(LONDON) King Charles III led the procession carrying Elizabeth II’s coffin to St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Monday in silence and surrounded by his brothers and sisters, where it will be displayed in public for the first time. A week’s farewell to the Emperor begins.
Posted at 6:29 p.m
Updated at 10:52 am.
What you need to know
- Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin is on display in Edinburgh;
- The remains leave the British monarch’s residence at Holyroodhouse, Scotland, to St. Giles’ Cathedral;
- Before arriving in the Scottish capital, King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla received condolences from the Speakers of the House of Lords and House of Commons;
- Charles III meets Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon;
- Prince Andrew can’t wear his military uniform;
- A private funeral wake will be held at 2:20 p.m. Montreal time.
Four days after Elizabeth II died at her Scottish castle of Balmoral and a week before her funeral in front of around 500 foreign dignitaries and millions of visitors, emotion is running high in the United Kingdom and many people are at one last time. Famous Sovereign Yatra.
After arriving in Edinburgh on Sunday through the Scottish countryside, her funeral procession left the Queen’s official residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, where the casket made its way to Saint-Gilles at 2:35 p.m. (9:35 a.m. EDT). Cathedral.
In line, Elizabeth II’s four children followed the hearse on foot for more than a kilometer through the Scottish capital’s old town: Charles III, Princes Andrew and Edward and Princess Anne walked in rhythm, all in military uniform except for Andrew, who stepped down from the monarchy following sexual abuse allegations that ended with him paying millions of dollars. .
A distinction that confirms the sidelining of the man often described as Elizabeth II’s “favourite son”.
In a religious ceremony following the procession, the crown of Scotland, in solid gold, is placed on the coffin. A relic of Elizabeth II, a symbol of stability during decades of upheaval, a planetary symbol of reassurance to the British in times of crisis, will be on display in the cathedral for 24 hours, leading to a huge influx.
“I’ll be there for as long as it takes,” Scotland’s Sam Whitton, who stood in a long queue to see the coffin, told AFP. For him, the Queen “represents a piece of history that will probably happen for the last time in our lifetime.” »
“It’s something I’ll never see again. I have to do something,” said Steve Crofts, 47 and living near the Scottish capital.
“I’m devastated, it’s the end of an era, but after listening to Charles in recent days, I think he’s ready,” said Sue Stevens, a 79-year-old Englishwoman.
“The Weight of History”
In a context of severe social crisis and division in the United Kingdom, but also because of competition in his 14 other kingdoms to deal with the colonial past, Charles III appointed himself monarch.
He will tackle it at 73 years older than British sovereigns when they ascended the throne.
After a religious service in Edinburgh, Charles III was to receive the first minister for Scottish independence, Nicola Sturgeon. Later, at 7:20 p.m. (10:20 a.m. EDT), private funerals for the royal family begin.
The new king received condolences from the speakers of the House of Lords and the House of Commons in the British Parliament in London on Monday.
“As I stand before you today, I cannot help but feel the weight of history that surrounds us and remind me of the important parliamentary traditions to which members of both Houses are devoted,” the sovereign said in a short speech.
He said that his mother was “an example of dedication, with God’s help and your guidance that I am determined to follow faithfully.”
Elizabeth II remained head of state with unwavering neutrality throughout her 70-year reign, never publicly expressing her constitutional duties, opening parliament, promulgating laws, confirming appointments and assuming the throne, two days before dying aged 96, his 15e Head of Government
Stepping away from the monarchy from “Mexit”, Prince Harry paid tribute to Elizabeth II, whom he described as a “compass”, his “grandma” sense of duty and her “infectious smile”: “You are already missed so much.”
“Time for Reflection” Sunday
On Sunday, Oak Coffin, which covered the 300km distance between Balmoral and Balmoral in six hours, waited for hours to be sure to be in the front row without seeing the Oak Coffin for a few seconds. and Edinburgh.
After being presented to the public for 24 hours, the body will be loaded onto a royal plane bound for London at Edinburgh Airport on Tuesday evening.
It will be on public display 24 hours a day from Wednesday evening on the dais at the Palace of Westminster, draped in royal standards.
According to The Times newspaper, 750,000 people can try to see the coffin, while the longest queues – can reach eight kilometers.
Elizabeth II’s remains will lie in parliament for five days before a state funeral. Around 500 foreign dignitaries are expected – a significant security challenge for police – including US President Joe Biden, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as well as several crown princes.
The day before the event, Sunday, people will be called to observe a minute’s silence at 8pm (3pm EDT), which Downing Street called “a moment of reflection” in memory of a sovereign whose longevity is unrivaled in history. of the United Kingdom.
