King Charles ‘wracked with anguish’ standing by Queen’s coffin but able to hold back tears, says body language expert

THE Queen's children held a poignant vigil last night in Edinburgh's St Giles Cathedral as mourners filed past her majesty's coffin as she lies in state.

King Charles was joined by Princess Anne and Princes Edward and Andrew as the royals paid a solemn tribute to their mother.

Slowly walking through the historic cathedral, the royals took their positions in turn around Queen Elizabeth's casket.

The new monarch stood at the head of the coffin, with Anne and Edward either side and Andrew at the foot.

Keeping their heads facing down at the floor, the Queen's grieving children stood silently as mourners fought back tears as they filed past.

When he first entered the church, Charles looked in "reasonably good spirits", said The Sun's body language expert Judi James.

"He was chatting to their hosts and even exchanging some smiles and laughter with his brothers," she added.

But as the ceremony began, the weight of the moment began showing in the royal's behaviour.

Judi said: "He appeared unusually agitated as they entered though, constantly looking round as though to check they were all there with him and appearing to relax a little when Edward appeared.

"Edward’s lips were sucked in as he arrived, suggesting regret and a desire to brace himself for the vigil.

"Sophie arrived with Camilla, still looking absolutely stricken by grief.

"She had been dabbing her eyes during the service and she looked on the brink of tears here."

Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Edinburgh to observe the vigil, which dates back to 1936, as they paid their respects to the Queen.

As her majesty's children walked into position, Judi pointed out a telling moment from the Princess Royal.

"Anne had been watching the coffin closely during the walk to the church and then inside for the service, using such an intense stare that she looked like the very dutiful daughter still desperately protecting her mother, even after death," said the body language expert.

"To walk up to that coffin which was now at eye level and turn her back to stand guard must have taken emotional strength, and the last glance she aimed at it showed a rounded-eye expression of utter sadness.

Charles stepped into place, taking what looked like an important moment of reflection after a hectic couple of days.

Judi James

"He looked ahead with some rapid blinks suggesting some inner anxiety or anguish, before adopting the vigil position of a lowered head and hands clasped in front of the torso.

"Being so close to the coffin and standing alone and in silence must have meant the possibility of being overwhelmed by emotion, but all four siblings seemed to manage to adopt a pose of stoic reflection.

"It was a moment when Charles in particular, who has frequently been looking tearful, could have so easily broken down."

Thousands of mourners are expected to visit the Cathedral this evening to see the Queen's coffin in Edinburgh before she is flown back to London.

The Queen is expected to fly from Edinburgh airport to RAF Northolt in West London at 6pm tonight, accompanied by Princess Anne.

Her coffin will then travel by hearse to Buckingham Palace, where a procession will take Her Majesty to Westminster Hall on Wednesday.

She will then lie in state there until 6.30am next Monday, the day of her funeral.

Before she is buried, up to a million mourners are expected to file past - with queues up to 12 hours long, stretching three miles.