Queen leads her family in final tributes

Dressed in simple black, a pale but dignified Queen led the nation in mourning at Westminster Abbey.

She arrived in a three-car convoy after the four-minute drive from Buckingham Palace, wearing a three-string pearl necklace, a silver brooch on her left shoulder and a black plume in her hat.

As sovereign she was the last to arrive before the coffin, and walked through the Great West Door before making her way to the seat closest to her mother's body.

Earlier the senior members of her family had taken their places around the catafalque in Westminster Hall, moments before the coffin was moved onto the gun carriage to be borne to the Abbey.

Just as in the procession from St James's Palace on Friday, Prince Philip, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke of York, all dressed in full military uniform, and the Earl of Wessex in morning suit walked solemnly behind the coffin around Parliament Square.

Behind them, to the wail of the pipers, strode Princes William and Harry, Viscount Linley and Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips, their heads bowed. In all their eyes was the clear understanding that this was the final farewell.

The five senior members of the royal family stood to attention as the coffin was inched off the gun carriage and raised on the pall bearers' shoulders.

Led by Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, they filed slowly behind, removing their caps as it was carried into Westminster Abbey.

Other members of the royal family were already in their seats for the service, including Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel, the Princess Royal's husband Commodore Timothy Laurence with the Princess's daughter Zara Phillips, the Duke of York's daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and Viscountess Linley.

Behind them were Princess Alexandra with her daughter Marina Ogilvy, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent with their children Lord Frederick Windsor and Lady Gabriella Windsor, Lady Helen Taylor with her husband Timothy, the Duke and Duchess of Kent with Lord Nicholas Windsor and the Earl and Countess of St Andrews, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester with their children the Earl of Ulster, Lady Davina Windsor and Lady Rose Windsor.

In a separate area were those, for differing reasons, judged to be on the fringes of the royal family - Camilla Parker Bowles and the Duchess of York.

Pictures: The royal mourners
Pictures: The ceremony
Camilla's presence signals shift in attitudes
The nation stands still as a mark of respect