'I had to come and pay my last respects'

The crowds started building before first light.

On the Royal Mile in Edinburgh local people, visitors to the city and families staked their place, keen for a front row seat to history.

By the time King Charles III and his family began walking behind the procession to St Giles' Cathedral, the sombre crowds were 10-deep.

Above street level, windows were flung open and every possible vantage point was claimed.

People clambered on to walls and railings, straining to get the best view, while others filmed from the windows of their flats overlooking the famous street.

A solemn hush descended as the King, his brothers and sister followed the slow-moving hearse carrying their mother's coffin, save for shouts of "God bless the Queen" and "God save the King".

Others opted to queue for the opportunity to file past the Queen's coffin as it lies at rest in the cathedral.

They waited in the Meadows park for wristbands which would grant them access to pay their last respects.

Holidaymakers Chris and Sue walked for nine miles to take their place on the Royal Mile for the procession.

The couple, from Rossendale, Lancashire, were on holiday near Musselburgh in East Lothian.

Chris joined the Army 45 years ago and was drafted in to help manage the route of the Queen's Jubilee procession in Oxfordshire in 1977.

"We booked our holiday six months ago, before all this happened," he said. "We've just walked nine miles and we just made it in time. We are proud of ourselves and proud of our Queen.

"That was beautiful, very humbling to witness. People were so peaceful, everyone paying their respects. I am so glad we are here."

Sue and her daughter Zoe travelled from Stirling for the procession.

"It was lovely, it was so quiet," said a tearful Sue. "I wasn't sure if people were going to cheer when it passed by but it was really nice and respectful.

"It's sad isn't it? We are watching a family grieving, and it's about respecting that. It's part of history. When it is sombre like that, it is just so moving.

"My dad was in the Army and he got an MBE so he met the Queen. I was brought up respecting the monarchy and I do think about what my dad would think. We did this for him."

Among those waiting outside the cathedral was Linda Greenshields, who claimed her prime position at 07:00.

She travelled from Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, with a flag that her aunt had waved at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953.

"I had to come and pay my last respects," she told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I was just a few days old when the king died and I still have my coronation mug at home.

"It's going to be very emotional, she's just always been there - it's so sad."

Joyce, who lives "just round the corner" from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, sat on a fold-up chair doing a crossword on the Royal Mile.

"Normally everything would be in London so for people here, it has made a big difference and I feel you have got to take part in it," she said.

"I was stood in the West End for hours yesterday waiting for the coffin procession to come through but I wasn't sure whether I could stand for so long again so I've brought a chair today."

"She has given everything for all these years - I feel she gave up so much to do what she did. Her life could have been so different if she wasn't the Queen," she added.

Board games, colouring pads and tablets were in full supply for Keith Knowlton and his four children who had been on the Royal Mile since 07:00.

He told the BBC: "They had school today but I thought it was worthwhile to take them out to witness this historic event.

"Living in Edinburgh for a few years now, we just felt it was important for our children to witness a piece of history.

"I have great respect for the Queen and truly believe, as an American, we have had not a stronger, faithful and more lasting ally than the Queen and I'm so grateful to have the chance to be here."

Australian Jane Sutherland, 77, moved to Scotland in 1968 and now lives in Liberton, on the south side of Edinburgh. She set up a chair on the Royal Mile several hours before the procession was due to begin.

"I was only six or seven but I do remember the last King," she said. "It was a big thing in Australia when he died.

"I saw people being interviewed at St Giles' Cathedral on the BBC at seven or eight o'clock this morning and was umming and aahing whether to come down, but I'm glad I did.

"It is good to be here in amongst people where it is all happening. It is so different. It is history."

She said she "dragged the grandchildren" to the Palace of Holyroodhouse to lay flowers and went to the proclamation announcing the accession of King Charles on Sunday.

"I think the Queen was the most wonderful person and a great example to everyone with her dedication and that smile of hers."

Jen and her eight-year-old son Theo, whose school had a local public holiday on Monday, had travelled from Falkirk to Edinburgh.

They were sat on the pavement on the lower half of the Royal Mile near the Palace of Holyroodhouse, more than three hours before the procession was due to begin.

"It is just part of history," Jen said. "The Queen has always been part of my life. My grandma is a similar age and she has always been there. It's a bit strange.

"I want him [Theo] to have the same relationship with the Royal Family as I did. The Royals were always there and I don't think we should let that die.

"I don't know about anybody else but it makes me feel secure.

"It's strange but there's also a sense of jubilation because I have never known a King. My grandparents have, but it's a new beginning for me."

The front row position along barriers outside St Giles' includes thousands of people who have travelled far and wide to witness this moment in history.

Viola Henkenhaf, 18, booked her trains and accommodation as soon as the Queen's death was announced on Thursday. The teenager has travelled from south-west Germany. She didn't want to miss this opportunity to convey her feelings.

Alice Ferguson travelled to Edinburgh from Helensburgh in Argyll and Bute to pay her respects.

The 68-year-old was in London in 1997 for Princess Diana's funeral and her granddaughter recently danced for the Queen at Windsor Castle.

She said: "We love the Royal Family, we love the Queen and we want to pay our respects.

"I often used to say what will it be like when she is not here and now we have to face that. I think today it will really hit home she is not here - but never to be forgotten."

Alice said the pictures of Princes Harry and William together at Windsor Palace was "very special", adding: "It is so nice they have all come together."