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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Lauren Gilmour, PA Scotland & Tom Wilkinson, PA & Steven White

Princess Anne's heartbreaking final curtsy to Queen as coffin moved from Balmoral

Princess Anne paid her final respects to her mother Queen Elizabeth II after the late monarch's coffin left Balmoral, where she died last week.

The Queen passed away "peacefully" aged 96 on Thursday surrounded by members of the Royal family, including her daughter Anne and her son, the now-King Charles III.

The Princess Royal watched on as the oak coffin arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on Sunday, where she was laid to rest in the Throne Room for one day.

Members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland carried the Queen as a black-clothed Anne stood in line with her husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence along with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

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The Queen's coffin draped with the Royal Standard of Scotland being carried into (2022 Getty Images)

Anne, 72, appeared sombre yet stoic as she made a low curtsey the moment her mother's coffin passed by her.

The Queen made her final journey from Balmoral on Sunday at around 10am, travelling for six hours past Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Angus and Tayside before reaching Edinburgh.

A hush had descended on the village of Ballater near Balmoral, where many locals considered the Queen a neighbour, as she left her beloved Royal Deeside.

Princess Anne solemnly curtseys to her late mothers' coffin, Queen Elizabeth II, as it passes by her (Jacob King/PA Wire)
The Princess Royal is comforted by the Countess of Wessex (Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

Hundreds lined the main street through the picturesque Victorian village closest to the Balmoral Estate, which the Queen had visited all her life.

They had waited patiently, some for hours, to pay their respects and some bowed their heads while others saluted as the coffin was driven slowly by.

There was no applause or flowers strewn in the path of the hearse, but there was a quiet and reflective atmosphere among those present, some said afterwards.

Many shops in the picturesque displayed photographs of the Queen in their windows in tribute.

Jeannine Mackenzie, from Keith, Banffshire, said: "I came to see the Queen on her journey.

"I feel quiet inside. The mood of the day is hushed.

She had picked a bouquet of purple heather which she would leave at Balmoral Castle later.

Princess Anne, dressed respectfully all in black, looks sadly toward the coffin of her late mother (ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Dressed in a kilt with sporran and a feathered hat, Richard Baird from Stonehaven, near Aberdeen, said: "I think the atmosphere was respectful, but also one of celebration.

"She had lived a long life and a full life."

Claire Green and her sister Melissa Simpson, from Huntly, Aberdeenshire, came with their children, Florence Green and Gracie and Hamish Simpson, and were in position hours before the cortege passed.

The Princess Royal stood in line with her husband, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, as well as Prince Andrew (Sky News)

Ms Green said: "It felt very special to be part of it.

"It's nice that Scotland got to say 'goodbye'.

"I never expected to be in a position to give her a good send-off.

"It was very nice to see Princess Anne following in the car behind, she was always by her mum's side."

"It was respectful and showed what they think of the Queen."

Pallbearers carry the coffin of the late Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse with Princess Anne seen standing behind the hearse (ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The hearse passed Glenmuick Church where the Revered David Barr had rung the church bells 70 times after her death was announced.

In Edinburgh, crowds packed Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile as the Queen arrived at around 4pm in the Scottish capital for one final time.

Crowds had been forming throughout the day, with people lined up several rows deep at the barriers that had been erected.

The Princess Royal travelling with the cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II (Ian Forsyth/PA Wire)

As the cortege went past, there was a ripple of gentle applause from those who had come to see her and pay their respects, with many seen filming the scenes on mobile phones.

As well as those who packed the streets throughout Edinburgh, others had clambered on to Arthur's Seat and the Salisbury Crags, trying to get the city's best view of the gardens and courtyard of Holyroodhouse.

But there was silence as the cortege entered the forecourt at the Palace of Holyroodhouse - where the Queen had spent time earlier this summer.

Members of the public gathered on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to watch the hearse carrying the coffin of the late Queen as it arrived in the city (Jamie Williamson/Daily Mail/PA Wire)

Waiting outside the palace was the Princess Royal and Duke of York along with and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, received the Queen's coffin.

As the hearse carrying the queen's coffin had departed Balmoral on Sunday morning, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was a "sad and poignant moment as Her Majesty, The Queen leaves her beloved Balmoral for the final time".

Ms Sturgeon added: "As she makes her journey to Edinburgh, Scotland will pay tribute to an extraordinary woman."

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