King Charles III led the Royal Family as they followed The Queen’s coffin along the procession from Holyroodhouse to St Giles’ Cathedral. The King was joined by Princess Anne, Princes Andrew and Edward, along with Princess Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
The procession left the Palace of Holyrood at 2.45pm on Monday afternoon. The coffin was draped with the Royal Standard in Scotland and dressed with a wreath of flowers consisting of white Spray Roses, white Freesias, white button chrysanthemums, dried white heather from Balmoral, spray eryngium, foliage, rosemary, hebe, and pittosporum.
The hearse was flanked by a Bearer Party found by The Royal Regiment of Scotland and The King’s Body Guard for Scotland. A car followed the hearse carrying the Queen Consort, and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, Edward’s wife.
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The Duke of York was not dressed in uniform as he is no longer a working member of the Royal Family. Military uniform was worn by the other family members.
Crowds of people lined the route of the procession and members of the public applauded as it made its way to the cathedral. Shouts of “God bless the Queen” could be heard as the hearse went past. A 21-gun salute was also fired from Edinburgh castle.
The hearse arrived at St Giles’ cathedral half an hour later for a service of prayer and reflection.
The coffin was lifted out of the hearse and brought into the place of worship, with the King, the Queen Consort, the Princess Royal, her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, and the Earl and the Countess of Wessex walking behind.
As the coffin made its way through the cathedral the choir sang Thou Wilt Keep Him In Perfect Peace, Whose Mind Is Stayed On Thee.
The Queen’s coffin was placed on a wooden catafalque as the congregation continued to stand. The King, Queen Consort, and other members of the royal family, then walked to their seats alongside the coffin.
From 5pm members of the public will be able to pay their respects to the Queen while she lies at rest in Edinburgh. She will then lie in state in Westminster Hall later this week from Wednesday, September 14 until Monday, September 19.
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