Liz Truss and Lady Scotland were the only two politicians to speak and give Bible readings at the Queen’s funeral.
Truss, who became Prime Minister two weeks ago, was accompanied by her husband Hugh O’Leary to the service at Westminster Abbey. She was greeted by members of the clergy and took turns shaking hands with them before taking her seat.
She read the second lesson for mourners from John 14 as dignitaries gathered at Westminster Abbey with a lesson of comfort that evoked the promise of eternal life in heaven. “Do not be afraid of your heart; you believe in God,” she read.
Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth and former Labor Attorney General, gave the first reading from 1 Corinthians 15.
Among the congregation were all six living former Prime Ministers: John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Theresa May, David Cameron and Boris Johnson.
There was a brief moment of initial embarrassment when the newer incumbents – May, Cameron and Johnson – arrived first with their spouses but had to wait for their predecessors to arrive so they could file in chronological order.
The funeral was also attended by many other politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties, including Keir Starmer, who on Monday praised the royal family for their “absolutely fantastic” handling of the past 10 days. Other senior politicians included Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
“She’s been the big constant,” Sturgeon said, adding it was a “huge honor” to represent Scotland.
Sinn Féin Vice-President Michelle O’Neill also attended the state funeral and illustrated the extent to which relations between her party and the British royal family have come. “Today I respectfully join leaders from the UK, Ireland and the international community at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II as she is laid to rest,” she said.
“It is a sad day for her family who are mourning their loss and for all those of British identity from across our community who are also mourning.”
The last prime minister at a monarch’s state funeral was Winston Churchill, who was at the service for King George VI.
After attending the state funeral, Truss made his way separately to Windsor for the smaller funeral service for the Queen, which was also attended by Major and Blair, who are Knights of the Garter. Later she will travel to the UN General Assembly in New York.