Death of Elizabeth II: why the queen’s coffin is lined with lead

This Monday, September 12, eight men transported the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II to Edinburgh Cathedral. Like the coffin of her husband, who died in April 2021, that of the monarch is made of English oak, but is also lined with lead. A lining that is not insignificant. According to The Times magazine, this makes it possible to make the coffin airtight. An important detail since it will not be buried.

Indeed, the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II will end up at Windsor Castle, more precisely at the King George VI Memorial, with his parents and his sister, Margaret. This lead lining therefore protects the inside of the coffin from moisture. This would slow down the decomposition of the body. According to the Mental Floss website, Princess Diana’s coffin was also made in this way. It would then be of a tradition of the royal family. Finally, the brass handles are designed specifically for royal caskets. The same goes for the lid which is to accommodate the insignia of the British monarchy.

Elizabeth II: a queen’s coffin

The London company Leverton and Sons is in charge of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The company explained 4 years ago not know the origin of these coffins. “It is made of English oak, which is very hard to find” and obviously very expensive, explained Andrew Leverton. “It’s not something you can make in a day” he added. The scarcity of the wood and the lead lining are indeed labor intensive. Which explains why the queen’s coffin had already been ready for three decades. The public will be able to see the coffin of the British sovereign, but it will remain closed. The royal standard will be placed on his coffin. The same one that traditionally floated above Buckingham Palace to announce the Queen’s presence. Two royal insignia, the scepter and the orb and a globe surmounted by a cross which symbolizes the Christian world will also be deposited on his coffin. More than 750,000 people are expected from next Wednesday at the Palace. “The line is likely to be very long. You will have to wait for many hours, sometimes at night and with few opportunities to sit” said the British government. Those who wish to pay a last tribute to the British sovereign are therefore warned.