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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Kaitlin Easton

King Charles leads emotional procession from Royal Mile to St. Giles cathedral for Queen's coffin

King Charles III has led an emotional procession of the late Queen's coffin from Edinburgh's Royal Mile to St. Giles cathedral.

Crowds gathered in the street to watch the poignant moment as the King walked behind Her Majesty's coffin down the Royal Mile, leading other members of the Royal Family.

The Queen's coffin was piped down from the throne room before being carefully place in the back the hearse.

The King exited Holyrood house to a throng of military personal clad in kilts before making his way up the capital's most historic street.

Flanked by his personal bodyguard, the King took his place just behind the vehicle closely followed by Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Silence fell as the hearse made its way through the gates, as the crowds gathered to watch bowed their heads in a moment of reflection. Light applause broke out among some as the procession passed by.

The King fell back to walk with his siblings as a solemn atmosphere fell on either side of the Mile, with many Union Jack and Saltire flags seen waving above the sea of heads.

King Charles and Queen Camilla sit at Westminster Hall (REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/Pool)

The Queen's coffin arrived at St Giles where it was carefully unloaded by the military personnel, who slowly marched it in through the grand wooden doors. A fanfare then played as those in attendance stood.

The King and Queen Consort arrived at Edinburgh Airport earlier this afternoon after meeting parliament at Westminster Hall in the morning.

Charles and Camilla travelled to the Palace of Holyroodhouse for the Ceremony of the Keys, which took place before the procession.

The King inspected the Guard of Honour before being welcomed to his “ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland” by the Lord Provost, and symbolically received the keys of the city of Edinburgh.

After the emotional procession down the Royal Mile, King Charles and the Queen Consort took their place at the service at the historic cathedral.

Prime Minister Liz Truss was among those in attendance, as well as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

After the prayers at 3pm, the new monarch will then receive the First Minister of Scotland, followed by the presiding officer, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II on the journey from Balmoral to the Palace of Holyroodhouse (Getty Images)

A motion of condolence will be tabled for Charles and Camilla at the Scottish Parliament and the pair will attend a reception. The Royal Company of Archers, who are the King’s bodyguard for Scotland, will give a royal salute.

Finally, the King and other members of the Royal Family will then hold a vigil at St Giles’ Cathedral.

Today marks the second day in Scotland that crowds have lined the streets to pay their respects to Her Majesty the Queen following her death at the age of 96 on Thursday.

People gather in tribute as the cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen in Ballater (Getty Images)

On Sunday tens of thousands gathered in cities across the country to watch as the official cortege carrying the Queen's coffin was driven 175-miles, from Balmoral to Edinburgh.

The procession was followed by the Princess Royal and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, who also made the six-hour journey, acknowledging crowds paying their respects.

Mourners wishing to pay their respects to the late Queen will be able to view her coffin in Edinburgh from 5pm on Monday, September 12.

A queuing system will be in place with security checks and restrictions on mobile phones will apply. Photography and recording is strictly prohibited.

Officials say weather conditions may be challenging and members of the public who wish to pay their respects should expect to be standing for a number of hours due to anticipated demand.

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