The Queen: Archbishop prepares for funeral and spends time in Westminster Hall queue

The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell’s role in the service will see him read prayers alongside other senior church officials.

He said: “On Monday at the funeral I will, God willing, be representing the church and the people of the North and holding us all in thankful prayer”

Archbishop Cottrell has played a large role in state affairs since the Queen’s death, acting as one of the “platform party” in last weekend’s Accession Council which saw him sign the proclamation that Charles III is King.

Earlier this week he met with people queueing across London to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall.

He tweeted: “Out along the queue with my prayer partner Pradeep, meeting police officers from South Yorkshire and Manchester, along with local scouts who are all here to help those waiting to pay their respects to the Queen.

“Feeling thankful.”

It comes as he joined with the Archbishop of Canterbury and other leaders to encourage communities to ensure no one is left to struggle alone on Monday.

The Together coalition, made up of leaders from across the faith and voluntary sectors, said they want to make sure no one has to grieve alone.

An open letter encouraging businesses and communities to hold gatherings read: ““On Monday the country will take part in the biggest act of collective grieving in our history.

“It will have a profound impact on many of us. Some may feel the distress of the loss of Her Majesty directly, someone who - even if we didn’t know her ourselves - played a role in so many of our lives and who came to symbolise the best of our country. For others, this public grief may trigger our own private grief for those we have loved and lost.

"We urge companies, councils and public spaces to do whatever they

can to open up places where people can be together.”

Church services this weekend across the region will also bring grieving Yorkshire residents together.

Girlguiding members from Selby will join a service of commemoration at York Minster to reflect on the Queen’s legacy as patron of the youth charity

Eleanor, a 14-year-old Guide from 1st Wistow, said: “She was a goodrole model to women and girls. She supported lots of good work and recognised guiding as an important opportunity.

"I made my promise as a Rainbow, Brownie and Guide to serve my queen and my community.

"I know the Queen had her own guide group at the palace but she did all the activities she could like the other Guides at the time. Her uniform was not as practical as mine!"

Guide Lilia, also 14, added: “As a fellow Guide we all follow the same principles and Guide’s Law and it is a privilege to be part to the Girlguiding community that the Queen also belonged to.”