The news is still hard to digest. On Thursday September 8, 2022, the Queen of England, Elizabeth II, died at the age of 96, surrounded by her loved ones but forsaking, by force of circumstance, all of her people. To appease hearts and silence suffering, the whole country is entering a week of mourning, until the sovereign is entitled to her funeral on September 19. For now, the remains of Prince Philip’s wife are still in Scotland. On Sunday September 11, she was transported to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official royal residence there – she died at Balmoral Castle.
The Queen is currently in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and the British people can finally bid her farewell. The coffin of Elizabeth II is on display to the public, from Monday September 12, 2022, in Saint-Gilles Cathedral. To lead it to its destination, a moving procession has been organised, led by King Charles III, who decidedly begins his reign in sadness and affliction. He was this morning in the Parliament of London, with his wife, the queen consort Camilla, to receive the condolences of the presidents of the two houses. Now he walks alone, in silence, behind the hearse carrying his mother. But this beautiful harmony was interrupted by a young man, screaming imperceptible words, quickly interrupted by the police.
The rest will take place in the greatest discretion. After the procession, a religious ceremony will take place during which the Crown of Scotland will be placed on the coffin. The royal family will then attend, without crowds, a funeral wake. But there is still a long way to go until the funeral of Elizabeth II. His body will be moved on Tuesday evening September 13 and will leave Scotland in a royal plane, heading for London. There, Her Majesty’s coffin will be displayed, closed, draped with the royal standard, on a platform at the Palace of Westminster from Wednesday evening. The Queen’s remains will remain in Parliament for five days before the state funeral.