In Scotland, the British gather in front of the coffin of Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II's coffin will be on display for 24 hours at Saint-Gilles Cathedral.

AP - Jane Barlow

Text by: RFI Follow

3 mins

For the first time since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the British were able to meditate on her coffin, this Monday, September 12, 2022. It was exposed to Saint-Gilles Cathedral in Edinburgh, on the first day of a week of farewell to the late sovereign.

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The funeral procession which passed through Edinburgh in a procession led by

and his siblings arrived mid-afternoon at St. Giles Cathedral.

All dressed in a black military uniform, they marched on the cobbled streets of the Scottish capital to the rhythm of cannon shots fired every minute from Edinburgh Castle.

And after a religious ceremony,

's coffin , draped in the Scottish Royal Standard and Crown of Scotland, is now on display until Tuesday before heading to London.

More than 30,000 bracelets, accessories needed to enter the cathedral and pray to Queen Elizabeth, have been distributed, according to the police.

From the first hours, hundreds of Britons were present around the building.

The procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, Monday, September 12, 2022. via REUTERS - POOL

While the British waited all afternoon for the chance to bow one last time before their late sovereign, the children of Elizabeth II returned in the evening for a funeral wake.

For about ten minutes, their backs turned to the coffin, they meditated before leaving the cathedral to the applause of the crowd.

After this quick passage in Scotland, the coffin will therefore take the road to London where it will make a first stop at Buckingham Palace before being conveyed to Westminster on Wednesday, where thousands of people are expected.

Then will begin the “Lying in State”, the exhibition to the public of the coffin until September 19, date of the funeral.

British King Charles III, surrounded by his sister, Princess Anne, and his brothers Andrew and Edward, at Saint Gilles Cathedral in Edinburgh, September 12, 2022. AFP - JANE BARLOW

And for King Charles III, it was also the first stop on his journey around the four nations of the United Kingdom as king.

In the crowd in front of Saint-Gilles Cathedral, the British expect a lot from this new monarch.

“

, ”says David, at the microphone of our special correspondent,

.

Many, like Eilen, also hope that King Charles III continues to care about the environment.

I hope it will focus on nature and keep the tradition of the royal family intact.

I think it is important for the country to have this person at the top, on whom we can count.

Even though I know they have no power, they are comforting!

But the city of Edinburgh has two faces.

On the other side of the bridge, the city is bubbling and Neinh is not concerned about the monarchy: "

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• UK

• Elizabeth II

• Charles III