King Charles leads royal procession behind the Queen’s coffin in Edinburgh

King Charles is leading the Royal Family in a poignant procession behind his mother’s coffin as it makes its way to St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.

Mourners have bowed their heads in silence as the Queen’s lead-lined English oak casket – made for the late monarch 30 years ago – slowly moved along the Royal Mile.

Prince Andrew, not in military uniform, is among the group, alongside his brother Prince Edward.

Princess Anne is also walking with the hearse.

A detachment from the King’s Bodyguard in Scotland and Royal Company of Archers is also accompanying the group.

Thousands of people have lined the streets along the procession route from Holyroodhouse Palace, where the coffin stayed overnight in the Throne Room.

Armed police and security services have formed rings of steel on the Royal Mile, with around 10,000 officers preparing for the biggest single security operation ever seen in Scotland.

The Crown of Scotland will be placed on the coffin and the Queen’s body will lie in state at the cathedral until Tuesday afternoon, allowing the public to pay their last respects.

A wreath on her coffin consists of nine different flowers, including white spray roses, white freesias, white button chrysanthemums and dried white heather.

After yesterday’s monumental journey from Balmoral, today just a mile lies between Holyrood at St Giles’ Cathedral.

Charles and the Royal Family will celebrate the Queen’s life and her connection to Scotland during the service at the cathedral.

The coffin will travel to London tomorrow, where she will lie in state in Westminster Hall from Wednesday until her funeral on Monday.

Charles earlier addressed MPs and Lords in the Houses of Parliament before flying to Scotland with Camilla.

The King and Queen Consort were welcomed on the tarmac by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who appeared to have a heartfelt conversation with the new monarch.

Mum-of-two Caroline Jolly, who has taken her son, Ryan, 13, and daughter Neve, 5, out of school so they can pay their respects in Edinburgh today.

She said: ‘I felt compelled to come and be here. We’re only an hour away so I told the kids we’re going.

‘I want them to remembering this event and to be able to tell their children that they were here to pay their respects to the Queen.’

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