Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India, died on 22 January 1901 at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, at the age of 81. At the time of her death, she was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Her state funeral took place on 2 February 1901, being one of the largest gatherings of European royalty.
Queen Victoria's funeral procession
Memorial services were held at churches across the country to coincide with the state funeral; this is the order paper for a "Special Service" at Westminster Abbey.
The Passing of a Great Queen; painting by William Wyllie
The funeral procession in London.
The Royal Navy State Funeral Gun Carriage is a converted Ordnance, BL, 12 pdr 6 cwt, MK II, gun carriage which has been used in the UK to bear the coffin at the funeral processions of: Queen Victoria; King Edward VII; King George V; King George VI; Sir Winston Churchill; Admiral of the Fleet The 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma; and Queen Elizabeth II. It is traditionally pulled by members of the Royal Navy; when not in use, it is kept at the shore establishment HMS Excellent. A smaller version, known as the Portsmouth Gun Carriage, has been used at the ceremonial funerals of several senior naval officers in the 20th century.
Royal Navy State Funeral Gun Carriage in 2022, pulled by 138 Royal Navy sailors during the funeral procession of Elizabeth II
Closeup of the Royal Navy State Funeral Gun Carriage at Elizabeth II's state funeral
The Gun Carriage at the funeral of King Edward VII in 1910.