Prince William and Prince Harry.Photo: MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty

Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales (L) and Britain’s Prince Harry (C), Duke of Sussex arrive at Westminster Abbey in London on September 19, 2022, for the State Funeral Service for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. - Leaders from around the world will attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The country’s longest-serving monarch, who died aged 96 after 70 years on the throne, will be honoured with a state funeral on Monday morning at Westminster Abbey. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth’s former assistant private secretary says the “real mourning” can now begin for theroyal familyfollowing the late monarch’s funeral andcommittal serviceon Monday.

Samantha Cohen tells PEOPLE that the royal family will need to adjust to a new normal after the death of the Queen, whodied at age 96on September 8 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

“It was a shock, and now it’s real. And the real mourning starts,” Cohen tells PEOPLE inthis week’s cover story. “The reality of life without the Queen starts now.”

Cohen, who was in attendance at the committal service, reveals that as the late monarch’s coffin was being lowered, “you could hear a pin drop” in the chapel, adding, “It’s hard to fathom that she’s gone. It doesn’t seem real.”

Samantha Cohen

Cohen adds that it was a “very moving service” in honor of the late monarch.

“It was very intimate as all the Queen’spersonal staffand her households were there,” she says. “It signaled the transition to the King as we ended with ‘God Save the King.’ "

Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II during the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on September 19, 2022 in Windsor, England. The committal service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, took place following the state funeral at Westminster Abbey. A private burial in The King George VI Memorial Chapel followed. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III.

“There was a lot of camaraderie — it was like a big reunion for all those who’d worked for her for years but had left. She was bringing together those who’d worked for her for years like her private secretaries and other staff and she was bringing them all together these last days,” she continues. “She included everyone who’d worked with her. It was very inclusive and wasn’t hierarchical with her personal staff sitting right on the front.”

Cohen also says the service reflected the Queen’s ability to bring people together.

“It was about personal relationships — that’s what was so beautiful about the Queen,” she says of the service. “She accepted people from all walks of life and the service reflected that. The uniting force was everybody’s love for the Queen. She made it special because she made sure that everybody felt important and included.”

RELATED VIDEO: Where Are Royal Family Members Buried? All AboutQueen Elizabethand Others' Final Resting Places

Afterher state funeraland committal service, the Queen was buried at King George VI Memorial Chapel on Monday evening.

The late monarch was laid to rest beside her husband of 73 years,Prince Philip, during aprivate burial service, Buckingham Palaceconfirmed.

The palace alsopaid tributeto the Queen on social media alongside a beautiful photo of her enjoying the Scottish Highlands, writing, “‘May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.’ In loving memory of Her Majesty The Queen. 1926 - 2022.”

source: people.com