How the Queen's funeral seating plan was determined
Just like every other royal event this week, the Queen's funeral was planned to a tee. And one of the most important parts of her service at Westminster Abbey was the seating plan.
The royal family members certainly weren't seated on a first-come-first-serve basis, but followed a strict seating chart determined by each individual's place in the royal hierarchy.
READ MORE: Meghan emotional as she departs from Queen's final goodbye
Of course, King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, were seated in the prime position at the front of the Abbey, closest to the Queen's coffin.
Where the royals were sitting during the Queen's funeral at Westminster Abbey. 9Honey/Tara Blancato
To Camilla's left sat Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Beside them, also in the front row, were the Queen's other two children: Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, along with the latter's wife, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex.
Across the aisle were William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, with their kids, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, along with Peter Phillips and Zara and Mike Tindall.
READ MORE: Princess Charlotte in tears during Queen's farewell
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, during the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II. Nine
Onlookers were surprised to see Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex relegated to the second row, behind the King and Queen Consort and right next to Princess Beatrice.
But it wasn't a snub – the seating plan makes sense when you consider the line of succession and their role as non-working royals. The Sussexes still played a key role at Her Majesty's state funeral.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives at Westminster Abbey for The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Getty
At the beginning of the service, the duo walked side-by-side behind the Queen's coffin inside Westminster Abbey as it proceeded to the Quire, just behind William and Catherine, and George and Charlotte.
Meghan was also spotted mingling with Catherine and the Wales children outside the chapel ahead of the service.
Princess Beatrice was seated next to Meghan and Harry, along with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
George and Charlotte were the only two of the Queen's great-grandchildren in attendance. PA Images via Getty Images
READ MORE: Special meaning behind items atop Queen's coffin
Beside him sat the remaining of the Queen's grandkids: Lady Louise, James, Viscount Severn, Princess Eugenie (and her husband Jack Brooksbank), and finally, Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew's ex-wife.
The congregation inside Westminster Abbey was over 2,000 strong, with world leaders travelling from around the globe to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth.
Members of the royal family Mike Tindall and Zara Tindall, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn attend the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Getty
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in attendance, as was his Kiwi counterpart, Jacinda Ardern, who wore a traditional Maori cloak over her dress.
READ MORE: King Charles' five final words to the Queen
Viewers were also surprised to see the face of a familiar A-list actress in the black-clad crowd at Westminster Abbey. Sandra Oh, of Grey's Anatomy fame, was an official invitee to the funeral, after receiving an Order of Canada earlier this year. It is the country's second highest civilian honour, originally created by the Queen in 1967.
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