Politics

Queen’s coffin leaves Balmoral for Edinburgh

Edinburgh, UK, Sep 11 (EFE).- The funeral cortege of Queen Elizabeth II left Balmoral Castle on Sunday for the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh.

The sovereign’s oak coffin was draped with the royal banner of Scotland and a wreath of white flowers.

The funeral cortege began a six-hour journey from the Queen’s Balmoral residence, where she died on Thursday aged 96, for the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the royal residence in Scotland’s capital.

The procession with the monarch’s coffin will pass through several Scottish towns, including Ballater — near Balmoral — Aberdeen and Dundee.

Princess Anne, the Queen’s daughter, and her husband Tim Laurence, are traveling behind the hearse.

The funeral cortege will travel slowly through the towns it visits so that as many people as possible can bid farewell to the Queen, who spent her holidays in Scotland every summer.

The Queen’s coffin is expected to arrive at the Palace of Holyroodhouse at around 3:00 p.m. GMT.

The funeral cortege will leave the royal residence on Monday and will travel down the Royal Mile — an avenue that links Holyroodhouse with Edinburgh Castle — towards St Giles Cathedral where a religious service with members of the royal family, including King Charles III, will be held.

The sovereign’s coffin will remain in the cathedral for 24 hours so that residents can pay their respects.

On Tuesday, the Queen’s coffin will be taken to the British capital for a state funeral that will take place on September 19 at Westminster Abbey.

Charles will be meeting Commonwealth representatives at a Sunday audience before leaving for Edinburgh on Monday to travel with his mother’s coffin on its journey to the capital ahead of the funeral.

King Charles III automatically became king of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth realms when his mother died.

On Monday morning, the new monarch will address lawmakers at the Houses of Parliament before leaving for Edinburgh with the Queen Consort Camilla.

The head of state will review the High Constables and Guard of Honor at the royal residence of Holyrood before attending the service at St Giles Cathedral.

The King will also meet with Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, at Holyroodhouse and will later visit the Scottish Parliament for the first time as sovereign.

Charles is expected to visit the parliaments of Belfast and Wales this week.EFE

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