A huge security operation has swung into action in Edinburgh as the city prepares for thousands of well-wishers to line the Royal Mile when the Queen’s coffin is brought to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Police officers carried out security sweeps in the forecourt of Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the monarch in Scotland, as people from around the world turned up with floral tributes.
Edinburgh will become the focus of royal events over the coming days when the Queen’s coffin is taken by road from Balmoral to Holyrood, followed by a ceremonial procession up the Royal Mile to St Giles’ Cathedral.
Members of the royal family will attend a vigil at the 14th-century church, which is expected to be transmitted to millions of viewers around the world. The cathedral will then be open to the public for 24 hours for a period of lying at rest, not lying in state because that will take place in London.
Michelle Ford, a 60-year-old health worker from Edinburgh, was among those paying tribute to the late monarch at Holyrood on Friday.
“She was a great woman who served her country and the commonwealth and she never faltered. She means a lot to me,” said Ford, who remembered going as a child to her uncle’s house on the Royal Mile and watching her from his balcony. “Like me she’s a mother and a grandmother. I was very upset when I heard the news, I was crying. Watching her through the years just brings a lot of things back.”
A large security operation got under way across Edinburgh on Friday as police officers and security staff began to line the Royal Mile, where thousands of people are expected to gather in the coming days.
The thunderous crack of a 96-round royal salute brought the city to a sudden standstill at 1pm, as people stopped in their tracks to watch the cannon fire from Edinburgh castle.
Looking on from Princes Street Gardens, Jan White, 56, said she found the 20-minute service moving.
White, a civil servant who was born in London but moved to Edinburgh 25 years ago to study, said she loved the Queen and that it would take time to adjust to the reign of King Charles III.
“I just can’t believe how quickly she went – after just hearing yesterday and then suddenly there she was, dead, the same day. It’s so sad,” she said. “It’s quite hard to imagine Britain without a Queen because we’ve all grown up with her and suddenly that’s it – it’s over. I think it will take a while to adjust. Now that she’s gone, who knows what will happen to the monarchy?”
Outside Holyrood, some well-wishers wanted to lay flowers on the grass in front of the palace’s north turret, while many patiently queued in order to photograph the official notice of the Queen’s death pinned to a metal gate. Others just felt they had to be there, even for just a few minutes.
Dora Voros, 35, works and studies in Edinburgh but is originally from Hungary. Tradition meant a lot to her, Voros said. “She was a lovely lady, she was like everyone’s grandma,” she said. “I know she was old and it was her time and I’m so pleased that she can be with Prince Philip, but it is upsetting. After everything we have been through with Brexit, the pandemic, war … I think we all needed her.”
Gail Vest, 62, from Canberra, Australia, laid a small posy of wild flowers. “I know the Queen loved wilderness, so I thought the she would appreciate it” she said.
Vest, who is retired and living in Edinburgh for six months because of her husband’s work, said when she heard the news she felt sadness rather than shock.
She thinks the Queen’s death will spark new calls for Australia to be a republic. “I think people felt quite compassionate about the Queen, maybe not so much with the family. I think the Queen has done a brilliant job but I’m not actually pro-monarchy. I just felt I should mark her passing.”
The flowers and messages continued to be added through the day. “Thank you for your service but more so for your example of kindness,” read one. “I’m so grateful my one-year-old daughters lived while you reigned,” read another. One just said: “Our hearts are broken.”
