Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrived within the Scottish capital of Edinburgh on Sunday after being slowly pushed from her beloved Balmoral Fortress — in a transferring procession that drew massive crowds of mourners hoping to say their remaining goodbyes to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
A hearse carrying Her Majesty’s physique traveled greater than 175 miles by the Scottish countryside, arriving on the Palace of Holyroodhouse at round 4 p.m. native time.
“A tragic and poignant second as Her Majesty, The Queen leaves her beloved Balmoral for the ultimate time,” First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon tweeted Sunday. “At the moment, as she makes her journey to Edinburgh, Scotland pays tribute to a rare lady.”
Mourners packed streets and overpasses on freeway or lined rural roads with vehicles and tractors alongside the somber route, some throwing bouquets of flowers because the hearse made the six-hour farewell tour.
“She meant so much to individuals on this space. Individuals had been crying, it was wonderful to see,” stated Victoria Pacheco, a visitor home supervisor within the village of Ballater, the place a whole bunch of individuals watched in silence because the convoy handed.
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The procession was additionally met with solemn silence because it arrived in Aberdeen about midday native time — the most important cease on its journey to the capital.
Farmers in Aberdeenshire lined up their tractors to type a touching guard of honor for the beloved monarch as she handed by.
Elsewhere, individuals stopped driving in the course of the freeway upon realizing the queen’s physique was being carried within the reverse lane. Some even deserted their vehicles, getting out of the highway to pay their respects and catch a glimpse of her hearse.
The procession additionally handed over Queensferry Crossing, a bridge that she and her late husband Prince Philip helped dedicate when it opened in 2017.
It was the beginning of what will probably be a protracted journey again to London, the place a state funeral is ready to be held Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey earlier than the queen is moved to her remaining resting place at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Fortress.
Upon the convoy’s arrival in Edinburgh, massive crowds that had noticed the procession in silence as a present of respect finally broke into solemn applause for his or her queen, who dominated for 70 years till her dying Thursday at 96.
Images confirmed her solely daughter, Princess Anne, 72, taking a curtsy because the coffin was carried into Holyroodhouse. Sophie, the countess of Wessex and spouse of the queen’s youngest son Prince Edward, 58, was seen putting a hand on her again to consolation her.
Each Edward and his brother Prince Andrew, 62, had been additionally current as members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, carrying inexperienced tartan kilts, carried the coffin into the throne room.
The late queen’s coffin — which was draped within the Royal Customary for Scotland and topped with a wreath manufactured from flowers from Balmoral — will lie within the throne room for twenty-four hours, so employees will pay their respect.
King Charles III and Camilla, the queen consort, on Monday are set to journey to Edinburgh the place they'll attend a service of remembrance for the queen. Members of the royal household will maintain a vigil by the coffin contained in the cathedral within the night.
On Tuesday, Princess Anne is predicted to escort her mom’s physique to London through airplane. The coffin will probably be flown by the Royal Air Power and brought to Buckingham Palace.
It will likely be taken from the palace to Westminster Corridor Wednesday morning on a gun carriage of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in a public procession and army parade.
The coffin will lie in state for 4 full days underneath 24-hour guard by British troopers earlier than being taken in a procession to Westminster Abbey for the state funeral, which is predicted to be attended by scores of world leaders, together with President Biden and First Woman Jill Biden, the White Home confirmed Sunday.
It should mark the tip of the 10-day interval of nationwide mourning, and will probably be a public vacation throughout the UK.
The late monarch will then be taken to Windsor Chapel and interred at its St George’s Chapel.
She will probably be laid to relaxation close to her mother and father. The physique of her late husband Prince Philip, who handed away in April 2021 at 99 years outdated, will probably be relocated to be at her facet.
As Brits observe a protracted mourning interval, Charles and Camilla will embark on journeys to Northern Eire, Scotland and Wales.
With Publish wires
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