King Charles III and his siblings—Prince Andrew, Edward and Princess Anne—stayed by the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II while it was open to the public at St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Monday evening. Hundreds of mourners were queuing outside the cathedral to pay their respects on Monday evening. The cathedral will remain open to the public overnight, according to guidance issued by the Scottish Government. Earlier Monday, a short service of thanksgiving took place at the cathedral following a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The 73-year-old monarch and his siblings walked behind the hearse, while Camilla, Queen Consort, traveled in a car behind.
When Prince Charles attended his mother’s funeral, he wore full day ceremonial uniform with the rank of Field Marshal, and carried the Field Marshal Baton given to him by his mother when he was awarded the rank in 2012. The procession moved through crowds of onlookers standing in near-total silence on Edinburgh’s streets. Elizabeth’s coffin was draped in the Royal Standard in Scotland and was dressed with a wreath of flowers, which included dried white heather from Balmoral. The hearse was flanked by an escort party of Scottish soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland as well as a detachment of bodyguards from the Royal Company of Archers.
Following a procession down the Royal Mile, the coffin was received by the Royal Company of Archers at Edinburgh Castle. The family then attended a short service of prayer and reflection, joined by a congregation made up “from all areas of Scottish society” according to Buckingham Palace. UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, Gordon Brown and Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon were also present. Following the service, Charles met with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. In addition, he had an audience with presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament David Steel and gave an address to parliament: “I know that the Scottish Parliament and the people of Scotland share with me a profound sense of grief at the death of my beloved mother,” said Charles in an address to parliament. “My mother felt as I do, the greatest admiration for the Scottish people for their magnificent achievements, and their indomitable spirit.”
Sturgeon said that Elizabeth had been “the anchor of our nation” during a speech at the parliament. “Your Majesty, we stand ready to support you as you continue your own life of service – and as you build on the extraordinary legacy of your beloved mother, our Queen,” she told Charles. Earlier, the King vowed to continue the Queen’s “dedicated service” to British people in his first address to UK Parliament in London. The Queen Consort accompanied Charles on his first visit to Palace of Westminster since becoming King. In ancient Westminster Hall, both Houses of Parliament offered their condolences on his mother’s death. “We gather today in remembrance of remarkable span of late Majesty’s dedicated service to her nations and people,” he said.”
Queen Elizabeth II vowed to set an example of selfless duty with God’s help and the aid of her council, according to a statement she made during a visit with her husband King Charles at Westminster Abbey. After the visit, the monarch and his wife flew to Edinburgh, where Queen Elizabeth had been lying at rest since Sunday. The pair headed straight to the Palace of Holyroodhouse for the Ceremony of the Keys – a tradition whereby the Lord Provost offers the monarch the keys to the city.
