Both the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II and that of Prince Philip, who died in April 2021, are lined with lead and were made more than 30 years ago. Why?
The coffin of Elizabeth II, in front of which hundreds of thousands of people will parade to her funeral, is made of English oak and lined with lead and was manufactured more than 30 years ago, like that of her husband, Prince Philip, who died in April 2021, explained this Monday (09.12.2022) the newspaper The Times.
The London funeral company Leverton and Sons, in charge of the royal funeral, explained to the British newspaper four years ago that they did not know when or who had made both coffins, which were given to them in 1991 when they began to work as official suppliers of the British royal house. . "It is made of English oak, which is very difficult to find" and very expensive, its director Andrew Leverton explained at the time.
Why is the coffin lined with lead?
For centuries, kings, queens, princes and princesses have been placed in lead coffins to better preserve their bodies, reports IFL Science. The lead lining – which makes it extremely heavy for its eight bearers – makes the coffin airtight.
This is especially important as the coffin will be placed in a crypt and not buried. Similarly, before this, the public will not be able to see the face of the queen, whose coffin will lie closed and covered with her royal banner and regalia.
According to the scientific community, lead-lined coffins slow down the decomposition of the body by keeping moisture out of the coffin. Lead does not decompose and therefore remains airtight, preventing decomposition but also odor release.
Other details of the royal coffin
The brass handles are designed specifically for royal coffins, as is the lid, which must support the regalia of the monarchy. "It's not something that can be done in a day," Leverton told The Times.
After being exposed in Edinburgh, the coffin will be transported to London on Tuesday night. The following day, he will be placed in a purple-draped catafalque in the Palace of Westminster and guarded by guards.
The royal standard, the emblem of the monarchy that traditionally flew over Buckingham, Sandrigham or Windsor when the queen was there, will cover her coffin.
Two royal insignia will also be placed on the coffin, the scepter and the orb, a globe topped by a cross that symbolizes the Christian world.
