Andrew, Edward and Anne join the King for Vigil of the Princes
The King and senior members of the Royal Family have held a vigil beside the Queen’s coffin in Edinburgh.
The King and senior members of the Royal Family have held a vigil beside the Queen’s coffin in Edinburgh.
The coffin was taken to St Giles’ Cathedral this afternoon before a service of thanksgiving for her life.
King Charles wore a kilt as he, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex stood facing outwards around their mother’s coffin.
The Queen Consort and the Countess of Wessex looked on from the side.
King and siblings surround mother’s coffin in poignant tradition – royal news latest updates
Members of the public filed past to pay their respects as the four siblings stood in silence with their heads bowed.
The vigil lasted for 10 minutes, and afterwards the royals left the cathedral and were driven away.
Thousands of people lined the procession route as the coffin was taken to the cathedral earlier in the afternoon, clapping and holding their phones high to capture the event.
It was draped with the Royal Standard of Scotland with a wreath of flowers on top consisting of white Spray Roses, white Freesias, white button chrysanthemums, dried white heather from Balmoral, spray eryngium, foliage, rosemary, hebe, and pittosporum.
Service of thanksgiving for the Queen
At the beginning of the service, Reverend Calum MacLeod welcomed the Royal Family, “representatives of our nation’s life” and “people whose lives were touched by the Queen in so many unforgettable ways”.
He said: “And so we gather to bid Scotland’s farewell to our late monarch, whose life of service to the nation and the world we celebrate.
“And whose love for Scotland was legendary.”
All of the siblings, except Prince Andrew, wore their military uniform. The Duke of York did not wear uniform at today’s ceremonies nor will he at other events during the period of mourning, except for the final vigil.
This is because the disgraced second son of Queen Elizabeth is no longer a working member of the Royal Family.
King arrives in Scotland
The King and the Queen Consort spent time greeting waiting crowds when they arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse earlier today.
People climbed on top of road barriers on the Royal Mile to catch a glimpse of the couple arriving in Edinburgh.
They shook hands with well-wishers across the barrier, and the King received gifts of flowers from well-wishers ahead of attending a Ceremony of the Keys and inspecting the guard of honour.
The King and Queen Consort observed flowers outside the palace before speaking to members of the military.
A gun salute was fired from Edinburgh Castle moments after they arrived in Scottish capital.
