King Charles III and other Royal Family members stand vigil by Queen Elizabeth II's coffin

King Charles III and other Royal Family members stand vigil by Queen Elizabeth II's coffin
Vigil
Aden-Jay Wood

By Aden-Jay Wood


Published: 12/09/2022

- 19:53

Updated: 12/09/2022

- 22:55

The Princess Royal, the Earl of Wessex and the Duke of York also stood by the coffin

King Charles III and his siblings have returned to St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh for a vigil beside the Queen’s coffin.

The King, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex took their places at the four sides of the oak coffin.


They stood alongside four suited members of the Royal Company of Archers, who were standing guard dressed in long-feathered hats and armed with arrows and quivers.

King Charles III led a vigil beside Queen Elizabeth II's coffin
King Charles III led a vigil beside Queen Elizabeth II's coffin
GB News

A procession of members of the public queuing to view the coffin on Monday evening was temporarily paused to allow the royals to take their places.

The Duke of York kept his eyes closed for a period of time during the vigil, while the Princess Royal and Earl of Wessex had their eyes fixed towards the floor.

The King kept his hands joined and also looked towards the floor as members of the public filed past.

The King and his family began their vigil at the coffin at 7.46pm and finished it at 7.56pm.

The Queen Consort and Countess of Wessex sat on seats opposite the coffin while the vigil took place.

Shortly after they took their positions at the coffin the public procession resumed.

King Charles III and other members of the royal family hold a vigil at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, in honour of Queen Elizabeth II as members of the public walk past. Picture date: Monday September 12, 2022.
The King, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex took their places at the four sides of the oak coffin
Jane Barlow

A number of members of the public bowed as they passed the King, with others walking solemnly by with heads down.

Members of the crowd cheered as the King arrived at the cathedral.

The King wore the Prince Charles Edward Stuart tartan and white heather in his lappelle from Balmoral.

As he drove past them, they said: “Here he is! Here he is! It’s the king!” while taking pictures and videos.

People cheered in delight as the King waved at onlookers waiting at the barriers to see him.

One woman said: “I missed him earlier and travelled up from Glasgow to see him. I waited five hours – I finally saw him!”

Earlier on Monday, the King was joined by other senior royals on foot, as they followed the hearse carrying his mother's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse in procession to St Giles’ Cathedral.

A wreath on her coffin consists of nine different flowers, including white spray roses, white freesias, white button chrysanthemums and dried white heather.

Her coffin was carried in to the cathedral, where it is due to rest for 24 hours

You may like