The Queen’s funeral took 20 years to prepare, and the man behind it did it for free

On Monday, one of the most significant events in contemporary British history will occur: the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

On this day, 2,000 people are anticipated to enter Westminster Abbey to pay their respects to the monarch, who died peacefully on September 8 at the age of 96 at her estate in Balmoral, Scotland. On the guest list include royal family members, including King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry, as well as foreign leaders such as President Joe Biden and Justin Trudeau.

However, ensuring that the event runs smoothly in a manner that honors a queen who reigned for seventy years is no simple assignment. According to The Times of London, it required 20 years of planning by a man who stated he did it all for free.

As reported by parliamentary historian Daniel Brittain for The Times on Thursday, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, who inherited the title of 18th Duke of Norfolk after his father’s death in 2002, is in charge of preparing the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Fitzalan-Howard, 65, stated in an interview with Brittain that ensuring the funeral happens as planned is “quite daunting,” but he is rising to the occasion.

The Duke of Norfolk, depicted during King Charles III’s proclamation.

Jamie Lorriman, WPA Pool, courtesy of Getty Images

Fitzalan-Howard was born to design royal events. When his father passed away, he also received the position of earl marshal of England. According to The Guardian, this places him in charge of preparing the state opening of Parliament, royal state funerals, and the coronations of new rulers.

Brittain asserts that the duke descends from the same dynasty that has organized royal funerals and coronations since 1672.

From the time he took over in 2002 until April of this year, Fitzalan-Howard said Brittain, the funeral planning staff increased from twenty to two hundred and eighty members.

He said that he may consider the 1952 funeral of the Queen’s father, King George VI, as a point of reference. “However, that occurred 70 years ago,” Fitzalan-Howard noted. I’ve always been aware that ceremonial practices must evolve with the times.

He stated that it was vital to alter the 200-year-old custom surrounding royal deaths in Britain.

The site of the funeral is among the most notable modifications.

In order to accommodate a larger guest list, unlike the funerals for King George VI and Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s will be held at Westminster Abbey and not Windsor Castle.

And after all the years he spent organizing the burial, the duke informed Brittain that he did it all for free.

“I will not charge the state a dime for my work as earl marshal,” he stated.