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Queen Elizabeth II: Coffin to travel by road from Balmoral to Edinburgh

Andrew Milligan Members of the public line the streets in Ballater, Scotland, as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, will pass through BallaterAndrew Milligan
Members of the public line the streets in Ballater

The Queen's coffin has left Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire and is making a six-hour journey to Edinburgh.

The cortege began the 175-mile journey at 10:00 and will make its way through Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Angus and Tayside before reaching Edinburgh.

The Queen will then lie at rest in The Palace of Holyroodhouse overnight.

Officials have warned the event is going to be "of unprecedented scale" and urged onlookers to choose a safe vantage point.

There will be designated viewing locations along the route in Ballater, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh.

Map showing the route the procession carrying the Queen's coffin will take as it makes its way from Balmoral Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh

Key points in the procession

  • coffin left Balmoral Castle at 10:00 and heads east through Royal Deeside and then through the suburbs of Aberdeen.
  • from Aberdeen the cortege will take the coast road south, past Portlethen and Stonehaven, and then inland through the Angus countryside and past Brechin.
  • when the procession reaches Dundee it will go around the city on the Kingsway, and from there to Perth and across the Friarton Bridge and down the M90 and over the Queensferry Crossing towards Edinburgh.
  • In the capital the procession will enter from the west of the city, skirt by Edinburgh Castle and down the full length of the Royal Mile to the The Palace of Holyroodhouse by about 16:00.
Balmoral to Aberdeen
around dundee
Queensferry crossing to edinbrugh

Laybys and access roads along the route will be temporarily closed. Those wishing to leave flowers have been asked to do so at designated areas along the route and mourners have been asked not to throw flowers at the convoy as it passes.

Pay respects

On Monday, there will be a procession from the palace to St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh where the coffin will rest for 24 hours to allow people to pay their respects.

The following day The Queen's coffin will be transported by road from the cathedral to Edinburgh Airport and then flown to RAF Northolt before going on to Buckingham Palace.

It is expected that King Charles will travel to Edinburgh on Monday.

The procession of The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral is expected to include members of the royal family.

There will be a service in the cathedral and then members of the public will be able to file past the coffin for a 24 hour period.

HM Queen Elizabeth II 640x55

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