The doors of Westminster Abbey have opened ahead of the state funeral for Britain’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
It is understood King Charles III will lead the procession behind his late mother’s coffin on the poignant journey from Westminster Hall to the abbey later on today (September 19).
As millions of viewers across the globe tune in to watch the historic moment onscreen, at least 100 world leaders, 500 dignitaries and more than 2,000 attendees are set to attend Her Royal Highness’ funeral.
Amongst the heads of state and royal family members finding their seats at the abbey, a slew of famous faces who grew close to the late monarch throughout her reign are also expected to attend the royal funeral.
Ahead of the moving funeral set to start at 11am, Daily Star have taken a deep dive inside the star-studded guest list hoping to pay their respects to the late Queen.
Bear Grylls
(Image: Getty Images)
Securing his seat at Westminster Abbey is Bear Grylls as he led the slew of celebrities attending Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
The TV personality, 48, was seen waving at photographers parked outside the Abbey ahead of Her Royal Highness’ service at 11am.
He rocked a long black blazer complete with tail feathers and his OBE medal pinned to his pocket, which he paired with black and white stripped trousers and smart black leather shoes.
The dad-of-three could be seen rocking a full moustache as he beamed to the cameras before he entered the Abbey.
(Image: Getty Images)
Naturalist Bear – who had met the Queen on a number of occasions through his work as the Chief Scout when he was appointed an Officer of the British Empire back in 2019 – previously paid tribute to the late monarch online.
He penned: “I was lucky to meet the Queen on a bunch of different occasions – from the amazing evenings she hosted for Explorers at Buckingham Palace to sitting next to her at dinner one time and she did my OBE.
“The times i met her, the times she lit up the most, was whenever we did something Scouting. I think it was one of the organisations she was most proud to represent.
“I remember especially in 2012 driving her up and down the ranks as she inspected all the Queen’s Scouts. This was the time when her face was just a huge beaming smile from start to finish.
“She just loved seeing young people get opportunities and skills routed in old fashioned values like kindness, loyalty, friendship and respect that will never go out of fashion.”
Sophie Winkleman
(Image: Channel 4)
Also seen in attendance was Peep show star Sophie Winkleman who was accompanied by her husband Lord Frederick and his mother Princess Michael of Kent.
The starlet donned a simple black midi-dress which featured a centre slit and cinched in at her waist with a delicate black belt joined with a gold buckle.
She paired the garment with a flat black hat complete with black mesh which covered her brunette locks that had been pulled neatly back into a low ponytail.
(Image: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)
The Big Suze star – who played the on-off love interest in the Channel 4 sitcom – regularly attends major royal events after she tied the knot to Lord Frederick Windsor back in 2009.
Her husband – who is the son of Prince Michael of Kent, a cousin of the Queen – also holds the title Lady Frederick Windsor but she rarely uses her title in her professional life.
Sandra Oh
(Image: ABC)
Eagle-eyed viewers also spotted Killing Eve star Sandra Oh amongst the attendees at Her Royal Highness’ state funeral.
The Grey’s Anatomy star was pictured entering Westminster Abbey alongside other dignitaries to pay their respects to the late monarch.
She appeared alongside the delegation as a member of the Order of Canada in addition to musician Gregory Charles and Olympic gold medallist swimmer Mark Tewksbury.
(Image: BBC)
The country’s delegation was led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, in addition to governor general Mary Simon as well as former Prime Ministers and governor generals.
The actress was granted the honour back in June for her “artistic career filled with memorable stage, television and film roles in Canada and abroad.”
Penny Lancaster
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Rod Stewart’s wife Penny Lancaster was also spotted shuffling through the crowd on the Mall as the blonde bombshell aided with police security in the capital.
The rocker’s wife donned an all-black police uniform complete with a bullet-proof vest which had the City of London Police badge all over it.
She pulled her luscious blonde tresses back into a sleek low bun which she fixed with a camouflage hair tie and hair net so that her police hat could sit firmly on top of her head.
The professional model, 51, finished the look with a full face of minimal makeup as she embraced her natural beauty for the historic event.
(Image: Twitter)
But this isn’t the first time the star has been spotted patrolling the streets for Her Royal Highness, after she volunteered the day after the Queen died on September 9.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, the starlet confessed: “It was a great privilege to work at the Queen’s memorial service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Friday.
“I signed the oath of Office of Constable to Her Majesty the Queen just over a year ago, April last year, and just as the seamless tie between Her Majesty and King Charles III, my oath will now be with the King.”
She continued: “It’s always an honour and a pleasure and they’re just a family like all other families, but they have this huge responsibility to be the head of state and to do the work that they do for the country of the commonwealth.
“I’m just in absolute admiration of them,” she concluded.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
