British royal and state funerals: music and ceremonial since Elizabeth I

When, in 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, died as a result of a car crash in Paris; her death and funeral saw an unprecedented outburst of public grief, interest and participation. Before this, no death of a member of the Royal Family caused such an enormous, worldwide reaction. Apparently, the funeral attracted more attention than any other royal or state funeral in history, and the number of people who saw it live via television is matched by few other events.

British royal and state funerals are among the most elaborate and solemn occasions in European history. Matthias Range has written...