Why did the Queen’s coffin leave Buckingham Palace at 2:22pm?

Virgin Radio

15 Sep 2022, 08:17

The Queen’s procession left Buckingham Palace for the final time on Wednesday (14th September) and at precisely 2:22pm, her coffin was moved to Westminster Hall in preparation of her lying in state.

Floods of people lined the streets to pay their respects as King Charles made the 38-minute journey on foot with other members of the Royal Family by his side.

The procession passed by the Queen’s Gardens, The Mall, Horse Guards and Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square and New Palace Yard before arriving at Westminster Hall at around 3pm.

Of course, everything about the journey was carefully planned and carried out, including the exact time the Queen left Buckingham Palace for the final time at 2:22pm.

According to Christianity, the number 222 is a symbol from God, and is meant to symbolise unity, love and our relationship with Him. The number two alone also represents new beginnings as it was on the second day that God created Heaven, separating it from Earth.

Others have also speculated that leaving at this time would ensure the Queen arrived at Westminster by 3pm, which is the same time that Jesus died on the cross.

It’s important to note that the Palace has not disclosed the reason for the exact timing, but that hasn’t stopped people from coming up with their own theories.

Another popular speculation is this was a touching tribute to King George VI, the Queen's father.

When the King died in 1952, bells at Westminster Abbey sounded and the Sebastopol bell, which rings only when a sovereign dies, also chimed. It was rung 56 times at Windsor for each year of the King’s life and the last bell sounded at 2:22pm, the same time the Queen’s procession started.

The other possibility is the timing could have something to do with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, which she celebrated earlier this year.

Queen Elizabeth II marked 70 years on the throne in February 2022 (2/22), so this could have been a tribute to her being the longest serving monarch in history.

Crowds have been slowing filing past the Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall since 5pm yesterday evening (14th September) and will continue to do so 24 hours a day until her period of lying in state ends on Monday 19th September at 6:30am- the day of her state funeral.