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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Katie Williams

How to visit the Queen's coffin in Edinburgh from where to queue to wristbands

The Queen's coffin will be travelling up the Royal Mile on Monday, September 12 to lie in St Giles' Cathedral.

Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her coffin travelled down from the Balmoral estate to Edinburgh's Palace of Holyroodhouse. Today, a procession will take place up the Royal Mile will lie in St Giles for the public to pay their respect.

Thousands flooded to the Royal Mile on Sunday as the coffin made its way to Holyroodhouse, her official residence in Edinburgh, and the City Council has already issued a warning over travel disruption and large crowds for Monday and Tuesday.

READ MORE- Edinburgh City Council issue travel warning ahead of Queen's Procession

If you're planning on paying your respect to Her Majesty, here is all you need to know from timing, security and tickets.

You can keep up to date with the day by following our live blog here.

Where will The Queen be?

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II will be lying at rest in St Giles' Cathedral on the High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RE.

Time of procession start and when you can visit The Queen

The procession is expected to start at 2.30pm where Her Majesty will be taken from Holyroodhouse up the Royal Mile to St Giles. King Charles III and Queen of Consort will also arrive in Edinburgh today with the King taking part in the procession. It is understood a Ceremony of the Keys will then take place at Holyroodhouse.

The coffin and royal cortège will travel up the Royal Mile to St Giles’ Cathedral for a service expected to last about an hour. Edinburgh City Council has warned the public to plan ahead as thousands are expected to gather.

St Giles' Cathedral will then open at 5.30pm to the public so they can pay their respect to The Queen. It will be open overnight and close on 3pm on Tuesday.

Senior members of the Royal Family including the King, are reported to hold continuous vigils at St Giles' from 7.20pm on Monday known as the Vigil of Princes.

Where will queues start for The Queen's coffin in St Giles'?

The Scottish Government said on Twitter that the queue for St Giles’ will start at George Square Lane/North Meadow Walk in the Meadows.

While it is not ticketed, one wristband per person will be issued, and only those with wristbands will be able to enter St Giles’. The queue may close early to ensure as many visitors as possible can enter.

What security will there be?

As well as a wristband required to enter the Cathedral, the Scottish Government has warned that an airport-style security checks will be in place for entering St Giles’ Cathedral at George IV Bridge.

You cannot use your mobile phone when in the Cathedral as filming, photography, use of mobile phones or other handheld devices is prohibited in the security search area or within St Giles Cathedral.

Visitors will be allowed to take in one bag no larger than 40 X 30 X 20 cms and certain items are prohibited. There will be no facility for bag drops in the security area.

Toilets and refreshments

Refreshments can be brought as there will be spots to buy food and drink during the queues, but the public are highly encouraged to bring their own as tens of thousands of people are expected to gather.

The public are also being warned for for changeable weather conditions and toilets will be available and visitors will be able to leave the queue briefly to use the facilities.

Can you take a photo of The Queen's coffin?

Members of the public are not allowed to take a photo of the Queen's coffin in St Giles' as filming and handheld devices such as phones and cameras are prohibited.

The public are being asked to move past the coffin without stopping and making their way to the exit to keep the crowds moving steadily.

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