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End of an era: Significance of crown's removal and breaking of white staff at Queen's committal service

Queen's committal service will take place at 4pm on Monday, September 19 hours after the state funeral at Westminster Abbey

BY ANJANA PV

PUBLISHED SEP 19, 2022

The removal of the Queen's crown will mark the end of her reign (Sarah Meyssonnier-WPA Pool/Getty Images, Leon Neal - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND: The Queen's committal service, which will take place at 4.pm Monday, Sept 19, in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, will be an emotional moment. At that moment, the Imperial State Crown, orb, and scepter will be lifted from the Queen's coffin, separating the former monarch from her crown for the last time.

The service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor David Conner and the crown is removed by the Crown Jeweler. The crown and her jewels are given to the Dean, who places them on the high altar with the help of the Bargemaster and a Serjeant of Arms.

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The crown of Queen Elizabeth II is carried during for the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster on October 14, 2019 in London, England. The Queen's speech is expected to announce Plans to end the free movement of EU citizens to the UK after Brexit, New laws on crime, health and the environment. — The crown of Queen Elizabeth II will be removed for the one last time at the committal service (Hannah McKay - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the committal service will symbolize the end of Elizabeth II's reign. It will take place at George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. As reported by the Mirror, 800 people will gather in the Gothic church on Monday, September 19, including the king, the royal family, and mourners from the queen's former and current household.

(NO UK SALES FOR 28 DAYS) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II delivers her annual speech to the House of Commons at the State Opening of Parliament on November 23, 2004 in London, England. The speech delivered amid tradition and ceremony comes in the run-up to the next general election, and sets out the government's agenda for the year ahead. — The funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will take place on Monday, September 19 (ROTA/Getty Images

At the end of the service, King Charles approaches the altar and places the Camp Color of the Queen's Company of Grenadier Guards, a smaller version of the regiment's Royal Standard, on the coffin. The Grenadier Guards are the longest serving of the Foot Guards regiments. Queen Elizabeth II was their Colonel in Chief.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster on October 14, 2019 in London, England. The Queen's speech is expected to announce plans to end the free movement of EU citizens to the UK after Brexit, new laws on crime, health and the environment. — King Charles will place the Grenadier Guards’ Queen’s Company Camp Colour on Queen's coffin (Paul Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Later, Chief Baron Parker, who as Lord Chamberlain is the highest ranking official in the royal household of the former monarch, will "break" his Wand of Office and place it on the coffin. This is another symbol of the end of the Queen's reign. The ceremonial breaking of the white staff signifies the end of his service to the Queen as ruler.

Queen Elizabeth II proceeds through the Royal Gallery before the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster on May 18, 2016 in London, England. The State Opening of Parliament is the formal start of the parliamentary year. This year's Queen's Speech, setting out the government's agenda for the coming session, is expected to outline policy on prison reform, tuition fee rises and reveal the potential site of a UK spaceport. — Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-running monarch in modern history (Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

A committal service of any member of the royal family is considered to be a significant moment. The rituals of the service usually take place at the graveside, in a crematorium chapel, or in the church before burial or cremation. The Queen’s coffin will be transferred from London to Windsor in the state hearse. However, it will be a long walk that will be lined with members of the armed forces.

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge ahead of the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York and Mr. Jack Brooksbank at St. George's Chapel on October 12, 2018 in Windsor, England. — Princess Charlotte and Prince George will attend the state funeral (Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The King and other royals will join the procession on foot behind the hearse. Meanwhile, Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be at the service after attending the state funeral at Westminster Abbey. The majority of attendees of the service at St George’s Chapel will not be attending the funeral service in Westminster Abbey. Prayers will be said by the Rector of Sandringham, the Minister of Crathie Kirk, the Chaplain of Windsor Great Park, and the Dean of Windsor.

(L-R) Zara Tindall, Anne, Princess Royal, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Charles, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Queen Elizabeth II Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie, Countess of Wessex watch a fly past during the Trooping the Colour, this year marking the Queen's 90th birthday at The Mall on June 11, 2016 in London, England. The ceremony is Queen Elizabeth II's annual birthday parade and dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th Century when the Colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle. — The members of the royal family will walk to Windsor in the long procession along with King Charles (Ben A Pruchnie/Getty Images)

After the service at Windsor, there will be another private burial service where the Queen will be interred alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, and the Duke of Edinburgh in the King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George’s.