Queen’s children stand guard over mother’s coffin for Vigil of the Princes

There were sombre scenes in St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh this evening, as the new King led a poignant vigil for the Queen.

Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward joined the new monarch to flank their mother’s coffin.

Each positioned themselves at a corner of the casket to stand guard, as is tradition.

In doing so, Princess Anne became the first ever woman to be part of the Vigil for the Princes ceremony. Until now, it has only been carried out by male members of the Royal Family.

The Queen Consort and Countess of Wessex sat on seats opposite the coffin while the vigil took place this evening.

After ten minutes by the side of the Queen’s coffin, the group left the cathedral and down the Royal Mile as darkness fell in the Scottish capital.

They will stay in Edinburgh overnight ahead of flying back to England tomorrow.

The Queen’s coffin is currently lying in state at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, and council leader Cammy Day said the city would ‘look back with immense pride’ at the role it has played since the Queen’s death.

The Scottish capital has been packed with mourners, with thousands lining its historic streets to see the coffin arrive on Sunday, and then again on Monday when there was a service of thanksgiving at St Giles’.

People were able to file past the late monarch’s coffin from 5.30pm today.

Long lines soon stretched across the Royal Mile as people flocked to pay tribute.

Edinburgh City Council warned people to bring food and drinks and ‘prepare for long queues and long periods of standing’.

George Higgins, a former soldier in the Scots Guards, is at the front of the queue, with hundreds of well-wishers behind him lining George IV bridge.

The 61-year-old has been queuing since 7am, shortly after he finished an overnight shift as a security guard at the University of Edinburgh.

He said: ‘I’ve been here since 6.45am, I came straight here after a night shift at work.

‘I took my clothes to work, got changed and came straight here. I’m going back on shift at 9.30pm tonight, so I’m going to be very tired.

‘But it’s worth it, with her service to the country, to us, to people and to the Commonwealth, the least I can do is give her a couple of days of my time to say farewell.

‘It’s a real privilege to be here. I can’t believe I’m actually first. I have actually got to pinch myself. It’s just luck.’

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