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In Solomon Islands, one of the few remaining countries that still has the British monarch as head of state, three days of mourning have been declared, including a public holiday on Monday 12 September.
#Solomon Islands #PM, #Manasseh_Sogavare declares 3 official mourning days for #QueenElizabeth II from Mon 12th September 2022 through to Wed 14th September 2022. The first day of the Official mourning period, Mon 12th Sept 2022 will be observed as a Public Holiday.
— Melanesian Spearhead Group of Economies (@MEconomies) September 11, 2022
Remembrance around the world
Australian retail and business groups have joined the medical association in raising concerns about disruptions caused by the public holiday to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, made the announcement on Sunday that a “one-off public holiday” would be held on 22 September as a national day of mourning.
There have been suggestions the unscheduled public holiday could cost the economy as much as $1.5b, and that the holiday would create complications for businesses with store closures and staff scheduling challenges.
Whilst I support the public holiday for Australia to mourn the Queen I’m probably one of thousands now fearing my cancer treatment will be cancelled on Sept 22. Treatment is usually planned weeks and months ahead, taking into account public holidays.
— Lucie Morris-Marr (@luciemorrismarr) September 11, 2022
The president of the Australian Medical Association, Prof Steve Robson, said the health system would take a hit because of the extra holiday.
“The short notice that’s been given for this public holiday will have ramifications for patients and of course an already struggling health system,” Robson said. “Hospitals, surgeries, and general practices will have patients booked in for appointments and operations and some patients may have waited months or in some cases years for these appointments or operations.
Read the full story here:
Quite a poignant shot from the archives.
Queen Elizabeth with her mother and Queen Mary at London King’s Cross railway station in February 1952, waiting for the arrival of the special train bringing the coffin of King George VI, the Queen’s father, from Sandringham. His coffin was taken in procession to Westminster Hall, as hers will be, where it lay in state for three days before the funeral.
Updated
More on the travel delays and queues expected during the Queen’s lying in state, which begins at 5pm on Wednesday.
Officials expect queues to see the Queen’s lying in state could last 12 hours and stretch for miles.
The Rail Delivery Group has warned those wanting to travel to Westminster Hall to expect services to London and all of its stations to be “extremely busy”. The rail operator’s customer information director told the BBC people needed to plan carefully and allow plenty of time if planning to travel during the official mourning period.
Transport for London also warned that roads and public transport in central London will be very busy and has advised travellers to allow “plenty of extra time” for their journeys and to avoid driving where possible.
Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner, told the national broadcaster: “We are working with our partners to keep our city moving smoothly and to ensure that everyone who is planning to attend the memorial events can do so safely.”
The Queen's lying in state: what is it and how can I participate?
The Queen will lie in state in London ahead of her funeral. The Press Association has this helpful guide for mourners about what that means and how they can be involved.
What exactly is meant by the term “lying in state”?
Lying in state is usually reserved for sovereigns, current or past queen consorts, and sometimes former prime ministers. During the formal occasion, the closed coffin is placed on view, as thousands of people queue to file past and pay their respects.
When and where will the Queen lie in state?
The late monarch’s lying in state in Westminster Hall opens to the public at 5pm on Wednesday and it will be open 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on Monday September 19 - the day of the Queen’s funeral. Westminster Hall is the oldest building the parliamentary estate, it dates back to 1099 and has been the site of key events, such as the trial of Charles I, coronation banquets, and addresses by world leaders.
What can people expect to see?
The closed coffin will be draped in a royal flag, usually a personal standard, and will rest on a raised platform called a catafalque, flanked by a military guard around the clock. A priceless crown and other regalia are traditionally placed on top of a sovereign’s coffin. Each corner of the platform is watched 24 hours a day by units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, Foot Guards or the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
Will the royal family be there?
It is likely that the Queen’s children or even grandchildren will honour her with a vigil and join the guard over the coffin at some point - a tradition which has been called the Vigil of the Princes. Should the Princess Royal stand guard for the Queen, she will be the first female member of the royal family to do so.
Will there be a queue?
Yes. Government guidance says there will be a queue which is expected to be very long.
People will need to stand for “many hours, possibly overnight” with very little opportunity to sit down as the queue will be continuously moving. As large crowds are expected, there are likely to be road closures and delays on public transport.
Will security be tight?
Visitors will go through airport-style security and there are tight restrictions on what you can take in, with people allowed just one small bag with one simple opening or zip.
Is there anything I need to bring?
Official guidance suggests that people should bring suitable clothing for the weather, food and drinks to have while queueing, a portable power bank for your mobile phone and any essential medication. People are also advised to dress appropriately for the occasion. There is also a list of banned items you cannot bring, which includes flowers or other tribute items, including candles, soft toys, and photographs; banners, flags, hampers, blankets and folding chairs. The Government guidance says people should not film, photograph, use mobile phones or other handheld devices in the security search area or within the Palace of Westminster.
Will there be somewhere to store larger bags?
A bag drop facility is available but capacity is limited, and there is no guarantee that there will be space at the facility. Waiting for bag storage space to become available will increase your queuing time.
Did the Duke of Edinburgh lie in state?
No, he did not, and this was in accordance with his wishes, but his death took place during the Covid-19 crisis and at that point such mass gatherings were also against the law.
Who was the last person to lie in state?
The last person to lie in state in the UK was the Queen Mother in 2002. On top of her coffin in Westminster Hall was her coronation crown, set with the Koh-i-Noor diamond, and a hand-written message from her daughter, the Queen, reading: “In loving memory, Lilibet”. An estimated 200,000 people turned out to pay their respects over three days. It was the first lying in state where members of the public were subjected to a security check, which slowed the movement of the mourners. At their longest, queues stretched across Lambeth Bridge and all the way along the South Bank to Southwark Cathedral, with people being warned to expect a wait of up to 12 hours at peak times. Police were drafted in to deal with the security, large crowds and road closures.
Where does the tradition originate?
The tradition of lying in state stretches back to the 17th century when Stuart sovereigns lay in state for a number of days. Edward VII set the modern tradition of royal lying in state in Westminster Hall. He lay in state in 1910, as did King George V in 1936 and King George VI in 1952. George VI - the Queen’s father - was the last sovereign before Elizabeth II to die.
Who else lay in state in Westminster Hall?
Two prime ministers - William Gladstone in 1898 and Sir Winston Churchill in 1965 - also lay in state at Westminster Hall, attracting hundreds of thousands of people.
In 1930, there was an unusual lying in state in Westminster Hall for the victims of the R101 Airship disaster. The experimental rigid British airship caught fire as it crossed northern France, killing 48 of the 54 people on board.
Updated
Jair Bolsonaro to attend Queen's funeral
Reuters is reporting that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has accepted an invitation to attend the funeral for Queen Elizabeth. In a note to Reuters, the ministry said Bolsonaro will travel to London to attend the queen’s funeral on 19 September.
Updated
Also in Australia, Cait Kelly is reporting on how young people feel about the monarchy.
Young Australians are divided in their support of the monarchy, with some saying the death of Queen Elizabeth II is a tragic reminder of the stability the royals offer, while others see the British monarchy as a symbol of the country’s dark colonial past.
Read the story in full here:
In Australia, the prime minister has hosed down suggestions that a referendum on becoming a republic will take place soon.
Our Australia politics live blog has all the details:
What’s happening on Monday? The Press Association has this summary:
King Charles III and the Queen Consort are to visit Westminster Hall in London where both Houses of Parliament will express condolences to the new monarch.
Later on Monday, Charles and Camilla will fly to Edinburgh where they will attend a Ceremony of the Keys and the King will inspect the guard of honour.
Charles will then lead the royal family in procession as the Queen’s coffin is taken from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to nearby St Giles’ Cathedral for a service of thanksgiving. Members of the public will be able to view the coffin at the cathedral and pay their respects from 5pm for a period of 24 hours.
The King will then hold audiences with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Alison Johnstone, the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.
Later in the evening, the King and other members of the royal family will mount a vigil at the cathedral in honour of their mother.
Around the world, people are mourning the Queen:
Flowers are placed to next to pictures of Britain's Queen Elizabeth outside the British Consulate-General, following queen's death, in Hong Kong Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters
The UK front pages
All of the UK papers led with the same image of the Queen’s coffin, draped in a flag, being carried into the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh.
“The Queen begins her final journey,” said the Guardian across its main image of the pallbearers. However, the paper led on developments in Ukraine as Russia targets power supplies after being left reeling by Ukraine’s gains.
Monday’s GUARDIAN: “Russia launches ‘revenge’ attacks as Ukraine offensive gathers pace” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/GNvui7ZYBq
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 11, 2022
Many of the papers had a similar headline. “Queen’s final journey begins,” said the i paper. The Daily Express led with “Queen’s saddest journey begins”, the Mirror had “The final journey home”, the Telegraph went with “‘Her last great journey’”, the Times had “Her final journey begins,” with a wraparound picture of the pallbearers about to load the coffin into the hearse, and the Sun did the same, under the headline “Queen’s last great journey. The Daily Mail ran “The saddest journey… now the long goodbye”.
Monday’s i - “Queen’s final journey begins” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Qk96KvN17w
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 11, 2022
Monday’s Daily EXPRESS: “Queen’s Saddest Journey Begins” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/IvKQIJCCZS
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 11, 2022
Monday’s Daily MIRROR: “The final journey home” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/vKyWhzixB3
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 11, 2022
Monday’s Daily TELEGRAPH: “ ‘Her last great journey’ “. #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/p199e04ccg
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 11, 2022
Monday’s TIMES: “Her final journey begins” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/xweh1PUGTq
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 11, 2022
Monday’s SUN: “Queen’s last great journey” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/MQMebmoWnO
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 11, 2022
Monday’s Daily MAIL: “The saddest journey … now the long goodbye” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/WXgogc8FeM
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 11, 2022
Updated
The Australian government’s declaration of a national day of mourning and public holiday next Thursday, 22 September, has received a mixed reception in one of the few remaining Commonwealth countries where the British monarch is head of state.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that the one-off holiday would coincide with a thanksgiving service for the late Queen.
But the granting of a day off has upset businesses who say it will cause disruption, and angered people across the country who face having to change arrangements for events such as school graduations and formals (next week is the last week of school for year 12 children before they sit their final school exams in October).
It has also caused a stir in Canberra because parliament – already suspended because of the Queen’s death – will now not sit again until October.
Asked on the ABC on Monday morning about the holiday and the suspension of parliament, Albanese said the government had been following tradition and protocol in calling the holiday.
Tradition, I know, sometimes can be inconvenient. But traditions are important. Traditions and protocols are one of the things that bind us together. And I do think that 22 September can be a moment that brings our nation together.
Updated
Summary
After leaving Balmoral this morning at 10am, the funeral cortege carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II has arrived at her official residence in Edinburgh, Holyroodhouse. On its six-hour journey through Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth the hearse has been accompanied by the Queen’s daughter, the Princess Royal. Princess Anne’s husband, Tim Laurence, has also accompanied them. The Queen’s body will be lain to rest at Holyroodhouse for the evening, where members of the royal household will be able to pay their respects in private. On Monday it will be transferred to St Giles’ Cathedral, where the Scottish public will be able to pay their respects.
US president Joe Biden will attend the Queen‘s funeral along with his wife Jill, the White House has confirmed. It comes amid reports that foreign heads of state will be asked to catch a coach to the service at Westminster Abbey on 19 September. Leaked documents seen by The Guardian say that world leaders will be told to leave their private state vehicles behind and will be escorted in coaches “because of tight security and road restrictions”.
King Charles III met with the Commonwealth general secretary, Patricia Scotland, in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace. Following the meeting, he hosted high commissioners and their spouses, from countries where he is head of state, in the royal residence’s Bow Room, PA reports. On Sunday the new King was given a rapturous applause by the waiting crowds as his black car drove down the Mall to Buckingham Palace and was also cheered by onlookers later in the day when he left the royal residence.
No 10 has clarified that Liz Truss will not be accompanying King Charles on a tour of the nations over the coming days – an announcement that had raised eyebrows. Giving new details, No 10 said her role was only to attend services of reflection in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. “The King is leading national mourning across the UK and the prime minister will join and attend the services,” a No 10 source said. “The PM is not ‘accompanying’ the King and it is not a ‘tour’. She is merely attending the services.”
Proclamation ceremonies to announce King Charles III as the new monarch are taking place throughout the UK, with large events staged at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland and Cardiff Castle in Wales among them. Many local councils and authorities will be hosting ceremonies during the course of the day.
David Cameron has said it was “entirely right” for King Charles to have written to ministers and politicians when he was heir to the throne, lobbying on key issues including bovine tuberculosis and herbal medicines. In an interview with the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Cameron said he never felt Charles – whose “black spider memos” to ministers were released after a 10-year legal battle – had interfered in politics. “I never felt he tried to influence me improperly in any way,” the former prime minister said. “I think the heir to the throne has a perfect right to have interest in issues like the environment, preserving wildlife, his interest in the built environment.”
PA Media reports this from Police Scotland: “A 22-year-old woman was arrested outside St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, on Sunday 11 September 2022 in connection with a breach of the peace.” Photographs earlier showed a woman holding a placard which read “Fuck imperialism. Abolish monarchy.”
The timing of the state funeral for the Queen has been confirmed: it will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September. Before then, the Queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects, the royal family has said.
The Department for Education has confirmed that schools and colleges in England are expected to close for the bank holiday on the day of the funeral. Schools in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are also to close.
Much of the British press on its Sunday front pages focused on the joint walkabout by Prince William and his brother Harry accompanied by their wives at Windsor Castle last night. The four have seldom been seen together since Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced their intention to step away from royal duties.
Updated
Our colleagues Libby Brooks, Mark Brown and Severin Carrell report on the Queen’s final Scottish journey:
The hush had settled on the waiting crowd even before the Queen’s cortege appeared over the rise in the road from Balmoral.
An oblivious toddler chattered into the silence on Ballater main street, where the country’s longest-serving monarch shopped for barbecue sausages at the local butcher.
It was a typically Highland farewell to a woman those lining the village streets considered a treasured neighbour: deeply felt, but understated in its expression.
There was no applause, no spontaneous chorus of anthem or hymn as the coffin passed by sedately, and all eyes were pulled to the east to follow it beyond sight.
Then, as though released from a trance, the bystanders turned to nod to friends and disperse promptly, leaving behind the metal crowd barriers, taking home the weight of their loss.
Read more: ‘We had to be here’: crowds bid farewell to Queen on her final Scottish journey
Mourners face a “less than 10% chance” of waiting in the rain to see the Queen’s coffin.
People in Edinburgh will be able to view the coffin at St Giles’ Cathedral from 5pm on Monday, where it will remain for about 24 hours until it is taken by RAF plane to London.
The thousands expected to file past to see the late monarch’s coffin are likely to escape any rain amid warnings of long waits, forecasters say.
Marco Petagna, a Met Office forecaster, told the PA news agency:
Tomorrow will be quite a cloudy day in Edinburgh with some patchy, light rain, however there’s every sign this will improve by the afternoon.
Later in the day it should become a lot brighter with a reasonable amount of sunshine, temperature-wise staying fair at around 17C, despite a fresher north-westerly breeze, growing cooler overnight.
Tuesday in the Scottish capital should be fine, with a fair amount of sunshine.
Meanwhile, London should be fairly cloudy that day, yet rather warm at 22C, but the evening will be of some concern as thundery showers move in from the south.
From Wednesday and until the funeral there will be a dry and fresher feel, with a fair amount of cloud and cooler winds and a less than 10% chance of rain.
Updated
The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the footage of the Queen’s coffin leaving Balmoral was “incredibly moving”.
“I saw the images of the coffin leaving Balmoral this morning,” PA Media report he said to the media in his north London constituency.
I thought it was incredibly moving to see everybody who could come to the side of the road to pay their respects. It was an incredible, incredible moment. It reflects what the nation is feeling at the moment.
He also welcomed the appearance together of the new Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex with their wives in Windsor on Saturday.
He said:
I think it was very moving to see those images of them together. I think for many, many people across the country at times of uncertainty, they want the reassurance that everybody is pulling together and uniting, whether that’s across the royal family, whether it’s across politics.
So I thought it was an incredible moment and I think a lot of people will have smiled when they saw those images.
Our colleagues Jessica Elgot and Pippa Crerar have the latest on the arrangements for world leaders attending the Queen’s funeral:
Foreign heads of state arriving for the Queen’s funeral must travel by bus en masse to Westminster Abbey, rather than using private cars, according to newly issued government guidance.
The documents, seen by the Guardian, set out strict rules for the dozens of international presidents, kings, queens and prime ministers expected to attend the funeral, urging them to travel by commercial flights to avoid swamping London’s airports.
The instructions lay bare the logistical challenge of accommodating the sheer number of overseas dignitaries who will be arriving in London over next weekend – and will pose a dilemma for Joe Biden, who is likely to require a significant amount of additional security. The US president has confirmed he will attend the funeral in person.
Read more: Foreign dignitaries must share buses to travel to the Queen’s funeral
MPs, peers and parliamentary staff attended St Margaret’s Church in Westminster on Sunday evening for a special evensong service to mark the death of the Queen, reports PA.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lord Speaker Lord McFall of Alcluith read the lessons and the sermon was delivered by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr David Hoyle.
Among the MPs present were the Father of the House, Sir Peter Bottomley, and the Attorney General, Michael Ellis.
On Monday, the King and Queen Consort will attend the Palace of Westminster to receive addresses from both Speakers before Charles then responds.
Nesrine Malik writes for us today that along with the Queen, Britain is laying to rest a sacred national image that never was:
The more the change in the country’s culture, class structure and economic profile demanded these confrontations with reality, the more the Queen became a refuge. A representation of a fictional time when things were simpler: when it was Shakespeare; Enid Blyton; the spirit of the blitz; standing alone against fascism; beneficent toffs; a cheeky working class; the welfare state; the swinging 60s; and friendly black and brown faces cleaning the floors and manning the wards. As long as the Queen existed, so did that country.
The reality is that, along with the noble empire, that country never really did exist. And over the Queen’s reign, the nation’s view of itself also became questioned every time its politics spat out a new disfranchised people. Every time a mine was closed, a deprived area rioted against the police, a foreign country was illegally invaded, a benefit was slashed, the “great” country’s narrative was tested. But these challenges never stuck. And having the Queen was always such a comfort, with her smile, her clothes, her brooches and her ritual all frozen in amber, not getting drawn into any of it.
Read more of Nesrine Malik’s column here: Along with the Queen, Britain is laying to rest a sacred national image that never was
US president Biden confirms he will attend Queen's funeral
US president Joe Biden will attend the Queen‘s funeral along with his wife Jill, the White House has confirmed.
It comes amid reports that foreign heads of state will be asked to catch a coach to the service at Westminster Abbey on September 19.
Leaked documents seen by Politico say that world leaders will be told to leave their private state vehicles behind and will be escorted in coaches “because of tight security and road restrictions”.
Politico also reported that due to limited space within the historic building that only heads of state and their spouses or partners will be invited to the event.
According to the document, world leaders have also been told to travel on commercial flights and have been told they cannot use helicopters to travel around the UK.
Earlier on Sunday, Biden remembered the words of comfort that the late monarch had provided to the United States following the September 11 attacks more than two decades ago, PA reports.
“Grief is the price we pay for love,” said Biden, quoting part of the Queen‘s message to America during remarks on the 21st anniversary of the attacks.
Updated
The Royal Family has set up an online book of condolence so that members of the public can leave a tribute to the Queen.
An online book of condolence is available on our website where you can send a tribute to Her Majesty The Queen:
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 11, 2022
Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has said now is not the time for change but rather to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after her death on Thursday.
Albanese had started to lay the groundwork for an Australian republic after elections in May.
The BBC’s popular and long-running radio drama The Archers has recognised the Queen’s death with a specially recorded scene broadcast on Sunday, PA reports.
Two of the serial’s most enduring characters, Lynda Snell and Lilian Bellamy, shared their memories of the Coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953.
Lynda, played by Carole Boyd, said:-
When you think of our lives since then, and everything that’s happened to us, the Queen has always been there - she’s just always been there.”
The two characters were also heard commenting on a book of condolence that had been opened inside the church in Ambridge, the fictional West Midlands village where The Archers is set.
The serial, which has been on the airwaves since 1951, has twice featured guest appearances by members of the royal family.
Most recently, in February 2011, the new Queen Consort, Camilla, visited Ambridge in her role as president of the National Osteoporosis Society.
Updated
This selection of pictures from the newswires show how the country has been paying its own tribute to the Queen while the period of national mourning continues.
Updated
Our colleague Mark Brown reports for us from Edinburgh:
There were loud cheers, whoops and generous applause as the Queen’s cortege made its way down the cobblestoned Royal Mile in Edinburgh, watched by tens of thousands of people.
It capped a day in which the new King was proclaimed in Scotland, an event that brought a rare expression of dissent as a group of republicans loudly booed during some parts of the ceremony.
The cortege arrived in Edinburgh after its six-hour 180-mile journey from Balmoral.
Read more: Applause, affection and dissent: Edinburgh greets Queen’s cortege and proclamation of new king
The day was a curious mix of formal mourning, and the silent crowds watching the progress of Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin through Scotland, with the joy on display at some of the events marking the formal proclamation of her son as King Charles III.
Labour MP Florence Eshalomi has posted this clip of a steel band at the Lambeth proclamation ceremony in Windrush Square, Brixton.
“When my heart is overwhelmed,
— Florence Eshalomi MP (@FloEshalomi) September 11, 2022
Lead me to the Rock,
That is higher than I..
That is higher than I”
Beautiful steel pans by The Southside Steel Orchestra at the Lambeth proclamation ceremony for King Charles III this afternoon at Windrush Square, Brixton pic.twitter.com/1hoqdHBAnI
Updated
Hotels in London have recorded an increase in bookings ahead of the Queen lying in state and her funeral, PA reports.
Travelodge, which has nearly 80 hotels in the city, confirmed that it had seen an increase in demand for rooms.
A spokesperson said:
As one of London’s largest hotel chains, we are seeing a surge in London bookings from all corners of the UK.
“Our teams across our 78 London-based Travelodge hotels are working around the clock and gearing up for a busy period in the lead up to the Queen’s state funeral.
It is not only large chains which have been affected, as smaller establishments in London have also noticed a difference.
A staff member from the Bridge Hotel in Southwark, which is less than half an hour’s walk from Westminster Hall, said:
We have been getting busier since they announced the dates.
We will have more people here next week.
Updated
The latest pictures from the newswires as the country continues to pay tribute to the Queen during a period of national mourning.
Updated
Our colleague Caroline Davies reports:
As Queen Elizabeth II left her beloved Balmoral for a final time, thousands of well-wishers greeted the new King as he arrived at Buckingham Palace.
Crowds lined the Mall cheering and waving as the King was driven in his State Rolls Royce from Clarence House through the gates of the palace, with the Queen Consort arriving shortly afterwards.
Proclamations declaring the reign of King Charles III, first proclaimed at St James’s Palace on Saturday, were read out aloud at ceremonies in Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast and across the realms.
Read more: King Charles III juggles pomp and sorrow as UK takes first glimpses
Thousands of people crowded along the Royal Mile on Sunday afternoon to pay tribute to the Queen as she made her way to Holyroodhouse.
Ukrainian refugee Daria Oskolkova said she turned out to see “the Queen off on her final journey”.
The 38-year-old who lives in Glasgow, told PA Media:
It was very emotional to be here.
Adriana Vraghici, from Edinburgh, described the event as a “monumental day”.
The Queen has been part of our lives for so long, it’s just nice to be so close, seeing the coffin, because she has been such an important part of our lives.
Updated
Our colleague Sophie Zeldin-O’Neill has the latest on what will happen to the Queen’s beloved corgis:
Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will look after the Queen’s corgis following her death, it has been confirmed.
A spokesperson for the Duke of York said he and Sarah, Duchess of York, will take on Muick and Sandy – two dogs the late monarch received as gifts from her son.
In 2021, during lockdown, Prince Andrew gifted his mother, Queen Elizabeth, Muick, a corgi, and Fergus, a dorgi. When Fergus died in May 2021, in the aftermath of Prince Philip’s death, he was replaced with another corgi, Sandy – a gift from Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie for her official 95th birthday.
Read more: Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson to care for the Queen’s corgis
Updated
The Queen’s coffin travelled from Balmoral to Edinburgh on Sunday as King Charles III was proclaimed throughout the UK.
Thousands lined to the route of royal cortege as it passed through the Highlands to say their goodbyes.
The Queen’s coffin will make its way back to London for the funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September.
King Charles III cheered by crowds as he leaves Buckingham Palace
The new King left Buckingham Palace on Sunday afternoon and was met with cheers from the crowd after he took part in a series of meetings at the royal residence.
He could be seen waving to people lining the street as the convoy travelled up the Mall, PA reports.
As we reported earlier, Charles met with the Commonwealth general secretary, Patricia Scotland, in the 1844 Room.
Following the meeting, he hosted high commissioners and their spouses, from countries where he is head of state, in the royal residence’s Bow Room.
Updated
The atmosphere by Buckingham Palace and the Mall in central London has grown increasingly upbeat and celebratory throughout the day, PA reports.
Chatter and laughter can be heard rippling through the crowds lining the road as they wait for a glimpse of the King, who is expected to leave the palace shortly after a day of meetings.
People have been cheering at every vehicle or group of people who travel along the road.
The crowds erupted into applause and shouted “Wooo” as trucks carrying Portaloos drove along the roads in front of them.
They also cheered when dozens of people wearing black suits, thought to be Army personnel, were led through the palace gates.
Women riding as well as leading a group of brown horses also prompted waves of noise from the crowds.
In a ceremony held on parliament’s grounds, New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, and the governor general, Cindy Kiro, proclaimed Charles III king.
Ardern expressed her gratitude to Queen Elizabeth II for her service to New Zealand and her affection, a sentiment she said was shared by the King.
“This relationship is deeply valued by our people. I have no doubt it will deepen,” the prime minister said.
Members of the public hoping to pay their respects to the late Queen by leaving flowers at Buckingham Palace are instead forming impromptu memorials in nearby parks after struggling to make it through huge crowds.
Flowers are being left around trees and gates in Green Park and St James’s Park by people who had queued for nearly two hours to reach the Palace but had not come within 100 metres of the the Palace.
King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, drove through the crowds on Sunday to huge cheers and a rendition of “God Save The King”. He is expected to meet with representatives of the Commonwealth in Buckingham Palace.
The crowd stretched the length of the Mall, and many parents had brought their children to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Sophie Hammond, 42, from Chelmsford, Essex, was one of many people who did not make it through to the palace, and so left flowers at a nearby tree. “I brought my six- and eight-year-old with me and we carried flowers from our garden on the train. But there are just so many people and no facilities. So we queued for more than an hour and a half but have now given up. We left our flowers over there,” she said, pointing to a lime tree surrounded by more than 50 bunches of flowers.
People attempting to make it to the palace via Green Park underground station were warned by stewards that there would be a “long wait” to get on to the Mall.
“We have to let people out of the Mall first before getting a new group of people on to it,” a steward said.
Police are not releasing estimates of the numbers of people who have come to Buckingham Palace.
But a senior Met officer said that policing the run up to the funeral will be “hugely complex operation”.
Deputy assistant commissioner Stuart Cundy said hundred of extra officers had been called in to help as thousands of people are expected to pay their respects to the Queen.
She will lie in state in Westminster from Wednesday before a state funeral a week on Monday.
“Our policing operation is hugely complex with a huge amount of detail within it as you can well imagine.
“We know that not just the eyes of the UK but the eyes of the world will be on London,” Cundy said.
Updated
King Charles III has met with the Commonwealth general secretary, Patricia Scotland, in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace.
Following the meeting, he hosted high commissioners and their spouses, from countries where he is head of state, in the royal residence’s Bow Room, PA reports.
Earlier today the new King was given a rapturous applause by the waiting crowds as his black car drove down the Mall to Buckingham Palace.
Updated
Summary of the day so far...
After leaving Balmoral this morning at 10am, the funeral cortege carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II has arrived at her official residence in Edinburgh, Holyroodhouse. On its six hour journey through Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth the hearse has been accompanied by the Queen’s daughter, the Princess Royal. Princess Anne’s husband, Tim Laurence, has also accompanied them. The Queen’s body will now rest at Holyroodhouse for the evening, where members of the royal household will be able to pay their respects in private. On Monday it will be transferred to St Giles’ Cathedral, where the Scottish public will be able to pay their respects.
No 10 has clarified that Liz Truss will not be accompanying King Charles on a tour of the nations over the coming days – an announcement that had raised eyebrows. Giving new details, No 10 said her role was only to attend services of reflection in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. “The King is leading national mourning across the UK and the prime minister will join and attend the services,” a No 10 source said. “The PM is not ‘accompanying’ the King and it is not a ‘tour’. She is merely attending the services.”
Proclamation ceremonies to announce King Charles III as the new monarch are taking place throughout the UK, with large events staged at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland and Cardiff Castle in Wales among them. Many local councils and authorities will be hosting ceremonies during the course of the day.
David Cameron has said it was “entirely right” for King Charles to have written to ministers and politicians when he was heir to the throne, lobbying on key issues including bovine tuberculosis and herbal medicines. In an interview with the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Cameron said he never felt Charles – whose “black spider memos” to ministers were released after a 10-year legal battle – had interfered in politics. “I never felt he tried to influence me improperly in any way,” the former prime minister said. “I think the heir to the throne has a perfect right to have interest in issues like the environment, preserving wildlife, his interest in the built environment.”
PA Media reports this from Police Scotland: “A 22-year-old woman was arrested outside St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, on Sunday 11 September 2022 in connection with a breach of the peace.” Photographs earlier showed a woman holding a placard which read “Fuck imperialism. Abolish monarchy.”
The timing of the state funeral for the Queen has been confirmed: it will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September. Before then, the Queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects, the royal family has said.
The Department for Education has confirmed that schools and colleges in England are expected to close for the bank holiday on the day of the funeral. Schools in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are also to close.
Much of the British press on its Sunday front pages focused on the joint walkabout by Prince William and his brother Harry accompanied by their wives at Windsor Castle last night. The four have seldom been seen together since Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced their intention to step away from royal duties.
These are some more of the pictures as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was delivered through Edinburgh to Holyroodhouse this afternoon, on what the new King Charles III has described as his mother’s last great journey.
Andrew, Duke of York, as well as Edward, Earl of Wessex and his wife were also in attendance and waiting to greet the cortege at Holyroodhouse.
That is it from me, Martin Belam, for today. I am now handing our live coverage over to Joe Middleton.
Here is an image of the hearse as it proceeded down Edinburgh’s royal mile before reaching its destination for today.
The Queen’s daughter, Anne, Princess Royal, stood by the gateway as her mother’s coffin was carried in, and has now followed into Holyroodhouse.
Updated
At Holyroodhouse the hearse has been greeted by a guard of honour. There is no band playing or any kind of fanfare. The Queen’s coffin has been carried in silence into the place, which was her official residence in Scotland.
The Edinburgh streets approaching it were lined with people who watched the procession in a hushed silence, broken by occasional outbreaks of applause.
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin arrives at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh
After leaving Balmoral this morning at 10am, the funeral cortege carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II has arrived at her official residence in Edinburgh, Holyroodhouse.
On its six hour journey through Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth the hearse has been accompanied by the Queen’s daughter, the Princess Royal. Princess Anne’s husband, Tim Laurence, has also accompanied them.
The Queen’s body will now rest at Holyroodhouse for the evening, where members of the royal household will be able to pay their respects in private. On Monday it will be transferred to St Giles’ Cathedral, where the Scottish public will be able to pay their respects.
The cortege has now passed the Mercat Cross where the Queen’s own proclamation was made in 1952, and where today her son was proclaimed the new King to the people of Scotland. There is some cheering and applause as the hearse makes its progress.
The Queen’s coffin is now proceeding down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. There is a large crowd, and a hushed silence has given way to gentle applause.
The cortege is close enough to its destination now that long helicopter shots of the hearse can show the royal procession and Edinburgh’s famous landmark of the castle in the same image.
The Queen’s hearse is approaching central Edinburgh now, but you can get a sense here in these images of the number of people who turned out to watch the Queen’s funeral cortege as it journeyed along the M90.
Here is an image of the Queen’s cortege crossing the Firth of Forth.
The streets of Edinburgh are lined with people along the route as the cortege nears the outskirts of Scotland’s capital.
The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has said Queen Elizabeth II showed her “personal commitment” to Wales by going against advice from a UK Home Office official and opening the first Welsh assembly in 1999.
At a special Sunday sitting of the Senedd – the Welsh parliament – convened so that members can pay tribute, Drakeford said it had been the Queen’s own decision to open the assembly.
“She did that ignoring the advice provided to her,” said Drakeford. The Queen’s final visit to what has now morphed into the Welsh parliament was in October last year. Drakeford said: “She returned here for the final time over 20 years later in accordance with that personal commitment to Wales and its democratic institutions.”
The Home Office official had said: “We do not think that the same treatment would be appropriate for the Welsh assembly, which has no primary legislative functions.”
Drakeford also spoke of the platinum jubilee gift from the people of Wales given to the Queen this year – a sapling cloned from the mighty Pontfadog Oak, which fell in a storm in 2013 after standing for an estimated 1,200 years. And he quoted the Welsh proverb: “Losing a father, you lose advice, losing a mother you lose your anchor.”
The Plaid Cymru leader, Adam Price, said the Queen had lived, on one level, a “fairytale life” of palaces, yachts and gold carriages. “And yet for countless millions, there was a sense of mutual connection, almost a personal relationship.”
Like Drakeford, Price conjured the image of the Pontfadog Oak – and he quoted from Seamus Heaney’s poem Clearances.
The space we stood around had been emptied
Into us to keep, it penetrated
Clearances that suddenly stood open.
High cries were felled and a pure change happened.
Price continued: “For some this will be a moment of great anxiety. But perhaps as Queen Elizabeth begins her final journey and we consider what the future holds, we can follow the Queen’s own injunction in that great Dublin speech [in 2011]: ‘To bow to the past but not be bound by it.’”
Updated
The funeral cortege of the Queen has just passed over the Firth of Forth on the Queensferry Crossing as it approaches Edinburgh.
Woman arrested for protesting before accession proclamation in Edinburgh
PA Media reports this from Police Scotland: “A 22-year-old woman was arrested outside St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, on Sunday 11 September 2022 in connection with a breach of the peace.”
Photographs earlier showed a woman holding a placard which read “Fuck imperialism. Abolish monarchy.”
Another protester was pictured at the event holding up a sign that said “Republic now”.
Updated
Jessica Elgot, the Guardian’s chief political correspondent, has explained about what we can expect when King Charles III addresses the Commons and the Lords:
King Charles III will address both houses for the first time as sovereign on Monday, receiving addresses from the speakers of both houses.
As part of the official mourning period, King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will arrive at the Palace of Westminster to receive addresses from both houses of parliament on the death of the Queen. The ceremony will take place at 10.30am on Monday.
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and the Lords Speaker, Lord John McFall of Alcluith, will give an address on behalf of MPs and peers. Charles will then give a reply to the address.
Read more of the detail here: What to expect when King Charles III addresses Commons and Lords
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New Prince of Wales speaks to first minister Mark Drakeford, pledges to serve Welsh people with 'humility'
Kensington Palace issued a statement earlier to say that the new Prince of Wales, Prince William, has spoken to the first minister, Mark Drakeford, by phone. The statement said:
HRH thanked the First Minister for his fitting tribute, on behalf of the people of Wales, to Her Majesty The Queen.
HRH expressed his and The Princess of Wales’s honour in being asked by His Majesty The King to serve the Welsh people. They will do so with humility and great respect.
The Prince acknowledged his and the Princess’s deep affection for Wales, having made their first family home in Anglesey including during the earliest months of Prince George’s life.
The Prince and Princess will spend the months and years ahead deepening their relationship with communities across Wales. They want to do their part to support the aspirations of the Welsh people and to shine a spotlight on both the challenges and opportunities in front of them.
The Prince and Princess look forward to celebrating Wales’s proud history and traditions as well as a future that is full of promise. They will seek to live up to the proud contribution that members of the Royal family have made in years past.
TRHs look forward to travelling to Wales very soon, and to meeting the First Minister and other leaders at the earliest opportunity.
The title of Prince of Wales is seen as controversial by some in the country, having been granted by King Edward I of England to his son in 1301 after the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in battle against the English in 1282.
In recent days, social media comments by the actor Michael Sheen have been repeatedly reshared. Speaking about the impending changes to the makeup of the royal family in 2020, the actor said it was an opportunity to “put some things that have been wrongs of the past right”.
He said: “There’s an opportunity to do that at that point. Don’t necessarily just because of habit and without thinking just carry on that tradition that was started as a humiliation to our country. That’s what it was. It was a humiliation.”
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Andrew Stephenson, the MP for Pendle, has posted an image of what the crowd looked like on the steps of the Harris Museum in Preston for the civic proclamation of King Charles III.
Wonderful that so many turned out to witness the occasion… pic.twitter.com/1PnQTDWlJq
— Rt Hon Andrew Stephenson MP (@Andrew4Pendle) September 11, 2022
Writing that it was “wonderful that so many turned out to witness the occasion”, he described it as “a sombre moment as we reflected on the service of Elizabeth the Great.”
Updated
PA Media reports that there was tentative applause as the Queen’s hearse passed hundreds of people gathered on a roundabout on the A90 outside Dundee.
Gillian Nicholl, from St Andrews, who had come with her children Romy, 22, and Freya, 15, told reporters: “It went very still and it was very atmospheric. I have never seen such a large crowd go so quiet. It was very sombre, there was a wee clap but it didn’t feel right.”
Freya said: “She was the last Queen we will see in our lifetime so this was definitely history-making and it was nice to be there”. Next in line to the throne after King Charles III will be Prince William, followed by his son Prince George.
Margaret Macphail, from Berryhill, wept as she thought about what she had seen. She said: “I didn’t expect to be as moved as that. I’m glad I came.”
Her friend Elizabeth Russell, from Invergowrie, added: “It was lovely to be here and it was so nice that so many people came out.”
Nesrine Malik writes for us today that along with the Queen, Britain is laying to rest a sacred national image that never was:
[T]he more the change in the country’s culture, class structure and economic profile demanded these confrontations with reality, the more the Queen became a refuge. A representation of a fictional time when things were simpler: when it was Shakespeare; Enid Blyton; the spirit of the blitz; standing alone against fascism; beneficent toffs; a cheeky working class; the welfare state; the swinging 60s; and friendly black and brown faces cleaning the floors and manning the wards. As long as the Queen existed, so did that country.
The reality is that, along with the noble empire, that country never really did exist. And over the Queen’s reign, the nation’s view of itself also became questioned every time its politics spat out a new disfranchised people. Every time a mine was closed, a deprived area rioted against the police, a foreign country was illegally invaded, a benefit was slashed, the “great” country’s narrative was tested. But these challenges never stuck. And having the Queen was always such a comfort, with her smile, her clothes, her brooches and her ritual all frozen in amber, not getting drawn into any of it.
Read more of Nesrine Malik’s column here: Along with the Queen, Britain is laying to rest a sacred national image that never was
Waltham Forest is among the boroughs of London to have held a local proclamation of the new King today.
The Mayor of Waltham Forest proclaims the accession of King Charles III to the people of Waltham Forest pic.twitter.com/9Gs6C2iZQh
— Cann Hall Councillor (@CannHallCllr) September 11, 2022
The hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II continues its journey in Scotland as it heads from Dundee towards Edinburgh.
Chesterfield will be holding its civic proclamation at 3pm, and local MP Toby Perkins says that crowds there are building.
Crowds building for the proclamation reading in Chesterfield at 3pm pic.twitter.com/SEoIKqXMZd
— Toby Perkins MP (@tobyperkinsmp) September 11, 2022
Portsmouth has already held its ceremony, which was attended by Labour’s MP for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan.
While Portsmouth continues to mourn the loss of our nation’s longest-reigning sovereign, today our city looked to the future with the proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III pic.twitter.com/zB1dKYC3AG
— Stephen Morgan MP (@StephenMorganMP) September 11, 2022
Here are some more images from the proclamation ceremonies that are taking place throughout the UK today to announce the new King, Charles III, to the people.
Updated
My colleague Caroline Davies reports on yesterday’s joint appearance by Princes William and Harry and their wives at Windsor Castle:
As crowds outside Windsor Castle on Saturday gasped at the surprise sight of the new Prince and Princess of Wales emerging from their car accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, any fears that family divisions would mar the Queen’s final farewell were immediately dispelled.
As the four viewed the mountain of flowers outside the castle, their body language was almost identical. The brothers stood solemnly, heads bowed; the wives, hands placed on their husbands’ backs in a show of gentle support.
They walked in silence, Harry keeping Meghan’s hand in his for much of the time. There may not have been much conversation between the couples, but this was a moment for silent contemplation, not chitchat. And when it came to thanking and shaking the hands of the well-wishers gathered, logistics kept them apart, with the Waleses working one side and the Sussexes working the other.
But taken together with the King’s warm words in his first address to the nation, when he expressed “my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas”, the significance of this very public gesture should not be underestimated. And it was needed.
Read more of Caroline Davies’ report here: William, Kate, Harry and Meghan put Firm above their differences
Updated
Anas Sarwar, the leader of the Scottish Labour party, has been interviewed on Sky News, where he described Queen Elizabeth II as “the greatest public servant this country has ever seen”.
He told viewers that the sight of people lining the streets was “a perfect illustration of not just how much the Queen loved Scotland, but how much Scotland loved her back.”
He said “She was a constant in so many of our lives. And you know, as this topic divides all the time, but actually she was the great unifier of our nation. And I think you can see that love from right across the political spectrum, from right across the communities across Scotland, paying tribute to this remarkable remarkable woman.”
Updated
Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral cortege left Balmoral at 10 this morning, and thousands have lined the streets to pay their last respects to the monarch.
It has passed through Aberdeen, and is expected to arrive in Edinburgh later this afternoon. The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, will be among Scottish party leaders who will watch the procession when it goes past Scotland’s parliament.
The procession is about to reach Dundee as it travels on the A90 towards Scotland’s capital city.
Once the coffin arrives in Edinburgh, it will remain at Holyroodhouse Palace, the monarchy’s official residence in Scotland for the night, before lying at rest on Monday at St Giles’ Cathedral.
Updated
Robbie Moore, the Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley in West Yorkshire, has described as “very moving” and an “incredible illustration of pure respect” pictures that have emerged of farmers in Scotland forming a guard of honour for the Queen’s funeral cortege with their tractors.
Very moving. Incredible illustration of pure respect.
— Robbie Moore MP (@_RobbieMoore) September 11, 2022
Farmers have formed a guard of honour with their tractors for the late Queen as she passes through Aberdeenshire on her way to Edinburgh.
pic.twitter.com/D5eMrDPIQn
Updated
The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, delivered a sermon at Canterbury Cathedral on Sunday morning acknowledging that many people will be “navigating their way around the raw and ragged edges of grief” after the death of the monarch.
PA Media reports that at the start of the service, which began about an hour after the Queen’s coffin left Balmoral and set off for Edinburgh, he said it was an “unexpectedly extraordinary Sunday”.
He said: “Many families, as well, will have lost loved ones or been reminded of the loss of loved ones this week. Their grief may well feel all the more painful during this time of national and international mourning, for loss is overwhelming to the person bereaved.”
Welby referenced the Queen choosing to “extend the hand of friendship to Martin McGuinness despite their differences and painful history”.
Concluding his sermon, the archbishop said: “This is a moment of deep grief, indeed. As Her Majesty said herself, grief is the price we pay for love.”
The quote, “grief is the price we pay for love” references a phrase used by the Queen in her message to the people of the US after the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001, an event that is being commemorated today.
Updated
Hundreds of people watched as MPs and dignitaries gathered for King Charles III’s proclamation ceremony in Manchester’s St Peter’s Square on Sunday.
Those in attendance included the bishop of Manchester, David Walker, and the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. The lord mayor of Manchester, Donna Ludford, and the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Diane Hawkins, addressed the crowd, and then the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Lorraine Worsley-Carter, read the proclamation, ending it with the words “God save the King”.
They finished by playing the national anthem and calling on those assembled to give three cheers for His Majesty the King.
Updated
MPs and local authorities continue to publish pictures of civic proclamation ceremonies that are taking place throughout the UK today.
At the Eye of York for the Proclamation of King Charles III. The Eye of York, the meeting of the Ridings, has been resurrected as the constitutional heart of North Yorkshire today. pic.twitter.com/3F7kGQailO
— 💙Rachael Maskell MP (@RachaelMaskell) September 11, 2022
Crowds and dignitaries gather outside County Hall in Chelmsford for the proclamation of King Charles III pic.twitter.com/PtaxlwtkZh
— Essex County Council (@Essex_CC) September 11, 2022
Decent crowd outside @dudleymbc Council House got the local civic proclamation of #KingCharlesIII 👑
— Steve Hermon (@SteveHermon) September 11, 2022
Council leader Patrick Harley, #Dudley North MP @marcolonghi4dn & Dudley South MP @mikejwood among those in attendance on the steps. pic.twitter.com/WMFg2fRBNV
King Charles III greeted by crowds as he arrives at Buckingham Palace
The new King has arrived at Buckingham Palace, where he will meet with Commonwealth general secretary, Patricia Scotland.
Crowds that had already lined the roads cheered and waved as his black car drove down The Mall and through the palace gates accompanied by a motorcade of four cars and four police motorbikes. The King could be seen waving to people through the car windows.
He will also meet the high commissioners of countries where he has become the new head of state – including that of Antigua and Barbuda, whose prime minister has said that after the Queen’s death he will call for a referendum on the country becoming a republic within three years
Updated
‘Entirely right’ for Charles to have lobbied ministers, says David Cameron
David Cameron has said it was “entirely right” for King Charles to have written to ministers and politicians when he was heir to the throne, lobbying on key issues including bovine tuberculosis and herbal medicines.
In an interview with the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Cameron said he never felt Charles – whose “black spider memos” to ministers were released after a 10-year legal battle – had interfered in politics.
“I never felt he tried to influence me improperly in any way,” the former prime minister said. “I think the heir to the throne has a perfect right to have interest in issues like the environment, preserving wildlife, his interest in the built environment.”
In memos between Charles and senior government ministers sent in 2004 and 2005 and released in 2015, Charles argued on issues including the design of new hospitals and on a European Union directive limiting the use of herbal alternative medicines.
Read more of Jessica Elgot’s report here: ‘Entirely right’ for Charles to have lobbied ministers, says David Cameron
Streets in Edinburgh were lined this morning as people awaited both the proclamation of King Charles III to the Scottish people, which took place at Mercat Cross, and for the expected arrival later today of the Queen’s funeral cortege.
Updated
The Labour MP Karl Turner is one of many MPs who are attending local proclamation ceremonies throughout the UK today. He has posted pictures to social media of the ceremony at Hull City Hall earlier.
I was pleased to attend the local proclamation of King Charles III in Hull today at Hull City Hall. pic.twitter.com/sSYX48BIZk
— Karl Turner MP (@KarlTurnerMP) September 11, 2022
Updated
Downing St clarifies new PM Liz Truss will not be 'accompanying' King Charles III on UK tour
No 10 has clarified that Liz Truss will not be accompanying King Charles on a tour of the nations over the coming days – an announcement that had raised eyebrows.
Giving new details, No 10 said her role was only to attend services of reflection in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
“The King is leading national mourning across the UK and the prime minister will join and attend the services,” a No 10 source said. “The PM is not ‘accompanying’ the King and it is not a ‘tour’. She is merely attending the services.”
Over the weekend, newspapers had reported that the pair would “tour the UK” and Truss’s spokesperson had stressed that her presence was “not a requirement” but that she felt it was important to be present in order to offer support. The Telegraph said the mini tour called Operation Spring Tide would see them greet members of the public.
The first ministers of Scotland and Wales Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford, as well Northern Ireland’s first minister designate, Michelle O’Neill, will attend the memorial events in their respective capitals.
Updated
From Wales, our correspondent Steven Morris has sent two images of the proclamation event at Cardiff Castle – one rather more formal than the other. The first is a picture of the proclamation of the new king as it was read in Welsh and in English.
The proclamation - in Welsh and English. pic.twitter.com/uOtYTJsJb4
— steven morris (@stevenmorris20) September 11, 2022
The second image shows one of the participants in the ceremony – the regimental goat named Shenkin.
Regimental goat a hit at the ceremonials in Cardiff. pic.twitter.com/FWTC0zKOry
— steven morris (@stevenmorris20) September 11, 2022
Updated
King Charles III proclaimed in Northern Ireland
The new British monarch, King Charles III, has been proclaimed to the people of Northern Ireland at a ceremony taking place in the official royal residence there, Hillsborough Castle in County Down.
PA Media reports that the event took place in heavy rain. The bugler sounded a royal salute after the last round of the 21-gun salute was fired and the military band then played one verse of God Save the King. The crowd were invited to say three cheers for Charles III.
Prior to the proclamation being read out, a 40-second fanfare was sounded by a bugler. A bell in the clock tower of the Court House at Hillsborough Castle gave a single chime on the stroke of noon to signal the start.
Guests at the event included the Northern Ireland secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, and the Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker. The DUP leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the Alliance party leader, Naomi Long, and the Ulster Unionist leader, Doug Beattie, were also present.
Earlier today, the Sinn Féin president, Mary Lou McDonald, said the party would not be taking part in any accession proclamation ceremonies, though in recognition of what she said was “the very positive role the Queen played in advancing peace and reconciliation between our two islands … Sinn Féin will attend a number of events during the 10 days of mourning.”
Updated
There has been a small protest at the Edinburgh proclamation, as well as the one reported earlier in Cardiff. (See 12.07pm.)
An anti-monarchy protester appeared at the Mercat Cross moments before the proclamation holding a sign saying “Fuck imperialism, abolish the monarchy”.
PA Media reports that police appeared and then took her away moments later, and some of the crowd began to applaud. One man shouted: “Let her go! It’s free speech!” while others shouted “have some respect”.
Updated
King Charles III proclaimed in Scotland
The Lord Lyon King of Arms has read the proclamation of the new king to the people of Scotland at Mercat Cross in Edinburgh after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
A second proclamation will also be made at Edinburgh Castle.
Updated
Queen's funeral cortege arrives in Aberdeen en route to Edinburgh
The funeral cortege of Queen Elizabeth II has arrived in the Scottish city of Aberdeen as part of its journey from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh. The cortege will pass the King George VI bridge, which was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1941.
It will journey on next to Stonehaven, Angus and then Perth, and then across the Queensferry crossing to Edinburgh. Some members of the royal family have already arrived at Holyrood in anticipation of the hearse’s arrival.
Updated
Small protest outside Cardiff Castle as King Charles III proclaimed in Wales
Steven Morris reports for the Guardian from Cardiff:
About 2,000 members of the public crowded into the grounds of Cardiff Castle to bear witness to the reading of the proclamation. People began queuing three hours before the gates opened to make sure of a front-row place.
Two thousand members of the public at Cardiff castle for the proclamation. pic.twitter.com/KG2Wr9mKLY
— steven morris (@stevenmorris20) September 11, 2022
Hundreds more lined the streets of the Welsh capital, large sections of which were closed off for the ceremony, which include the singing of God Save the King and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, Wales’ national anthem.
Prior to the proclamation, members of the 3rd Battalion the Royal Welsh – supported by the Band of the Royal Welsh and accompanied by the regimental mascot, a Welsh billy goat called Shenkin – marched from City Hall to the castle.
Hundreds have lined the streets of Cardiff ahead of the reading of the proclamation at the castle pic.twitter.com/NQIg2v8s2J
— steven morris (@stevenmorris20) September 11, 2022
There was a small protest outside the castle.
A small protest outside Cardiff castle pic.twitter.com/xedRDRJEfV
— steven morris (@stevenmorris20) September 11, 2022
One of the protesters, Lyn Mererid, from Cardiff, said:
“We’re just showing another side. All this ceremony does represent some people, but there are people as well who aren’t interested in the monarchy and don’t think it represents them, and we want to be a voice for those people. Not to cause any trouble but just to say everybody’s voice is of value.”
She was also upset that William has been granted the title of Prince of Wales. “It does upset us. We don’t see how it is of value.”
Updated
Summary of the day so far …
The funeral cortege of Queen Elizabeth II has departed Balmoral Castle in Scotland on a six-hour journey that will end later today in Edinburgh. Draped in the royal standard for Scotland, and bearing a wreath made of flowers from her Balmoral estate, the Queen’s coffin will travel through Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth before reaching Scotland’s capital city at about 4pm.
The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and other party leaders in Scotland are expected to observe the coffin as it goes past the Scottish parliament. The coffin will then remain at Holyroodhouse Palace, the monachy’s official residence in Scotland, before lying at rest on Monday at St Giles’ Cathedral.
People have lined the route, particularly in the village of Ballater, eight miles from Balmoral, where the Queen frequently visited. One local resident said: “This is personal for the village.”
Proclamation ceremonies to announce King Charles III as the new monarch are taking place throughout the UK, with large events staged at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland and Cardiff Castle in Wales among them. Many local councils and authorities will be hosting ceremonies during the course of the day.
The timing of the state funeral for the Queen has been confirmed: it will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September. Before then, the Queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects, the royal family has said.
The Department for Education has confirmed that schools and colleges in England are expected to close for the bank holiday on the day of the funeral. Schools in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are also to close.
Much of the British press on its Sunday front pages focused on the joint walkabout by Prince William and his brother Harry accompanied by their wives at Windsor Castle last night. The four have seldom been seen together since Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced their intention to step away from royal duties.
New Zealand, Australia and Canada all held proclamation ceremonies to recognise King Charles III as their new head of state. The proclamation ceremonies are a constitutional and ceremonial event that formally transition to a new monarch for the countries.
Those countries’ leaders have made tributes to the Queen as they recognised her successor. New Zealand’s PM, Jacinda Ardern, said the country was “filled with sadness for her passing, but also gratitude for the life she led”. The Australian PM, Anthony Albanese, said the Queen was “admired for her devotion to duty, for her commitment to the people of the United Kingdom, to the people of the Commonwealth including Australia and indeed to the world”.
The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda has said he will call for a referendum on the country becoming a republic within three years. The country will retain a British monarch for now, but the prime minister, Gaston Browne, said a referendum would be “the final step to complete that circle of independence, to ensure that we are truly a sovereign nation”.
King Charles III held his first audiences at Buckingham Palace on Saturday afternoon, with the UK prime minister, Liz Truss, members of her cabinet and opposition leaders, as well as the archbishop of Canterbury.
Liz Truss is to accompany King Charles III on a tour of Britain. The prime minister will accompany the King on a royal tour of Britain’s four nations to lead days of national mourning for the Queen.
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There is a live video feed of the procession of the Queen’s funeral cortege through Scotland this morning at the top of the blog now. You may need to refresh the page for the play button to appear.
The proclamation ceremony for the new monarch at Hillsborough Castle in County Down, Northern Ireland, has begun. PA Media reports that the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) band lead a procession of a Proclamation Guard from the 2nd Battalion of the RIR and representatives of Lisburn and Castlereagh council to the area at the front of the castle. It reports that members of the public are lining the streets outside the castle’s grounds.
Hillsborough Castle is the official residence of the monarch and royal family in Northern Ireland, and also the official residence of the secretary of state for Northern Ireland. It has been a focal point for people leaving gifts since the death of the Queen.
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It is not just in Scotland, where the Queen’s funeral cortege travels today, that people have been continuing to pay their respects. Crowds have gathered again at Windsor Castle.
This picture shows the people who have assembled outside Buckingham Palace this morning.
At Cardiff Castle in Wales there have been queues of people to get into a proclamation ceremony for King Charles III there.
That ceremony has also been accompanied by a protest from supporters of Welsh independence.
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The funeral cortege of Queen Elizabeth II, with the coffin draped with the royal standard for Scotland, continues its journey through the Scottish countryside. Libby Brooks is in Ballater for the Guardian, the first village it passed through on its journey from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh, and she describes the scene as people left after it passed:
Just before 11am the sun was shining fully on Ballater and the crowds that had lined the high street had dispersed promptly and without ceremony, leaving behind scores of police and council officials.
The Queen’s cortège leaving the village of Ballater pic.twitter.com/38jUeBG1KZ
— Libby Brooks (@libby_brooks) September 11, 2022
Many returned to homes only a few minutes’ walk away. “This is personal for the village,” one man told me. “I did think there might be clapping, but when the cars went past there was a moment of silence, and that tells its own story.”
The crowds are growing now in Ballater in anticipation of the Queen’s cortège arriving just after the hour. Asked why they have made the journey today, many simply respond: we had to be here, she was our Queen pic.twitter.com/pich6nLCzK
— Libby Brooks (@libby_brooks) September 11, 2022
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The Guardian’s North of England correspondent is in Edinburgh for us, and has spoken to people gathering there in anticipation of the Queen’s funeral cortege arriving later today:
Crowds started arriving about 9am on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile for Sunday’s proclamation of King Charles III.
Adriana De La Torre, 40, an attorney from Orlando, was among the first. She wanted to see history, she said.
“I’m a big fan of the royals. We don’t have this kind of unifying figure in the States who everyone rallies around, you just have the two parties. Her dedication to service is outstanding and it is something to celebrate.
“To be able to witness this is something special. I was in London the night she passed and I went to lay flowers at Buckingham Palace and it was such an emotional experience.”
Crowds are gathering on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile ahead of the proclamation of Charles’ accession. Florida attorney Adriana De La Torre was one of the first to bag a spot “It’s history,” she said. pic.twitter.com/dbOT2TbOZp
— Mark Brown (@markbrown14) September 11, 2022
Stephanie Haenicke, in her 50s, has travelled on the 7am bus from Dundee to grab a good spot near St Giles’ Cathedral for the proclamation. “I didn’t want to miss it. It’s history. I have great admiration for the Queen, she was a woman so dedicated … she gave her entire life to her job and you look at other heads of state, they’re all in it for themselves really.”
The proclamation events in Edinburgh will begin at 11am when members of the Royal Company of Archers, who wear eagle feathers in their bonnets, march from Edinburgh Castle esplanade to the Mercat Cross on the Royal Mile.
At the same time, a procession will make its way from Parliament House to the Mercat Cross. The procession will include state trumpeters, the moderator and office bearers of the Society of High Constables of Edinburgh and the Lord Lyon King of Arms, an ancient ceremonial post currently held by Joe Morrow, a lawyer who has in his career specialised in mental health law.
Morrow is expected at noon to read the proclamation – of the Queen’s death and the accession of Charles III – to the people of Scotland.
It will be followed by a 21-gun salute from the castle.
The procession will then make its way to the castle where a second proclamation is made.
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Libby Brooks reports for the Guardian from Ballater in Aberdeenshire:
As the cortege processed through the village, preceded by a seemingly endless number of official vehicles and police vans, the chatter grew to a hush. Some phones were raised to capture the moment but many others preferred to watch quietly.
“It was very respectful, exactly as she would have wished,” said Elsbeth Henry, who had come with her friend Isa McLeod from Lossiemouth this morning. “I was worried folk might start clapping or throwing flowers. It was very emotional though. I wish I could say more but I can’t find the words.”
“It would have been her wish to die here,” added McLeod. “This was where she had her freedom, she could breathe up here.”
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It has been impossible to separate politics from the process of the succession from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III. While there has been some backlash about any dissent from a universal respectful mourning period, notably from rightwing and conservative media, the death of the Queen has not shifted the political principles of those who do not support the British monarchy. PA Media reports this morning that the Sinn Féin president, Mary Lou McDonald, has said the party will not be taking part in any accession proclamation ceremonies. It quotes her saying:
Sinn Féin once again extends our condolences on the death of Queen Elizabeth, whose loss is felt deeply by her family, and many people across our society, particularly within the unionist community.
We acknowledge the very positive role the Queen played in advancing peace and reconciliation between our two islands, and the two traditions on our island, during the years of the peace process. In recognition of this, Sinn Féin will attend a number of events during the 10 days of mourning.
The accession proclamation ceremonies are intended for those whose political allegiance is to the British crown. Sinn Féin will not be in attendance at these events.
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In the next stages of the journey, the funeral cortege will pass through the villages of Dinnet, Aboyne, Kincardine O’Neil, Banchory, Drumoak, Peterculter and Cults.
Here are the images of the Queen’s funeral cortege passing through the village of Ballater.
The first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has tweeted to describe the departure of Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin from Balmoral as “a sad and poignant moment”.
Sturgeon added: “Today, as she makes her journey to Edinburgh, Scotland will pay tribute to an extraordinary woman.”
A sad and poignant moment as Her Majesty, The Queen leaves her beloved Balmoral for the final time.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 11, 2022
Today, as she makes her journey to Edinburgh, Scotland will pay tribute to an extraordinary woman. https://t.co/pZ6uMoqfOn
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The funeral cortege of Queen Elizabeth II has arrived in Ballater in Aberdeenshire, a village she frequently visited when in residence at Balmoral Castle. It was saluted by the Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire.
Claire Green, 44, who is there, earlier told PA Media: “We thought it was important to be here to give her a good send-off from Scotland. It’s an overwhelming sadness for everyone. She never set a foot wrong, all those years, there’s no one else like her in the world.
“Worldwide, it’s a big loss. It’s so fortunate that we’re in Scotland, it’s so close so we can say our goodbyes, I don’t know if we would have had this chance otherwise.”
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The funeral cortege will travel 175 miles, a journey expected to take six hours. It will pass through Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth before reaching Scotland’s capital city, using the A90 and M90.
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Following the Queen’s cortege as it passes through Aberdeenshire are her daughter, Anne, the Princess Royal, and also the minister who led the kirk services that the monarch would attend when she was in residence at Balmoral, the Rev Kevin McKenzie.
The wreath on the Queen’s coffin features flowers cut from her estate.
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Queen Elizabeth II's funeral cortege departs Balmoral
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II has left the royal residence at Balmoral Castle to begin a procession that is expected to end today in Edinburgh at 4pm.
The coffin will then remain at Holyroodhouse Palace, the monachy’s official residence in Scotland, before lying at rest on Monday at St Giles’ Cathedral.
The first village it will pass through is Ballater, where a small crowd has gathered.
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Earlier today the Church of England issued a family prayer to be said with children. It is very simplistically worded and is predictably attracting some backlash from people who seem to be upset that it isn’t published as if written in the 18th century. It reads:
Loving God, our Queen has died and people are sad. Thank you for her long life and her care for her people. We pray for our new King. Bless and guide him as his reign begins. Amen.
A family prayer on the death of Her Majesty The Queen. pic.twitter.com/b8mWHjZbWr
— The Church of England (@churchofengland) September 11, 2022
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Here is a reminder from my colleagues Severin Carrell and Libby Brooks of the route the Queen’s cortege is expected to take this morning when it departs Balmoral in about 30 minutes time:
After passing Crathie Kirk, the small granite church the Queen attended on Sundays during her summer holidays in the Highlands, the hearse will reach the village of Ballater. Here the cortege will slow to walking pace so residents can pay their respects.
After Ballater, the hearse will travel eastwards along the A93 through Aboyne, Banchory and Peterculter, before taking the A90 south, passing Dundee and Perth. It will reach Edinburgh an estimated six hours later, where the first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, will observe its passing along with other party leaders. The coffin will remain at Holyroodhouse Palace, the monarchy’s official residence in Scotland, before lying at rest on Monday at St Giles’ Cathedral.
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Department of Education confirms schools expected to close for Queen's funeral
The Department for Education has confirmed that schools and colleges in England are expected to close for the bank holiday on the day of the Queen’s funeral.
In a message to school leaders, the DfE said: “The official date of the state funeral is 19 September 2022. This day will be a bank holiday and settings that are normally closed on a bank holiday should close on this day as a mark of respect. This will include schools and colleges.”
Schools in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are also to close. A spokesperson from the Welsh government said: “Schools are not expected to remain open on the bank holiday. It should be treated as any normal bank holiday.”
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It isn’t just in the UK that people are laying floral tributes. These images show messages of tribute and condolences that have been left outside the British High Commission in Singapore.
Singapore became an independent republic in 1965, having been part of Malaysia. A British colony was founded there in 1819.
There will be proclamation ceremonies happening all over the country today. The Conservative MP Michael Fabricant has said he will be attending the one in his Lichfield constituency at 2.30pm outside the great west door of Lichfield Cathedral.
I shall be there and at the service that follows at 3.30pm https://t.co/a12fCIuenC
— Michael Fabricant 🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@Mike_Fabricant) September 11, 2022
Stockport Council, meanwhile, is warning about a road closure to the A6 that will be in place to allow the proclamation to take place.
Please be aware that the A6 will be closed between 2pm and 4pm for the proclamation of His Majesty The King Charles III.
— Stockport Council (@StockportMBC) September 11, 2022
Diversions will be in place.
The proclamation will begin at 3pm.
For more info on the Royal Proclamation visit: https://t.co/OdqQ9ZavxK pic.twitter.com/Bq4mU0PFfR
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The crowds in Ballater, the closest village to Balmoral, have been gathering since before 7am. Some of the first to arrive were the Alexander family, three generations of whom have driven from Huntly, an hour’s drive through the forest from the north.
Eight-year-old Hamish says his iPad told him the Queen was dead. Florence, 11, says they saw the Queen in her car, while five-year-old Gracie guards closely their sharing tub of sweeties. Nobody likes these ones, she says, holding up an unloved pink and white confection.
It’s a family tradition to visit Balmoral, explains their grandmother Elizabeth Anne Alexander, who was named after the Queen and born on Coronation Day. She travelled here this morning with her two daughters and three grandchildren.
“The Queen has always been part of our lives, during the summer when she’s stay in Scotland. We’d often see her about locally, and the community always respected her privacy. She was so relaxed here, even in how she dressed. It felt that having her as the head of that family was a constant,” she said.
“I think this will establish how strong the feeling is for being part of the UK. That’s part of the reason I’m here.”
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Much of the British press on Sunday focused their front pages on the walkabout by the newly titled Prince and Princess of Wales with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex last night at Windsor Castle, where they inspected tributes left to their grandmother, the Queen.
There were various interpretations of what the joint appearance between William and Harry meant. For the Sunday Telegraph, they were “reunited in sorrow”. Stating that the four had “rarely been seen together” since Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step back from royal duties, the paper said they put aside their differences.
The front page of tomorrow's Sunday Telegraph:
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 10, 2022
'Reunited in sorrow'#TomorrowsPapersToday
Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/JIMevXrNiU pic.twitter.com/xw1aIqIB91
The People said they were united in “peace for gran”.
Sunday People: Peace For Gran #TomorrowsPapersToday #SundayPeople pic.twitter.com/0stK7kQIrS
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) September 10, 2022
The Sunday Mirror took a similar line, saying the brothers were “Reunited for granny”, describing the joint appearance as an “olive branch” from the future King William to his brother.
Sunday Mirror: Reunited For Granny #TomorrowsPapersToday #SundayMirror #Mirror pic.twitter.com/WV3pjHhCPm
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) September 10, 2022
The Sun on Sunday described them as “feuding royals” and went for a Three Musketeers motif with the headline “All 4 one”, and said they had “dramatically” reunited in what a royal source had told the paper was “an important show of unity for the Queen”.
Sunday's Sun: All 4 One #TomorrowsPapersToday #SunOnSunday #TheSun #Sun pic.twitter.com/uYEyWBGdiF
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) September 10, 2022
The Mail on Sunday declared the brothers “reunited”, though inside it had a body language expert poring over the footage and describing Harry’s posture throughout the 10-minute walkabout as “defensive” and “guarded”.
Here is #Sundays front page from the:#MailOnSunday #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/9Ycx7T71St
— The Press Room From TSC News (@channel_tsc) September 11, 2022
The Sunday Times opted for a simple front page as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, with a blue-tinted photograph from early in the Queen’s life.
Sunday Times: Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022 #TomorrowsPapersToday #SundayTimes #TheTimes #Times pic.twitter.com/3InUX7Z804
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) September 10, 2022
The Observer chose a picture of the newly proclaimed King Charles III and his assumption of the “heavy duties of sovereignty”, while leading with the latest developments in Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Tomorrow’s front page pic.twitter.com/SxeUm1QcGc
— The Observer (@ObserverUK) September 10, 2022
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A crowd of a couple of dozen people has gathered in the village of Ballater, which is about eight miles to the east of Balmoral, and will be one of the first places that the late Queen’s cortege passes through when it starts its journey at 10am.
Interviewed on Sky News, local minister the Rev David Barr said the Queen had held a special relationship with Balmoral and the village, as it was somewhere she could “hang her crown up at the door” and behave normally, remembering that she had spent enjoyable times there as a child. He said members of the royal family often frequent the village and shop there, and the villagers help guard their privacy.
Overnight, someone has added a knitted tribute to the Queen to a postbox in the village.
It is Martin Belam in London taking over the live coverage for the next few hours. You can contact me at martin.belam@theguardian.com
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Summary of the day so far …
At 10am today the Queen’s coffin will begin its journey from Balmoral Castle, where she died on Thursday, and make its way to Edinburgh. At noon, proclamations will be held in the devolved nations.
The King is due to meet the Commonwealth secretary general at Buckingham Palace before hosting realm high commissioners and their spouses in the Bow Room.
Here’s a brief summary of what’s happened since yesterday:
The timing of the state funeral for the Queen has been confirmed: it will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September. Before then, the Queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects, the royal family has said.
New Zealand, Australia and Canada all held proclamation ceremonies to recognise King Charles III as their new head of state. The proclamation ceremonies are a constitutional and ceremonial event that formally transition to a new monarch for the countries.
Those countries’ leaders have made tributes to the Queen as they recognised her successor. New Zealand’s PM, Jacinda Ardern, said the country was “filled with sadness for her passing, but also gratitude for the life she led”. The Australian PM, Anthony Albanese, said the Queen was “admired for her devotion to duty, for her commitment to the people of the United Kingdom, to the people of the Commonwealth including Australia and indeed to the world”.
The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda has said he will call for a referendum on the country becoming a republic within three years. The country will retain a British monarch for now, but the prime minister, Gaston Browne, said a referendum would be “the final step to complete that circle of independence, to ensure that we are truly a sovereign nation”.
King Charles III held his first audiences at Buckingham Palace on Saturday afternoon, with the UK prime minister, Liz Truss, members of her cabinet and opposition leaders, as well as the archbishop of Canterbury.
Liz Truss is to accompany King Charles III on a tour of Britain. The prime minister will accompany the King on a royal tour of Britain’s four nations to lead days of national mourning for the Queen.
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Camilla, the Queen Consort, once said that King Charles’s destiny didn’t “weigh heavily on his shoulders at all”, but he accedes to the throne with a country in crisis and a monarchy seeking to reshape its role for the modern age, writes Jon Ungoed-Thomas.
Over what has been described as a “50-year apprenticeship”, King Charles has championed his causes and concerns, from better training and opportunities for young people to pollution and the climate crisis. He has lobbied UK ministers with letters described as “black spider memos” because of the scrawled handwriting, rallied business leaders and urged action on the international stage.
Royal observers say that, for the court of King Charles to succeed in the face of formidable challenges, one of his most crucial attributes will need to be self-restraint.
Labour will go ahead with its autumn conference later this month, as officials, advisers and politicians from all parties attempt to balance paying their respects to the Queen with avoiding a period of political paralysis.
The Queen’s death and period of mourning has come at a moment of acute political tension, with concerns over the behaviour of Liz Truss’s new administration in Whitehall and significant gaps in the details of her energy price cap, set to cost well over £100bn.
Meanwhile, Truss is yet to complete all her ministerial appointments, with some serving ministers said to be only temporarily reprieved in their jobs.
Opposition parties and campaigners said they were targeting the immediate resumption of political debate after the Queen’s funeral on Monday 19 September.
Labour’s conference is due to start just six days later, but officials have decided that the gathering should go ahead as planned and include tributes to the Queen. The conference is a key moment for Keir Starmer to take on Truss after she became prime minister last week.
Senior Labour figures have taken the view that they will not be thanked if they fail to hold the new government to account once the period of mourning is over, with basic questions remaining over how Truss’s energy bailout will be delivered and paid for. Concerns are also emerging in the business world over the short-term nature of the package designed to help companies deal with energy costs.
“I don’t think Truss has even finished making her ministerial appointments yet,” said one Labour frontbencher. “There’s complete paralysis. Nothing is really going to happen before the funeral, but then I think we’ll get back to the normalities of government and parliament.”
The Liberal Democrats last night cancelled their conference which was due to start on 17 September. “Given the date of the funeral and period of national mourning, we have decided to cancel our conference,” a spokesperson said.
It is understood that talks are taking place for the early return of parliament after the conference season. While the government will need to lay out emergency legislation for its energy price cap plan, opposition parties are concerned about the need to scrutinise plans that remain vague in detail.
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The front page of today’s Observer newspaper:
Tomorrow’s front page pic.twitter.com/SxeUm1QcGc
— The Observer (@ObserverUK) September 10, 2022
You can read the Observer’s editorial on the huge task facing King Charles III here.
Here are some further details of the proclamation due to take place in Scotland today:
At 11.25am the King’s Body Guard for Scotland (Royal Company of Archers) and the Guard of Honour will march from the Castle Esplanade to the Mercat Cross.
At noon the Lord Lyon King of Arms will then read the proclamation. This will be followed by a 21-gun salute from Edinburgh Castle.
The procession will then make its way to Edinburgh Castle where the Lord Lyon will read a second proclamation at 12.30pm.
The Scottish government has said it is expecting very large crowds to gather along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to witness the proclamations and has advised anyone wishing to attend to allow plenty of time.
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Writing in today’s Observer, Toby Helm, Michael Savage and Waseem Mohamed look back at the moment the news of the Queen’s death reached parliament – and how politics was brought to an abrupt halt.
At around 12.25pm, in a few disorienting moments that nobody who was there will ever forget, the House of Commons was transformed. Adversarial politics absented itself from its natural home. Arguments over price caps subsided. To adapt the words of Tony Blair, the kaleidoscope was shaken.
In the Commons chamber, rather like schoolchildren who see something that distracts them outside the classroom window, members’ heads turned.
Lizz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng looked up at the press gallery above, something ministers and MPs try never to do. The political reporters had left their places.
Nadhim Zahawi, the minister who had become responsible for constitutional matters two days before, rushed in to the chamber and passed a message to the prime minister. Truss looked ahead, blankly, for several few seconds.
A Commons clerk kept thrusting a phone into the Speaker’s eyeline to alert him to breaking news. A minute or two passed before the Speaker was presented by another official with a printed statement. He glanced at it, taking in its gravity. The SNP leader in parliament, Ian Blackford, was on his feet, losing his audience. Hoyle raised his hands, gesturing at Blackford to give way, initially to no avail. He repeated the gesture a second time, raising his palms a little higher this time and waving them with more urgency. Blackford saw, and gave way.
The Queen will pay a slow farewell to Scotland on Sunday, as the cortege carrying her coffin leaves Balmoral and passes through Royal Deeside before travelling to Edinburgh and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, write Severin Carrell and Libby Brooks.
Her final journey has been carefully mapped, and progress through this heavily forested corner of the Cairngorm mountains will be slow. For most of the locals on Deeside, this will be their chance to say goodbye to someone they regarded as a cherished neighbour.
After passing Crathie Kirk, the small granite church the Queen attended on Sundays during her summer holidays in the Highlands, the hearse will reach the village of Ballater. Here the cortege will slow to walking pace so residents can pay their respects. Cars have been cleared from the main road and metal control barriers were clanging into place on Saturday afternoon, with bright yellow traffic cones guarding the route.
“Her Majesty was our neighbour, and when she comes through here it is going to be hard,” said Rev David Barr, minister of Glenmuick Church in Ballater, who hurried back from holiday when he heard the news, to toll the church bells 70 times. “People have seen it on TV, but when she passes it will be final.”
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Proclamations will take place in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast today. Here are some further details of the schedule in Cardiff:
At 11.25am, 26 men of the 3rd Battalion the Royal Welsh will march from City Hall to Cardiff Castle. They’ll be accompanied by the Band of the Royal Welsh and a Welsh billy goat called Shenkin, who is the regimental mascot.
At the castle, the Wales Herald of Arms Extraordinary, Tom Lloyd, will make the proclamation in English and the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Morfudd Meredith, will proclaim King Charles in Welsh.
After the readings, members of 104th Regiment of the Royal Artillery will fire a 21-gun salute before the singing of God Save The King and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, Wales’ national anthem.
Up to 2,000 people will be allowed to attend the event.
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New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said she expects her country’s relationship with the royal family will “deepen”, while Australia declared a one-off public holiday as a national day of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, reports Christine Kearney.
New Zealand held its formal Proclamation ceremony on parliament’s grounds, with the proceedings led by governer general Cindy Kiro and Ardern, beginning with the national anthem and a prayer in te reo Māori – the Indigenous language.
Ardern said she believed New Zealand’s close connection to the royal family would continue and strengthen under the new monarch.
“King Charles has long had an affection for Aotearoa New Zealand and has consistently demonstrated his deep care for our nation. This relationship is deeply valued by our people. I have no doubt it will deepen,” she said.
She paid tribute to the Queen’s “unwavering duty” at the country’s ceremony to recognise King Charles III as head of state.
“Upon her death we enter a time of change – one filled with sadness for her passing, but also gratitude for the life she led, and the example she set. We are forever grateful for her close bond to our country, but it’s a bond and affection that spans across her entire family,” she said.
Australia also officially recognised King Charles as the country’s new sovereign, with the governor general and executive council making their public proclamation at Parliament House, followed by a 21-gun salute.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese said there had been “an outpouring of grief” after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. “In Queen Elizabeth’s own words, that grief is the price we pay for love, is I think a fitting statement on how so many Australians are feeling at this time,” he said.
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Proclamation ceremonies were held in Australia and New Zealand on Sunday to recognise King Charles III as their new head of state.
The Queen’s funeral procession will begin on Sunday morning in Scotland. Here is a more detailed schedule:
10am The cortege is expected to leave Balmoral Castle, where the Queen died on Thursday. Crowds can gather along the route from Balmoral to Edinburgh.
10.12am The cortege will first head to the nearby town on Ballater in Aberdeenshire, passing along the A93. Tributes will be led by the Lord-Lieutenants of Aberdeenshire, as well as senior officers and councillors. The cortege will then travel along the A93, through Aboyne, Banchory and Drumoak.
11.20am It is then expected to arrive in Aberdeen, where the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, in his role as Lord-Lieutenant, will lead a tribute at Duthie Park.
2pm The cortege will arrive in Dundee. Members of the public are being invited to pay their respects in safe standing areas along the A90 Forfar Road and Kingsway.
4pm The cortege will then head to Edinburgh, where First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and other party leaders in Scotland are expected to observe the coffin as it goes past the Scottish parliament.
The coffin will then be taken into the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where it will remain for the night.
It’s now 5.30am on Sunday in the UK, D-Day +2. (The announcement of the Queen’s death took place late on Thursday, and so plans were shifted a day to allow for arrangements to be put in place.)
Today, proclamations will be held in the devolved nations simultaneously at noon, and the Queen’s coffin will be driven from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh.
The King will also meet the Commonwealth secretary-general at Buckingham Palace before hosting realm high commissioners and their spouses in the Bow Room.
Here’s a brief summary of what’s happened since Saturday afternoon in the UK:
Timing of the State Funeral for the Queen has been confirmed, and will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19th September. Before then, the Queen will lie in-state in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects, the royal family has said.
New Zealand, Australia and Canada all held proclamation ceremonies to recognise King Charles III as their new head of state. The proclamation ceremonies are a constitutional and ceremonial event that formally transition to a new monarch for the countries.
Those country leaders have made tributes to the Queen as they recognised her successor. New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern said the country was “filled with sadness for her passing, but also gratitude for the life she led”. Australian PM Anthony Albanese said the Queen was “admired for her devotion to duty, for her commitment to the people of the United Kingdom, to the people of the Commonwealth including Australia and indeed to the world”.
The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda has said following the Queen’s death he will call for a referendum on the country becoming a republic within three years. The country will retain a British monarch for now, but prime minister Gaston Browne said a referendum would be “the final step to complete that circle of independence, to ensure that we are truly a sovereign nation”.
King Charles III held his first audiences at Buckingham Palace on Saturday afternoon, with Prime Minister Liz Truss, members of her Cabinet and opposition leaders, as well as the Archbishop of Canterbury
Liz Truss to accompany King Charles III on tour of Britain. The UK’s new prime minister will accompany King Charles on a royal tour of Britain’s four nations to lead days of national mourning for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
