Following The Queen’s peaceful death surrounded by family in the afternoon of September 8, Queen Elizabeth II coffin will be transported down to Edinburgh from Balmoral on Sunday, September 11.
Where will the coffin be moved to?
Her Majesty will first be driven past the Scottish Parliament and then moved to Holyrood Palace at around 4pm where the coffin will stay overnight, followed by the coffin then be transferred to St Giles’ Cathedral on The Royal Mile on Monday, September 12 for a funeral service where the public will be invited to pay their respects for 24 hours.
When will the public be able to pay their respects?
It has been said that St Giles’ Cathedral will allow members of the public to file past the coffin at St Giles’ Cathedral on Monday, September 12. A procession along the Royal Mile is also expected to take place at 2:30pm. The Queen’s coffin will then be open to the public for viewing from around 5pm on Monday.
Reverend Calum MacLeod, minister of St Giles Cathedral stated on the website: “With the whole nation, we at St. Giles’ Cathedral mourn the death of HM The Queen, strong and faithful servant to the UK and Commonwealth for so many years. We send our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family.”
Will the members of the royal family be visiting Edinburgh?
Members of the royal family will also be expected to hold a poignant vigil from 7:20pm on Monday (September 12) around the Queen’s coffin at St Giles’ Cathedral. Known as the Vigil of the Princes, Queen’s children, including King Charles III, will be expected to hold the vigil where a funeral service will also take place.
What happens next?
Thousands of people are expected to travel to Edinburgh and later to London to leave their tributes to the Queen. After Her Majesty’s coffin will be transported from Edinburgh to London via an RAF plane. Rehearsals are taking place in London for the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey, and three days before the public will be invited to visit the coffin up until the funeral in Westminster Hall.
Once Queen Elizabeth II coffin will arrive in London, King Charles III will also set off for a UK tour where he will visit Edinburgh, Belfast and during the final days the Welsh Parliament.
Queen Elizabeth II will be buried in King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle on September 19.