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Queen Elizabeth II's coffin lies in St Giles' Cathedral after procession through Edinburgh

Thousands of people in Edinburgh have lined up to pay their last respects to Queen Elizabeth II, with King Charles III and his siblings holding a silent vigil at the side of their mother's coffin.

With their heads bowed, Charles, wearing a kilt, alongside sister Princess Anne and brothers Princes Andrew and Edward, stood solemnly for 10 minutes next to the oak coffin, draped with the royal flag known as the Royal Standard of Scotland, inside the city's St Giles Cathedral.

The flag was topped with a wreath of white flowers and the Crown of Scotland, historically used for the coronations of monarchs of Scotland.

They left the cathedral to applause from onlookers.

Mourners, some weeping, and others with heads bowed or curtsying, walked slowly past the coffin after having waited patiently for hours to be allowed into the cathedral.

"I had gone to see the Queen so you can imagine my surprise when I saw members of the royal family there," said Frances Thain, 63.

"I was just overwhelmed because there was so much to take in."

Thousands of people are expected to file past the coffin until late into the night, with reports the queue to get into the cathedral is nearly 2 kilometres long.

Earlier crowds lined the street to watch the procession up the Royal Mile to the cathedral.

The skirl of bagpipes was the only sound as kilted soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland bore the coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse and placed it in the hearse.

A gun salute sounded out from a battery on Edinburgh Castle as the hearse began its journey.

King Charles III and his siblings — Anne, Andrew and Edward — walked behind the hearse.

The Royal Company of Archers provided the guard of honour.

While a grieving crowd stood outside the cathedral, the royal family, political leaders and dignitaries attended a service of thanksgiving for the Queen.

People embraced the chance to witness history.

"I just feel so privileged that we can watch this moment," Carol Williams of Dunfermline said.

"We are so lucky that we have this opportunity to pay our respects like this. If she died in London, we would never have had this opportunity."

Earlier on Monday, the King addressed members of the UK parliament at Westminster Hall in London.

He arrived to a fanfare of trumpets with his wife Camilla, Queen Consort.

The royal couple sat on ceremonial chairs, with cavalry troopers in red tunics and plumed helmets standing to attention behind.

He pledged to follow the Queen's example in maintaining its independence.

"While very young, her late majesty pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to maintain the precious principles of constitutional government which lie at the heart of our nation," he said.

"This vow she kept with unsurpassed devotion.

"She set an example of selfless duty which, with God's help and your counsels, I am resolved faithfully to follow."

Reuters/ABC

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