A touching moment as a large and silent crowd welcomed the Queen home for the last time

A people’s honor guard lined the Queen’s final journey as she returned home at Windsor Castle for the last time yesterday.

The hearse carried her coffin up the Long Walk – a road she had often driven herself – to the place that had been her home since childhood.

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The rousing sound of bagpipes filled the air as the funeral procession set off on the final and most poignant leg of their journey.

It was the last time her people would see her.

Amid the thunder of cannon fired by the King’s Troop at one-minute intervals, Her Majesty’s coffin entered the Long Walk at about 3:10 p.m.

En route to Windsor Castle – the final resting place of the late sovereign – the procession was greeted by a sea of ​​their adoring subjects.

More than 200,000 people had gathered to see their beloved Queen “come home”.

A sombre silence fell on the crowd, many of whom had waited overnight as they watched the Cortège slowly move down part of the famous three-mile avenue.

The huge crowd bowed their heads as Her Majesty’s coffin came into view and the procession marched slowly.

A dismounted detachment of the Household Cavalry Regiment, marching with swords pointing to the ground, led the way.

Then came a mounted division of the sovereign’s escort, resplendent in red uniforms, followed by column after column of military precision.

A total of 406 military personnel escorted Her Majesty on foot and on horseback.

Hundreds of police officers from across the country stood ten meters apart on either side of the street, watching the crowd.

Another 477 soldiers, sailors, Royal Marines and RAF personnel watched.

They presented their weapons as the coffin passed and stood with heads bowed and guns pointed downward.

Forty members of the royal household also escorted the state hearse.

The crowd gave soft applause as the vehicle – covered in flowers thrown by well-wishers – drove towards the castle.

As the Cortège neared Cambridge Gate, kilt-clad members of a large fife and drum band from the Coldstream Guards and Household Cavalry played a rousing tune.

As the hearse completed its journey, the castle’s Sevastopol bell also rang – something that only happens when a British monarch dies.

Flights to and from nearby Heathrow were suspended and the procession entered the castle grounds at 3.40pm.

Many well-wishers braved the cold overnight to earn a front row seat to history.

Tents were forbidden, so most slept in camp chairs or on blankets huddled with bottles of tea and soup.

When the funeral began in London, young and old alike had watched in awe as the Westminster Abbey service was shown on giant television screens and heard through giant loudspeakers.

Later, as the Cortège entered the Long Walk, the screens were turned off and the assembled were able to say their final farewells as Her Majesty’s coffin rolled by.

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