3-004-031 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Funeral of His Late Royal Highness the Prince Consort: the Funeral Procession in the nave of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, 1861. 'By the express desire of his Royal Highness the funeral was of the plainest and most private character...A gradually rising platform led from the Castle-yard into the nave [of St George's Chapel], along the sides and centre of which a stage had been erected...This stage...and the floor of the chapel itself, were covered with black cloth; a simple white line marking the course of the bier from the west end of the nave to the entrance of the Royal vault...The pallbearers having assumed their office, the procession now moved very slowly down the south aisle...On arriving at the western door the procession wheeled round and advanced up the centre of the nave towards the choir. This was, perhaps, the most impressive part of the ceremonial for a spectator. The solemnity of the musical service, and the almost imperceptible motion of the bier as it approached the Royal vault, were peculiarly imposing...The State pages and members of the Queen's household were ranged along each side of the nave, and beyond this very limited body none others were permitted to be present in the chapel'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.