King Charles will lead the Royal Family in procession on foot behind Queen’s coffin today
KING Charles III will lead the Royal Family on foot in a poignant procession behind The Queen’s coffin when it travels through Edinburgh today.
Her Majesty will be taken from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to nearby St Giles’ Cathedral in a sombre journey to allow the public to pay their respects.
The cortege will see The Queen’s coffin travel in a straight line up Canongate and the Royal Mile in the heart of the city.
King Charles will lead some of the royals on foot, expected to be the Duke of York, Earl of Wessex, Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Meanwhile Camilla, the Queen Consort, and other members of The Firm will follow in cars.
It is unclear whether Princes William and Harry and wives Kate and Meghan Markle will be involved in the procession – but there is speculation they will be part of the cortege.
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The feuding brothers are thought to be walking side-by-side on both Wednesday, when their grandmother arrives in London, and next Monday for The Queen’s funeral.
On Saturday, William, now The Prince of Wales, wife Kate, and Harry and Meghan put on a united front during an appearance at Windsor Castle where they viewed flowers and letters left by the public.
It comes as…
- William & Harry could walk side by side behind the Queen’s coffin at her funeral
- Princess Anne curtsied to her beloved mum as Her Majesty’s coffin left Balmoral for the final time
- Thousands left flowers outside royal residences across the country
- King Charles III was proclaimed as King across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- King Charles’ relentless schedule was revealed – where he always skips one meal a day
- Details of The Queen’s sombre final journey back to London emerged
- A new Bank Holiday to mark The Queen’s funeral on September 19 was established
Once at St Giles’ Cathedral, The Royal Family and a congregation drawn from all areas of Scottish society, will attend a service of thanksgiving for her life.
Members of the public will be able to view the coffin to pay their respects for 24 hours before it is taken to London ahead of a period of lying in state.
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During his day in Edinburgh, the King will inspect the Guard of Honour at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, before attending the ceremony of the Keys on the forecourt.
At the Palace, the King will hold audiences with Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
He will then meet with Alison Johnstone, the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.
Words of sympathy will be expressed by the Scottish Parliament when Charles and Camilla attend to receive a motion of condolence, with the King replying.
Later in the evening, the King and other members of his family, likely his siblings, will mount a vigil at the cathedral in honour of The Queen.
The Crown of Scotland will be placed upon her coffin and she will lie in state from 5pm for a day so the public can pay respects.
The Queen will then travel to Buckingham Palace and then to Westminster Hall, where she will lie in state from Wednesday until the morning of her funeral next Monday.
Charles and Camilla are in London this morning and will visit Westminster Hall before heading north, where both Houses of Parliament will express their condolences to the pair.
Her Majesty’s coffin arrived in Edinburgh on Sunday as The Queen left her beloved Balmoral for the final time.
Thousands lined roads and streets across Scotland as Her Majesty made her final journey, taking in Aberdeen, Perth and Dundee.
Her coffin was laden with flowers from her garden at her Scottish bolthole – including The Queen’s favourite Sweet Peas.
Millions are set to view The Queen’s coffin before her funeral next Monday.
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Queues are expected to be hours-long and photos and videos will be strictly banned.
Officials say weather conditions may also be challenging for those queuing and there will be tight security.