Where in Cambridgeshire to watch the Queen’s state funeral

The state funeral of Her Majesty the Queen takes place on Monday, September 19, and there are a number of places you can watch it in public, from cathedrals to cinemas.

The funeral officially begins at 11am.

Here are your options.

Great St Mary’s Church, Cambridge

The University of Cambridge church in Senate House Hill will screen the funeral and has invited the public to attend. The shop, tower, and Michaelhouse café will be closed on Monday. The church is also hosting a service of commemoration from 5pm on Sunday, September 18, which you can read about here.

Vue Cambridge

While most cinemas are closing on Monday, Vue is airing the funeral for free on some of its big screens, including in Cambridge.

The cinema said: “Seats will be free of charge and our retail offering on this day will be limited to complimentary bottled water during the broadcast, with no other snacks or drinks available for purchase. On this day we will not be showing our normal programme of films.”

You can book your ticket here.

Ely Cathedral

The cathedral will screen live coverage from 10.30am until about 1pm, which is the point Her Majesty’s coffin is due to reach Wellington Arch, before making the final journey by car to Windsor.

All are welcome and there is no need to book, but seating will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

The audience will watch the service and procession on a large screen under the Octagon. The audience will be able to move around freely during the proceedings. Those attending are being asked not to bring large bags into the cathedral.

The audience will be required to observe the national two minutes’ silence which will take place at the end of the funeral service which is expected to be around noon.”

A spokesperson for Ely Cathedral said: “Ely Cathedral stands in the very heart of this community. As a Christian place of worship since 673, its heritage, longevity and continuity has provided a place of comfort and reflection, particularly in recent days.

“We have seen many people come into the cathedral to express their sadness following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and to thank God for her life and her service. It seems right and fitting that the Cathedral provides a place for people to come together in sorrow and in gratitude, on such a momentous occasion”.

Peterborough Cathedral

A large screen in the nave of Peterborough Cathedral will show the BBC’s coverage of the funeral.

The screening, in collaboration with Peterborough City Council, will begin from 10am, prior to the funeral, which starts at 11am.

Before and after the service, tea and coffee will be available in the cathedral free of charge. The screening is due to finish by around 1pm.

Anyone can come along and there is no entry fee or need to book, but donations are invited.

Guests are encouraged to be present in time for the 11am service, but the doors will remain open for people to arrive whenever they can.

The Very Revd Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough, said: “We really hope that the live screening will be an opportunity for people to come together and share the experience of watching Her Late Majesty’s funeral. I know many people have been surprised by the strength of their grief at her passing and, whilst some will want to be at home, for others this is a time to draw comfort from one another, to be able to chat before and afterwards, and to be in a shared sacred space.”

Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald, Leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “Many people will choose to watch Queen Elizabeth’s funeral at home, but we know that others will want to come into our city centre to watch it and what better place than our beautiful Norman cathedral.

“I would like to thank the cathedral for working with us to make this possible and to ensure people can come together to experience what will become a very important moment in our history.”

A single cathedral bell will toll for one hour before the service.

Luxe Cinema, Wisbech

The cinema will screen the funeral service, with tickets available free of charge from the box office. Doors will open at 10am.

Watching on TV

The BBC’s special programming will air from 8am until 5pm on BBC One and iPlayer, with BSL signed coverage on BBC Two.

ITV’s programming will start at 9.30am, and all the day’s programming – from 6am to midnight – will be broadcast simultaneously on the main channel and five digital channels and the ITV Hub, the first time the broadcaster has done so.