Death of Elizabeth II: the Queen’s body leaves Balmoral

The coffin of Elizabeth II has begun its final journey. Three days after Her Majesty’s death, her body left Balmoral, Scotland on Sunday, September 10. Several cars, including a hearse, took the road from this residence in which she loved to spend her summers and where she breathed her last. Elizabeth II’s coffin procession is due to last around six hours today. She will travel nearly 300 kilometers to arrive in Edinburgh, where the body of Elizabeth II will remain for a few days. According to the BBC, no less than 45 vehicles escort the hearse including police motorbikes, police vans, extra security and an ambulance. Elizabeth II’s coffin, visible through the carriage, is covered with the Royal Standard for Scotland and topped with a wreath of sweet peas, one of her favorite flowers.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said what it is “a sad and poignant moment” as the queen leaves “his beloved Balmoral” for the last time. The route planned for this procession notably passes through the cities of Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth. Elizabeth II’s coffin will then rest in the Throne Room of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh until Monday 12 September. In the afternoon, King Charles III and other members of the royal family will accompany the coffin in procession to Saint-Gilles Cathedral, where a service will take place and where the inhabitants will be able to gather for 24 hours. . The remains of Elizabeth II will then be repatriated to London, during a trip to which Princess Anne will attend, as announced by Buckingham Palace.

Elizabeth II: when will her funeral take place

In the early afternoon of Wednesday, September 14, the coffin – adorned with the Imperial State Crown, accompanied by a wreath of flowers – will be taken in a procession to the Palace of Westminster. King Charles III, Members of the Royal Family and Senior Staff of the Queen’s and King’s Households will walk silently behind the coffin past Queen’s Gardens, Horse Guards Parade and Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Houses of Parliament Square and New Palace Yard. Throughout the procession, shots will be fired into Hyde Park by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and Big Ben will ring. Her Majesty will then rest in Westminster Hall for four full days before his funeral begins on Monday, September 19.

As was the case with that of her mother in 2002, Elizabeth II’s coffin will rest on a raised platform, called a catafalque, under the medieval wooden roof of the 11th century hall. The funeral of the monarch who died at the age of 96 will take place in Westminster Abbey, where she became queen in 1953, but also the place where Prince Philip married in 1947. After her funeral, Elizabeth He will be buried in the royal vault of the Saint-Georges chapel, alongside her father and her husband. King Charles III will begin a trip of a few days across the United Kingdom, with Camilla Parker Bowles. In Scotland, he will meet the Prime Minister and then the Speaker of the Scottish Parliament and will also travel to Wales before attending the last farewell to his dear mother.