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The remains of Elizabeth II have already arrived in the British capital after leaving Edinburgh on a Royal Air Force plane, where they will remain so that hundreds of thousands of civilians pay tribute to her until the moment of burial, next Monday. In Scotland, 33,000 people passed through St. Giles Cathedral. King Charles III headed to Northern Ireland before receiving his mother in Buckingham. Tomorrow there will be a procession to Westminster.
The tributes to Queen Elizabeth II continue in the United Kingdom this Tuesday, September 13, the day in which the coffin returned from Scotland to remain in London until the moment of burial.
Her Majesty’s remains remained for 24 hours in Edinburgh’s Saint Giles Cathedral. During her stay, more than 33,000 citizens came to say goodbye to a leader who “was always there” for them, according to what some congregants described to the EFE agency.
The chest ended up surrounded by flowers and with a crown at the head, which was revered by the civilians who waited up to 12 hours to be able to access the religious facilities for a few moments.
The ranks were formed from Monday at noon until the end of “Operation Unicorn”, the protocol designed in the event that the sovereign died outside of London. The burning chapel of Isabel II ended at 3:00 p.m. local time after being open all night.
After his farewell on Scottish soil, the coffin undertook the return trip to London escorted by Princess Anne, where it arrived around 8:00 p.m.
After arriving aboard a Royal Air Force unit, the queen’s body will be transferred to Buckingham Palace, the official residence. King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will wait there, and then move to the Bow Room. Employees and family members will be able to give their last regards there.
On Wednesday, after noon, there will be a procession of approximately 40 minutes from Buckingham to Westminster Hall transported in a carriage accompanied by a military parade and members of the royal family.
A funeral chapel will be started for British citizens to pay their condolences. The crown, orb and scepter will be placed in the coffin, while there will be a short religious service before the opening to the public.
Between tomorrow and Monday, the day on which the state funeral will be held, almost half a million people are expected to attend to pay their respects. Massive queues are already forming to access Westminster, open day and night.
Charles III and the queen consort, in Northern Ireland
On the morning of this Tuesday, both made their first official appearance in Belfast since Carlos III is king. They visited Hillsborough Castle to attend an exhibition dedicated to Elizabeth II’s relationship with Northern Ireland.
Later, the monarch met with the Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris and other leaders of the country in a context in which relations between London and Belfast are at a tense moment.
At the meeting, they received condolences from Northern Ireland leaders and the President of the Northern Ireland Home Rule Assembly.
Carlos III affirmed that he will continue the “excellent example” that his mother did during the 70 years of reign. Before returning to London, Carlos and Camilla attended a religious service at St. Anne’s Cathedral.
With EFE and Reuters
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