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Crowds of citizens began gathering in the British capital, London, in preparation for the arrival of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth from the Scottish capital of Edinburgh to Westminster Abbey, where her body will remain there for four days, in preparation for the funeral scheduled for September 19.
The ceremony begins at 17:00 GMT on Wednesday and continues until 06:30 on Monday 19 September, the day the Queen’s funeral.
The audience prepares to bid farewell to the Queen by standing in a long queue that begins at Lambeth Bridge.
A citizen named Grace told the BBC that she “always follows the royal occasions”, especially since her father participated, as part of the Irish Guard, in the coronation ceremonies of the Queen.
“We went this morning to attend the ceremonial arrival of Her Majesty’s coffin in Westminster, and I am deeply saddened,” she added.
“I think the whole nation is sad and overflowing with tears, and so are we,” Grace said.
Another citizen, Vanessa, described the ceremony as “a once-in-a-lifetime unique”.
“That is how we want to pay our respects to the Queen who has done such a great service to the country, the Commonwealth and the world,” she said.
photo released, Getty Images
King Charles III next to the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II
Thousands of people lined the streets of Edinburgh yesterday as the king and members of the royal family followed the casket as it made its way from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles’ Cathedral.
Outside St Giles’ Cathedral, throngs of citizens lined up right around Parliament Square after waiting for hours to greet the Queen.
Inside the cathedral, there is the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, with the crown of Scotland on the front of the casket.
The elderly also made sure to participate, and waited for this moment for hours, this moment means a lot to them, as it is the queen of the country for most of their lives.
Crowds of citizens began flocking to the cathedral on Monday evening, keen to take a last look at the Queen and participate in this historic moment.
Queues stretched across the George IV Bridge in Edinburgh
The BBC met Elizabeth Mbuliti, who is from Uganda but lives in Glasgow, who came to participate and stand in a long queue with her son Daniel and daughter Angel.
Elizabeth said: “My mother was born the same year as the Queen, so they called her Elizabeth. She loved the Queen very much, so she called me Elizabeth too.”
She added: “(My mother) is now 96 years old and on Saturday I traveled to Balmoral to show her respect for the Queen.”
She added, “We grew up being a big fan of the royal family… We wanted to come today and participate in this historic moment.”
What is happening today?
In the morning: King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will visit Belfast where he will meet Minister of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris, as well as other party leaders.
After the meeting, the king will meet with clergy, and the royal couple will attend a prayer service at St Anne’s Cathedral before returning to London.
17:00 The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is scheduled to be transported from St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh to the city’s airport, and then flown to RAF Northault Airport in London, at 18:00.
Princess Anne will accompany the casket as she has since the beginning of her journey at Balmoral.
It’s 19:00 The casket is expected to arrive in London and then be taken to Buckingham Palace, where it will be greeted by the King and Queen Consort Camilla.
photo released, Getty Images
Princess Anne will accompany the casket as she has since the beginning of the journey in Balmoral
On the other hand, activists in the field of defending freedom of expression in Britain expressed concern after the arrest of a number of anti-monarchy protesters during the royal transition.
The authorities arrested at least four people – in Edinburgh, Oxford and London, but all were later released. A woman will have to appear in court.
Ruth Smith, chief executive of Oversight Index, said the arrests were “extremely concerning,” adding: “We must beware that this event is used, by accident or on purpose, to in any way undermine the freedom of expression enjoyed by the citizens of this country.” “.
photo released, Getty Images
Silky Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, said police officers “have a duty to protect people’s right to protest as much as they have a duty to facilitate people’s right to express their support, grief or respect.”
Judy Beck, Liberty’s policy and campaigns officer, said it was “extremely concerning to see police imposing their broad powers in a harsh and punitive manner.”
“Protest is not a gift from the state, it is a fundamental right,” she added.
photo released, Getty Images
A spokesman for the British prime minister declined to comment on the arrests individually, but said: “Overall, it is clear that this is a period of national mourning for the majority, the vast majority of the country.”
“But the fundamental right to protest remains the cornerstone of our democracy.”
Fans will be allowed to line the casket path to the airport.
The coffin is expected to arrive in London shortly before 7 pm, before being taken to Buckingham Palace, where it will be greeted by King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla and other members of the royal family.
From Thursday, the Queen’s coffin will be placed in Westminster Abbey for four days, with her funeral service scheduled for September 19.