This is only the second time that an Archbishop of Westminster has played a part in a Royal funeral in modern British history. Cardinal Cormac-Murphy O’Connor took on the same role at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 2002.
Cardinal Nichols, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, was among eight high-profile ecumenical guests at the service in Westminster Abbey.
In a three-minute intercession, he gave thanks for the Queen’s “commitment to the Commonwealth throughout her reign” and prayed that all people in authority “may promote justice and the common good”.
