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Queen’s oak coffin to be transported by six of Balmoral estate’s gamekeepers
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The final journey for Queen Elizabeth II will begin today as her coffin will be taken in a 100-mile “poignant” journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh.
Draped with the Royal Standard of Scotland and with a wreath of flowers on top, the Queen’s coffin has remained at rest in Balmoral so estate workers can say their last goodbyes to the late monarch.
The oak coffin will be lifted onto a hearse at 10am by six of Balmoral estate’s gamekeepers tasked with the symbolic six-hour journey to Edinburgh.
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said the “poignant” journey, which will see the Queen’s coffin transported to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, will give the public a chance to “mark our country’s shared loss”.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Prince and Princess of Wales were earlier united in grief as they went on a walkabout close to the Windsor Castle.
Harry and Meghan joined William and Kate in public for the first time since the Queen’s Jubilee in June, as they inspected tributes.
Spectators line the streets in Ballater to watch the Queen’s cortege pass through.
The Queen’s coffin is expected to leave Balmoral at 10am as it heads towards Edinburgh with an estimated arrival of 4pm.
The crowds are building up at Ballater, one of the first villages the Queen’s coffin is expected to drive through, our reporter Holly Bancroft who is on the scene in Balmoral, reports.
Standing in front of Ballater church, a group of His majesty’s Lord Lieutenants, deputy Lord Lieutenants and civic representatives have gathered to pay their respects.
Reverend David Barr told The Independent that the death of Queen was like “your Nan passing away”.
He described it as a “really deep down grief” that was keenly felt by the local community.
People wishing to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II following her death can now share their thoughts in an official condolence book.
The online book gives members of the public an opportunity to express their condolences, describe what the Queen means to them, and pass on any message to the Royal Family.
Those wishing to offer their condolences can do so at the official Royal Family website here, clicking the burgundy tab on the right-hand side of the page that reads “Book of Condolence”.
According to the site, a selection of messages will be passed on to members of the Royal Family and may be held in the Royal Archives for posterity.
Members of the people can share their memories and thoughts of what the Queen meant to them
Crowds were already gathering under foggy skies at Buckingham Palace in central London to pay their respects to the Queen.
The early-morning atmosphere was sombre and calm as security personnel flanked the flow of mourners walking around the parks and the Palace.
Many families with young children and people with dogs appeared to have arrived early to lay flowers in St James’s Park and Green Park before the crowds grow.
Little boys and girls could be seen holding bunches of colourful flowers, Paddington bears and handmade cards while dogs were occasionally yapping at each other as they trotted along on the lead with their owners.
People could be seen pausing to bend down and read messages that have been left among the piles of blooms laid by trees and railings, saying: “We will miss you” and “Thank you for your service”.
The Queen’s coffin will be taken by road to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh today.
It will first leave Balmoral Castle at 10am and pass through Ballatar square, arriving at Aberdeen at around 11am.
The coffin will then travel down, reaching Dundee at approximately 2pm, pass through Perth and then finally arrive at Edinburgh at around 4pm.
There will be “overwhelming emotion” when the Queen’s coffin passes through the Aberdeenshire village of Ballater, where many local people knew her, the local minister has said.
Reverend David Barr said locals regarded the Windsors as “like neighbours”, particularly as the Queen had been coming to Balmoral Castle since she was a girl, and people in the area had long-standing relationships with the estate.
He said: “When she comes up here, and she goes through those gates, I believe the royal part of her stays mostly outside.
“And as she goes in, she was able to be a wife, a loving wife, a loving mum, a loving gran and then later on a loving great gran – and aunty – and be normal.
“Now 70 years, she’s given her life, even up to the very last day, she’s given us service.
“So, here in the village, we want to give back, (and) by allowing the royal family to come here and go into the shops and have a cup of coffee and not be bothered.
“That’s what this community has done for 70 years.”
He added: “As you stand here today and you watch Her Majesty pass, that will be very tangible and be very real for people, and I think that will bring on an overwhelming amount of emotion.”
Mourners have started to gather at Ballater, a village close to Balmoral, in anticipation for the Queen’s funeral cortège.
The Queen’s coffin is expected to drive through the centre of the Highland village at around 10:15am, fifteen minutes after leaving the royal Scottish residence.
Margaret Phinn, 57, had travelled three hours from Glasgow on Saturday night to be at Ballater this morning.
Clutching a thermos full of tea and a bunch of yellow roses, she told The Independent: “I just thought I wanted to come here because it has such close links to the family. The family have always felt more comfortable here.
“I was so shocked when the Queen died. I thought she would always be here.”
She added that she was hoping to throw her roses on the hearse as it drives past.
Margaret Phinn
Yesterday, England’s cricketers became the first sports team to sing “God Save the King”, following the formal declaration of King Charles III as the new monarch.
The crowd who had gathered to watch the England v South Africa test heartily joined in.
Charles hosted guests at Dumfries House in Cumnock the day before he became King.
His friend Alan Titchmarsh, who was part of the group, recalled the end of the evening.
“Because I stood by the door, he shook my hand last of all and said ‘Come and see us soon for tea’. I thanked him and he left the room as Duke of Rothesay, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and assorted other titles, unaware that he was doing so for the very last time. He was happy; it had been a good day.
“The next day, he woke up early as usual, but by the middle of the afternoon those ancient appellations would be redistributed among more junior members of his family. Prince William became Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall. Prince Charles would have but one title: The King.”
King Charles III was formally declared as the country’s new monarch by the Accession Council in London on Saturday.
The Queen’s body will today be transported from Balmoral to Edinburgh.
Here is what else is happening over the coming days:
The Queen’s funeral in expected to take place in around eight days’ time
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Two days after her death, a flag with the image of Queen Elizabeth II flies at a vendor’s cart outside Charing Cross on 10 September 2022 in London, United Kingdom
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