffin was subsequently carried onto a hearse and transported to Windsor Castle, located west of London, for a service at St George's Chapel.
King Charles III places the Camp Colour of the Queen's Company on his late mother's coffin during her committal service at St George's Chapel, Windsor.
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King Charles, Camilla, Princess Anne, and Prince Andrew once again followed their mother's coffin into the chapel, with the Prince and Princess of Wales and their two elder children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The Dean of Windsor provided a reading of Revelation 21.1-7 following the prayers and hymns. The Lord's Prayer will be read by other clergies, among other prayers. The casket was then lowered during a Committal as the Dean of Windsor recited Psalm 103:13–7. The Queen’s coffin will be laid to rest in George VI memorial chapel in St George’s Chapel, alongside her husband Prince Philip, and Queen Elizabeth's parents King George VI, Queen Mother, and sister Princess Margaret.
