Death of Elizabeth II: Crying people throw flowers on the street: Scotland bids farewell to the Queen

Thousands of people paid their respects to the dead Queen Elizabeth II on her final journey through Scotland.

Death of Elizabeth II: Crying people throw flowers on the street: Scotland bids farewell to the Queen

Thousands of people paid their respects to the dead Queen Elizabeth II on her final journey through Scotland. A hearse brought the monarch's body from her country home, Balmoral Castle in the Highlands, to Edinburgh, Scotland, on Sunday. There the convoy was met by crowds and an honor guard. The new King Charles III had previously spoken of his mother's "last great journey". spoken. The Queen died on Balmoral on Thursday at the age of 96.

In villages and towns, crowds of people silently lined the streets. Some cried, some threw flowers on the street as the column rolled by at a slow pace. Spontaneous applause and cheers also erupted on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

The funeral journey south, which under other circumstances is actually only about two and a half hours by car, lasted about six hours and passed through the cities of Aberdeen and Dundee, among other places. In the afternoon the convoy reached the Royal Residence Palace of Holyroodhouse. Her daughter Princess Anne had accompanied the coffin in another car, and the Queen's sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward were there on arrival.

The royal standard for Scotland was draped over the oaken coffin visible through the windows of the carriage. On it rested a wreath of plants native to the royal estate: dahlias, phlox, fir, white heather and sweet peas - one of the Queen's favorite flowers. Hundreds of bouquets of flowers that people had laid there lay at the gate of the castle. Hours before departure, hundreds had gathered along the route, some equipped with camping chairs, to pay their last respects to their queen.

The Queen traditionally withdrew to her Scottish country estate in the summer, this year she wanted to stay for around two months. She used to do a lot of hiking in the Highlands, chatting with local residents and tourists alike. She was considered a neighbor by the residents of the nearby town of Ballater.

Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to the Queen. "A sad and poignant moment as Her Majesty the Queen leaves her beloved Balmoral for the last time," Sturgeon wrote on Twitter. The head of the Scottish National Party SNP wants independence from Great Britain, but Scotland should remain a monarchy.

On Monday night, the Queen's coffin was to be laid out at Holyroodhouse Palace before being taken to St. Giles Cathedral in a procession on Monday. There, the monarch, his wife Queen Camilla and other royals attend a thanksgiving service. Afterwards, Scots have the opportunity to say goodbye to the Queen in the church. The transfer to London is planned for Tuesday.

The Queen's eldest son also officially became King Charles III in Edinburgh on Sunday midday. called out. A boo was also heard as the cry of "God Save the King" rang out. Shortly before the announcement, a protester held up a sign that read, among other things, "Abolish the monarchy." She was taken away by police officers.

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