The Queen’s coffin is set to arrive in Edinburgh today after leaving Balmoral estate one last time with thousands of well-wishers lining the route of her final journey in Scotland. Her Majesty passed away peacefully at her Aberdeenshire residence on Thursday, September 8, aged 96, ending her mammoth 70 year reign.
Her loved ones - including grandsons Prince William and Harry - made a frantic dash to be by her side after doctors raised concerns about her health. The monarch’s death was formally announced at 6.30pm leaving the nation shocked at her sudden passing just two days after meeting the country’s new Prime Minister Liz Truss.
The Queen’s coffin - which has been lying in the Ballroom at Balmoral Castle - will be taken south on a six hour journey by hearse to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Royal cortege will leave Balmoral by road at around 10am on Sunday before stopping in the nearby Ballater and then travelling along the A93 through Aboyne, Banchory and Drumoak.
It will then enter Aberdeen at around 11am, following North Deeside Road and then travelling through Cults. The convoy will go on to follow the A90 to Dundee, arriving at the boundary at around 2pm before travelling west on the Kingsway to the Swallow roundabout.
Members of the public are being invited to pay their respects in standing areas along the A90 Forfar Road and Kingsway. There will be rolling road closures along the route and very limited additional parking. Stewards will guide members of the public to parking sites and safe standing areas.
After leaving the city, the coffin will then be carried south towards the capital where pavements along the route will be lined with barriers to allow the public to view from there. The Edinburgh route will stretch from north of the city to the Palace of Holyroodhouse where it is expected to arrive at around 3.30pm.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and other party leaders will be invited to view her coffin at the Scottish Parliament. Several roads in the city have been closed to allow for the major event - dubbed Operation Unicorn - with at least two nearby schools and a nursery closed for two days next week.
Members of the public have been warned to expect severe disruption in the coming days as thousands are expected to travel to Edinburgh to pay their respects. Buckingham Palace confirmed a procession will be formed on Monday at the forecourt of the palace to convey the coffin to St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh.
The King and members of the Royal Family will take part in the procession and attend a service in St Giles’ Cathedral to receive the coffin. Her Majesty’s coffin will then lie at rest in St Giles’ Cathedral, guarded by vigils from The Royal Company of Archers, to allow the people of Scotland to pay their respects.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Queen’s coffin will travel from Scotland by Royal Air Force aircraft from Edinburgh Airport, arriving at RAF Northolt later that evening. The coffin will be accompanied on the journey by The Princess Royal, and it will then be taken to Buckingham Palace by road, to rest in the Bow Room.
Westminster Abbey said it would be closed for visiting and worshipping while preparing for the Queen’s funeral.
Announcing the news on Twitter, a statement read: “Buckingham Palace has announced that the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be held at Westminster Abbey at 11am on Monday 19th September.
“As a royal church, the Abbey had a special relationship with the Queen. It was here that she married Prince Philip in November 1947, and her coronation was held in the Abbey in June 1953.
“The Abbey will be closed for visiting and worshipping from Monday (12 September) as we prepare for the state funeral, which will be broadcast live on television, radio and online.”
Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said policing has “an important role to play” over the coming days.
He said: “As the Chief Constable has said, the loss of Her Majesty The Queen is deeply felt and policing has an important role to play in the coming days to ensure ceremonial events take place safely and with dignity.
“Our priority is public safety and we are working with partners, including the UK and Scottish governments, as well as local authorities, to support the delivery of planned events.”
Mr Graham added that they are working with businesses to plan ahead for any potential disruption as a result of the events.
He added: “We understand that the public will want to show their respects to Her Majesty and we would urge them to do so safely.”
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