The coffin of the queen in Westminster Hall, for four days the homage of the subjects to Elizabeth II

A great and majestic collective embrace, as it could only be for a queen who has gone through almost a century of history.

For

queen, par excellence.

Everything happens in London, in the heart of her Great Britain, in her Westminster. 

The British capital has kicked off the final chapter of the very long farewell to Elizabeth II, who died 96 years old on 8 September last after 70 years of reign "from the Guinness Book of Records", opening the doors of

, the only remaining medieval building of the complex in bank of the Thames where the oldest Parliament in the world is housed.

Thus began four days of public, mass tributes, perfect for a solemn funeral choreography, as befits a beloved sovereign.

will end with the

, in the presence of the powerful of the Earth, over 500 invited delegations.

The journey from Buckingham Palace, the official residence where he spent the first night in London, to the place where he met the people - lined up like an interminable human snake along the streets - was short but full of symbols and suggestions.

A procession punctuated by the notes of

- with red jackets and the typical, tall black hats - all tight once again around their

.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

The procession from above

The march of the footsteps and the beats of the drums, the gunfire and the peals of Big Ben: the day of the

from the royal palace to Westminster was marked by many sounds.

Her Majesty's coffin, wrapped in the royal banner and topped by the Imperial Crown, as well as a pillow of flowers picked among her favorites in the garden of Windsor Castle and in that of the Scottish residence of Balmoral, has made the journey to the Thames on a horse-drawn cannon carriage, as tradition dictates.

I was maybe 5 or 6, going to school in Islington.

One day in class they tell us that we would have visitors: and here she is, the queen.

Many years have passed.

I don't remember anything from before, very little from after, but that moment remains indelible

Christine

The weather was milder, after the evening rain that welcomed his arrival in the English capital yesterday.

The cloudy sky opened to a timid sun, but always remained clear of planes: many scheduled flights, in fact, were diverted for the occasion.

While thousands and thousands of men and women followed the funeral journey in respectful silence, occasionally broken by some kind applause.

But it is the numbers that are expected to impress: by Monday, up to

should turn up , only among those who will be able to access the Hall, according to the forecasts of London's public transport managers;

up to

, according to other estimates.

Those who are preparing to queue to see the coffin of the sovereign for the last time are preparing for a wait of over

.

You know, it's because she's been with us all these years, in our homes.

Every Christmas she sat at the table with us, with her usual message broadcast on TV

Laura

Following her closely, there was the representation of soldiers and some faithful collaborators of the Royal House, the most intimate nucleus of the family: the four children of Elizabeth (

with the princes

,

and

);

in the second row,

with William at Harry's side, as if to put aside controversy and gossip;

then Peter Phillips (son of Anna and eldest grandson of the sovereign);

her cousin, Duke of Gloucester, the Earl of Snowdon (son of the late sister Margaret) and Vice Admiral Tim Laurence (wife of Anna).

This is the heart of a dynasty that, albeit amidst vicissitudes, scandals and different roles, aims to renew its prestige in the most difficult moment, precisely when the main lighthouse that has illuminated it in the last 70 years is missing.

Leon Neal / Getty Images

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II makes her final journey

In the funeral home a brief rite of blessing the coffin;

then the choirs of sacred hymns, the call to the Queen's Christian faith made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

Then, again, the recitation of the Our Father, in a voice with the rector of Westminster Abbey, David Hoyle.

Final remnants of a ceremony, which was followed by the touching final deposition of the personal banner of Elizabeth II at the foot of the coffin;

then the first vigil entrusted to the political leaders of the Kingdom (from Prime Minister Tory Liz Truss to the leader of the Labor opposition Keir Starmer; from the independence prime minister of the Scottish government, Nicola Sturgeon, to the leader of the Northern Irish Republicans of Sinn Finn, Michelle O 'Neill).

Finally, the opening of doors to ordinary people, amidst tears, dignified bows,

Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

Arrival at Westiminster Hall

Who was and who was Elizabeth II?

Over the years, and 70 years of reign are many, she has transformed.

Her distinctive trait, however, remained her sincerity.

And empathy too.

Plus, let me tell you, an excellent sense of humor

Victoria

Other countries excluded from the funeral

The list of countries completely excluded from invitations to state funerals is getting longer.

Unofficial sources of the British government have informed the BBC that the court has crossed out - evidently on the recommendation of the new conservative prime minister Liz Truss - any possible involvement of representatives not only of government, but also diplomats, of countries under sanctions by the West such as

,

and

;

_

in addition to Vladimir Putin's Russia, put on the index due to the war in Ukraine since recent days, together with

and

.

Among the countries unwelcome to the great American ally, both

, both

and even

, albeit invited to the level of ambassadors and not of rulers.

Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images

William and Harry follow Queen Elizabeth's coffin

The ups and downs, Elizabeth II, has always admitted them, not everyone is capable of doing it.

In short, let's face it, an extraordinary woman, a colossal character.

I think Macron said it best of all.

Yes, I quote the French president, who in his condolence message said: 'For you she is your queen, for us she is

queen "

Brian