The queen's funeral FAQs

Queen Elizabeth II's remains returned to London on Tuesday, and there are some questions about her funeral on Sept. 19: Who's going? And what can we expect from a ceremony mourning one of the world's longest-tenured and best-known leaders? 

I'm Hannah Yasharoff, a USA TODAY reporter who has covered royal family news for the last several years, including late Prince Philip's declining health, the birth of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's children and the latest queen and succession announcements this past week. 

The queen's body made the trip home from Scotland, where she died on Thursday at age 96. Her oak coffin was crafted more than 30 years ago and is so heavy it'll take eight military bearers to carry it – you can read more here about the details of creating a coffin fit for a queen. 

Crowds have flocked to Buckingham Palace to pay their final respects, and Princess Anne, who said she was "fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother’s life," expressed gratitude to those sharing their "love and respect." 

On Wednesday, Queen Elizabeth's body will be moved from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament to lie in state for four days. Her state funeral will be held on Monday, ending the 10-day period of national mourning. 

President Joe Biden will attend the funeral next week but he won't bring a delegation to London, which means it's unlikely that former presidents Barack Obama or Donald Trump will go. Other world leaders – including those from Japan, Brazil, Canada, France and Turkey – are also expected to attend. 

In the days leading up to the funeral, my colleagues will continue to bring you thoughtful, informative coverage of everything from palace updates to an explainer on what, if any, power England's monarchs hold in the 21st century to a thought piece on what it means that England will be ruled by kings for the foreseeable future.

- Hannah