From left: Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.Photo: Bettmann/Getty
Queen Elizabeth II’s upcoming state funeral will be the first of its kind since that of her father and predecessor,King George VI.
The King died in 1952, immediately passing the reign for his oldest daughter,Queen Elizabeth, that would last 70 years — the longest of any British monarch in history.
After more than a week of various mourning eventsfollowing her deathon September 8,the Queen’s state funeral will take placeMonday at Westminster Abbey in London — and the upcoming service has many wondering how it will compare to her father’s funeral seven decades ago.
Here’s a look back at the death and funeral of King George VI.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
When did King George die?
King George was found dead in his bed at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England, on February 6, 1952, at the age of 56 — at which point his older daughter, Princess Elizabeth, immediately becameQueen ElizabethII,though her coronationdid not take place until June of the following year.
The King had previously suffered from lung cancer and had a lung removed; it was later determined that he had died of coronary thrombosis.
For more on the Royals, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
Where was Queen Elizabeth?
The final time King George and Princess Elizabeth, then 25, were together was six days prior to the King’s death on January 31, when he went to London Airport to see her andPrince Philipoff on their Commonwealth tour, which was slated to include visits to Australia and New Zealand, representing the King who was too ill to travel.
At the time of his death, thethen-Princess was in Kenya with Philip, then 30. Due to their remote location, they did not get the news of the King’s death immediately.
Queen Elizabeth.Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty
What happened immediately after the King’s death?
The King’s coffin initially rested at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk beginning Feb. 6, 1952, before lying in state at Westminster Hall in London — wherethe Queen’s coffin is currently being kept— beginning five days later.
More than 300,000 people filed past the King’s coffin to pay their respects as he lay in state while a short service took place, according toWestminster Abbey’s website.
King George VI’s funeral.George W. Hales/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty
When and where was the King’s funeral?
King George’s funeral took place at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on February 15, 1952. While the procession was televised, the funeral itself was not — making the Queen’s upcoming funeral the first British sovereign’s to be televised,CBC Newsreports.
King George VI’s funeral.Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty
Who was in attendance at King George’s funeral?
Queen Elizabeth was in attendance for her father’s state funeral, as were his widow,Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and his younger daughter,Princess Margaret.
Several other members of the House of Windsor were in attendance, along with members of the Mountbatten family, Teck-Cambridge family and royalty and political leaders from other nations including Norway, Iraq, the Netherlands, Denmark, Jordan, France and more, per theLondon Gazette.
King George VI’s funeral.Hulton Archive/Getty
Where is the King’s coffin today?
Queen Elizabeth’s final resting place will be the same as her father’s: in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, following a committal service. The King’s coffin was originally interred at the Royal Vault beneath the chapel but was moved to the King George VI Memorial Chapel, part of St. George’s Chapel, on March 26, 1969.
Queen Elizabeth.Daily Mail/Shutterstock
As the Queen is laid to rest on Monday,Prince Philip, who died at age 99in April 2021, will be moved from the Royal Vault, where he has been temporarily interred, and placed beside his wife,The Telegraphreported.
source: people.com
