Thousands line up to pay final respects to late Queen; government issues guidelines

Thousands line up to pay final respects to late Queen; government issues guidelines

The body of the late Queen Elizabeth was taken by road from Balmoral Palace in Scotland to Edinburgh on Sunday. King Charles will meet with lawmakers in Parliament in London on Monday, ahead of his mother Queen Elizabeth's coffin being carried into the city's historic cathedral.

The new monarch will join senior members of the royal family in prayer at St Giles' Cathedral, where the coffin will rest before flying to London on Tuesday.

Since Elizabeth's death aged 96 at Balmoral Castle, her Scottish holiday home, a choreographed series of plans to mourn Britain's monarch of 70 years has been put into operation.

In his first public comments since Queen Elizabeth's death, Prince Harry paid an emotional tribute to his "grandmother" on Monday, saying she would be missed not only by the family but the whole world.

"We are also smiling at the fact that you and your grandfather are now reunited and both are at peace," Harry said, referring to Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip, 73, who died last year.

Her beautiful oak coffin, draped with a wreath on the Royal Standard of Scotland, travelled six hours from Balmoral through picturesque Scottish villages, villages and small towns to Edinburgh. Tens of thousands of well-wishers lined the roads to pay their respects, while large crowds, some in tears, greeted the cortege in Edinburgh.

He travels to Edinburgh with his wife Camilla, sister Anne, and brothers Andrew and Edward.

The Queen's children will walk behind the hearse as their mother's coffin is escorted by soldiers to St Giles Cathedral.

On arrival at the church, the Duke of Hamilton and the Scottish peer Brandon will place the Crown of Scotland on the coffin.

After a service at the shrine, the coffin will be kept in the cathedral for 24 hours to allow people to pay their respects. Soldiers from the Royal Company of Archers will guard the coffin.

On Tuesday, the coffin will be taken to London and will be kept in a catafalque at Westminster Hall until Wednesday, September 19, the day of Elizabeth's state funeral.

It would be guarded against the Tower of London by soldiers or yeoman warders known as Beefeaters.

Guidelines to pay final respects 

People wanting to pay their final respects to Queen Elizabeth II as she lies in state at the Houses of Parliament in London need to be prepared for a long wait.

The government has published guidelines for people wishing to file past the late queen's closed coffin as it lies in state at the Palace of Westminster from 5 p.m. (1600 GMT) Wednesday until 6:30 a.m. (0530 GMT) on Sept 19. Thousands are expected to want to pay tribute to the only monarch that many in the United Kingdom have ever known.

No food or liquids will be allowed past security screening at the Houses of Parliament. Nor will flowers or other tributes such as candles, toys or photographs.

“Please respect the dignity of this event and behave appropriately. You should remain silent while inside the Palace of Westminster,” the advice says, adding that people must dress appropriately and turn off their mobile phones before going through security.

Included in a list of things not to do: “Film, photograph, use mobile phones or other handheld devices in the security search area or within the Palace of Westminster. Bring or erect gazebos or tents. Light barbecues and fires.”

And a long list of prohibited items includes fireworks, smoke canisters, flares, whistles, laser devices and other items that could be used to cause a disturbance as well as any banners, placards, flags, advertising or marketing messages.

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