We go in slow, mournful procession from St James’s Palace to Westminster Abbey. Queen Mary’s body has lain in state here since her death on November 17th. Her body lay there under the cloth of state and I frequently went there to be alone, to be peaceful and to be near her. Now we head slowly towards the Abbey, the coffin draped in cloth of gold and with a full-sized wooden effigy of the queen, which is crowned and carries a sceptre and orb on top. Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox, Queen Mary’s cousin, is the chief mourner.
We follow the funeral chariot, her loyal men and women all in black. Head to toe. At each corner of the chariot a herald on horseback is positioned bearing a banner of the four English royal saints. Mary’s ladies, headed by Margaret Douglas, follow on behind. Marga
