The Queen: Royal expert says funeral will be traditional - but with personal touch

Elisabeth Basford, who has written a book on the Queen’s great aunt Princess Mary and runs a royal blog, said the scenes over the past week have reflected those last seen on the death of her father in 1952.

Mrs Basford, from Barnsley, said: “The Queen was a traditionalist. She did modernise the monarchy, but often she had to do things in response such as in Diana’s death.

“Her faith was really important to her. People have spoken about the fact she wasn’t ever frightened of dying because of her deep Christian faith, she believed God had given her this role to do.

“I think there will be a lot in that service to show her deep profound faith, but also lots of family touches.”

There have already been nods to the Queen’s parents during the proceedings of the past week, with the same gun carriage being used to transport her coffin as was used for both her father, King George VI and her mother Elizabeth on their final journeys.

The Queen was known to be especially close to her father who referred to her as “his pride.”

Mrs Basford said: “I think the most poignant moment was when her coffin came out of Buckingham Palace with the crown on the top - exactly the same as George V and George VI.

“The crown fell off George V’s coffin during the procession and it was thought that was a really bad omen.

“There are a lot of things that have been nods to traditions, but with some new touches - it was lovely to see Princess Anne in the procession, there’s never been women before. For me, we are living history now. We feel a part of it.”