The cortege from Balmoral is the first of a series of events leading up to the state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London on September 19.

Her death has drawn tears, sadness and warm tributes, not just from the Queen’s own close family and many in Britain, but also from around the globe – reflecting her presence on the world stage for seven decades.

As the hearse reached the small village of Ballater near Balmoral, hundreds stood beside the road in silence in bright morning sunshine as the hearse passed, some throwing flowers into the road.

“It’s like a family member, it overwhelms – the sadness – that she’s not going to be with us,” said Elizabeth Alexander, 69, who was born on the day the Queen was crowned in 1953.

“We’ve travelled quite a while today to come here but felt it was really important to come and pay respects as she passed through Ballater,” a tearful Nicola Gibson told Reuters. “I suppose like everybody else, just lots of emotions.”

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The procession moved from the remote castle through picturesque countryside, villages and small towns to the Scottish capital.

After entering the gates of Holyroodhouse, members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland carried the coffin past Princess Anne and into the throne room. It will remain there until Monday afternoon so residence staff can pay their respects.

The Queen had been a regular visitor to the palace since she was a child. Upon inheriting the throne following the death of her father, King George VI, on February 6, 1952, it became her official residence in Scotland.

It is now the official residence of Charles, who became King immediately after his mother’s death. He was proclaimed monarch at a ceremony that was full of centuries-old traditions at St James’ Palace in London on Saturday.

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Similar proclamations have followed across the United Kingdom and the other 14 realms of which Charles is now head of state, including Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said parliament would be recalled on Thursday to allow members to pay tribute.

While Elizabeth’s death was not totally unexpected given her age, the fact her health had been deteriorating and the passing of her husband of 73 years Prince Philip last year, there was still a sense of shock at the news.

“We all thought she was invincible,” her grandson Prince William, now the heir to the throne, told a well-wisher on Saturday as he met crowds at Windsor castle.

Elizabeth’s funeral will take place at London’s Westminster Abbey and September 19 will be a public holiday in Britain, officials announced. US President Joe Biden said he would be there, although full details of the event and the attendees have not yet been released.

Before that, her coffin will be flown to London and there will be a sombre procession when it is later moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall to lie in state for four days.

In 2002, more than 200,000 people queued to pay their respects to Elizabeth’s mother while her coffin lay in state and aides have previously said there is an expectation that millions may want to visit.

“It goes without saying that we can expect large numbers of people,” a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Liz Truss told reporters.

Reuters

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