The doors to Westminster Abbey will open at 8am so the congregation can begin taking its seats. Around 500 foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the ceremony, including US president Joe Biden, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Canada’s Justin Trudeau, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern.

Royals from around the world, including Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, and the Queen’s third cousin and friend Queen Margrethe of Denmark will also be present.

They will gather at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, and travel together to the Abbey.

Among the other guests will be members of parliament and government, representatives from the church and from the charities that the Queen supported, as well as Victoria Cross and George Cross holders and members of the royal family who are not taking part in the procession from Westminster Hall.

Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral: a guide to what will happen on 19 September