SOMBRE PROCESSION
Poignant moment Charles leads Queen’s children as they follow Her Majesty’s coffin in front of packed crowds
SILENCE fell as King Charles led the Queen's children behind their beloved mother's coffin in a solemn procession today.
The Monarch looked emotional as he left Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh for St Giles' Cathedral.
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There was a hush across the usually-bustling city as the King followed his "darling mama's" coffin from the palace to a black hearse.
The silence was punctuated only by a single gun firing from the top of Edinburgh Castle in a salute to Her Majesty and a bagpipe that played as the coffin left Holyroodhouse.
Charles was flanked by the Queen's other children, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward in a poignant display of respect.
It comes as...
- A yob was thrown to the ground after yelling abuse at Prince Andrew
- The Duke of York was banned from wearing military uniform on the procession
- The King pledged to follow his mother's selfless duty in an emotional address at Westminster Hall
- Prince Harry thanked his beloved 'granny' the Queen in heartfelt tribute before referencing his 'darling wife' Meghan
- Brits will hold a minute’s silence on Sunday night to honour the late Queen Elizabeth
The Queen Consort and Sophie Wessex followed behind the procession in a car.
She arrived at the cathedral at around 3.15pm where her coffin was carried inside draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland.
A choir sang Thou Wilt Keep Him In Perfect Peace, Whose Mind Is Stayed On Thee as the Crown of Scotland was placed on the coffin.
Read more on the Queen's death
The coffin also features a wreath containing white spray roses, white freesias, white button chrysanthemums and dried white heather.
A service of thanksgiving attended by PM Liz Truss, MSPs, war veterans and members of the armed forces took place.
In a touching nod to Prince Philip, the choir sung The Lord is My Shepherd, which featured at his wedding to the Queen in 1947.
The Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields said it was now "beginning to sink in that she is gone from us - 'gone home' to express her own words".
As the royals filed out of the cathedral, members of the congregation bowed and curtseyed.
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Thousands who lined the streets the pay tribute to the Queen wept as the cortege passed this afternoon.
The Queen's hearse was led by two black horses as Black Watch guards stood either side of the car.
Andrew was earlier banned from wearing military uniform unlike his siblings so instead wore a morning suit.
One man was dragged away by police after he heckled the Duke of York.
The royals will attend a poignant vigil together inside the cathedral at 7.20pm tonight.
King Charles was given a gun salute as he arrived Holyroodhouse today before a rendition of the national anthem was played.
He also attended a Ceremony of the Keys on the forecourt as he was welcomed to his "ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland"
King Charles met with the crowds before sharing a solemn moment as he looked at tributes to his mother with Camilla.
The Queen left Balmoral for the final time yesterday morning for a six-hour drive to Edinburgh.
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The streets were packed with well-wishers, who wept and threw flowers in a tribute to Her Majesty.
A sea of fans had waited for hours on the famous Royal Mile to say a final goodbye to the Queen.
The coffin was met at Holyroodhouse by Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex.
Anne, who had made the sombre six-hour journey behind the hearse, looked mournful as bowed to her late mother.
Her Majesty's oak coffin remained in the throne room, which is familiar to her, overnight.
The Queen will lie in state for 24 hours, allowing Scots to come to pay their respects.
On Tuesday night, the Princess Royal will accompany her mother from Edinburgh Airport to RAF Northolt.
The coffin will be met by a Guard of Honour from the King's Guard as it arrives at Buckingham Palace.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will watch as it is carried to the Bow Room where chaplains will keep watch.
On Wednesday, there will be a horse and carriage procession through the streets of London at 2.22pm to Westminster Hall.
One million mourners are expected to visit her coffin as the Queen lies in state for four full days.
Details on how to attend will be released in the coming days but it is expected to operate on a first come first served basis.
Soldiers will guard the coffin around the clock as the streams of mourners file past.
Members of the Royal Family are also expected to take turns standing guard in a tradition known as the Vigil of the Princes.
Prince Edward and Charles both stood watch over the Queen Mother's coffin in 2002.
Her Majesty will then be laid to rest on Monday, September 19, at 11am.
The state funeral has officially been declared as a Bank Holiday with a two minute's silence to be held across the nation on Sunday.
The Queen's final resting place will be the King George VI memorial chapel where her mother and father were buried along with the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret.
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Prince Philip's coffin will move from the Royal Vault to the memorial chapel to join his beloved wife of 73 years.
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