This is the moment the Queen's coffin was flown above Greater Manchester during her final journey from Scotland to London. Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral last Thursday (September 8), aged 96.
Her coffin was taken from Balmoral to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh, on Sunday. Mourners then paid tribute to the Queen in the Scottish capital yesterday at St Giles' Cathedral.
Today (Tuesday), the Queen's coffin is being flown from Edinburgh to RAF Northolt, in west London. The plane carrying her coffin left Edinburgh Airport at around 5.40pm.
Less than an hour later, the plane was spotted in the skies above Greater Manchester, as it made its way to RAF Northolt. The Queen is being accompanied on her final flight by the Princess Anne, the Princess Royal.
In a statement, she said: "It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys.” At Edinburgh Airport a guard of honour was provided by three officers and 101 soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Meanwhile the band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland played, with their drums draped and muffled. The national anthem was played as the RAF plane carrying the body of the Queen prepared to take off.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack were at the airport as the coffin was carried on board. Ms Sturgeon said: "Scotland has bid a final and poignant farewell to our much loved Elizabeth, Queen of Scots.
"Over these past few days we have seen just how much Her Majesty meant to the people of Scotland. As anticipated, people from all walks of life gathered across the country and in our capital city to pay tribute to the only Monarch most of us have ever known.”
Members of the Guard of Honour have assembled on the airfield at RAF Northolt ahead of the arrival of the Queen’s coffin. The guard is formed of three officers and 96 non-commissioned officers and gunners of The Queen’s Colour Squadron.
They will transfer the coffin to the official hearse, which will take the Queen to Buckingham Palace. As sovereign and head of state, the Queen was Head of the Armed Forces and their Commander-in-Chief.
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