King Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward bow their heads in moving vigil as they stand guard over the Queen’s coffin
THE Queen’s four children bowed their heads in a moving vigil over her coffin tonight as she lies in state at Edinburgh’s St Giles Cathedral.
Mourners filed past in solemn silence as King Charles III, Princess Anne and Princes Edward and Andrew stood guard of their mother.
The King led his three grieving siblings through the cathedral as they slowly walked in step with one another towards their positions.
His Majesty, wearing a kilt, stood at the head of his mother’s coffin, while Princess Anne and Prince Edward stood either side with Prince Andrew at the foot for the 15-minute vigil.
Silence filled the ancient building as the public’s footsteps making the only sound as they slowly filed past.
At one point a woman is heard saying: “We commend Her Majesty into the heart and hands of our God. May she rest in peace.
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“God bless the Queen. God save the King.”
Her Majesty’s children joined members of the Royal Company of Archers, who were the Queen’s official bodyguards when in Scotland.
Following two sets of three taps, the King led his siblings away. They were applauded as they left the cathedral after the emotional vigil was performed.
The Princess Royal, who yesterday emotionally curtseyed to her mother’s oak coffin, was the first woman to take part in the traditional Vigil of the Princes.
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The King and Prince Andrew were pictured talking with one another after they left the cathedral.
It followed poignant scenes earlier today when they walked behind their mother’s coffin during a procession through Edinburgh.
The Vigil of the Princes tradition began in 1936 when the then King Edward VIII and his three brothers – Princes Albert, Henry and George – wore full military uniforms to stand guard at the coffin of their late father, King George V in Westminster Hall.
The public had been paying their respects all day but were prevented for entering the hall for 15 minutes to give the King’s sons private time for reflection.
Hundreds of mourners filed past the Queen’s coffin at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh to pay respects after a Thanksgiving service.
Many have curtseyed to Her Majesty, bowed their heads, crossed their heart or saluted as they paused in quiet reflection.
Thousands are expected to follow as she lies in state until tomorrow evening, when her coffin will fly back to London.
Some were waiting in queues since 7am.
The Scottish crown was placed on top her coffin, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, during a service of Thanksgiving at the historical building.
Opening the service, the Rev Calum MacLeod said Her Majesty’s “love for Scotland was legendary”.
It followed a poignant procession through Scotland’s capital as King Charles led the coffin past thousands of well-wishers.
The journey from Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral echoed the same journey she made 70 years ago after her coronation.
Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said yesterday: “Scotland can take real pride that Her Majesty cherished her time here and now the eyes of the world will be upon the Capital as we unite in national mourning and herald our new King.
“This is a time for our communities to stand together and for people to reflect on our shared history.
“The outpouring of grief from citizens and visitors is touching and demonstrates the special relationship the city shared with the Queen.”
The Queen is expected to fly from Edinburgh airport to RAF Northolt in West London at 6pm tomorrow, accompanied by Princess Anne.
Her coffin will then travel by hearse to Buckingham Palace and a procession will take it to Westminster Hall on Wednesday.
She will then lie in state there until 6.30am next Monday, the day of her funeral.
Up to a million mourners are expected to file past and queues could be 12 hours long, stretching three miles.
It is five times the 200,000 people who paid their respects to the Queen Mother in 2002.
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The route will snake through London and be lined with extra portable loos and water stations.
Medics at nearby Guy’s and St Thomas’s hospitals are on standby in case those in the queue fall ill.