A sniper has been spotted on top of the Royal Bank of Scotland building at the beginning of Princes Street on Shandwick Place.
It is believed that the gunman has been positioned in this spot to ensure the safe passage of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral cortege as it makes its way to Edinburgh Castle.
The sniper is seen dressed in all black with his gun in front of him and facing in the direction of Lothian Road.
READ MORE: Edinburgh transformed with barriers, big tents and police escorts for Queen's arrival
From Edinburgh Castle, the hearse carrying the Queen’s coffin is expected to travel down the Royal Mile whilst passing the Scottish Parliament where the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and opposition leaders will be in attendance.
It will then travel to the Palace of Holyroodhouse where the Queen will stay overnight before her coffin travels to a service at St Giles Cathedral on Monday 12.
The city centre has already begun to become inundated with mourners who wish to say their farewell to the Queen as well as those wishing to witness the proclamation of King Charles.
There is a heavy Police Scotland and armed forces presence in the capital which is in place to guarantee the safety of the Queen as she makes her journey from Balmoral in Aberdeenshire to Edinburgh before travelling via an RAF plane to London on Tuesday September 13.
The funeral cortege will travel to Edinburgh via Aberdeen and Dundee and will cross the Queensferry Crossing.
It will therefore enter the capital from the west.
You can keep up to date with all the latest events as they unfold today and tomorrow in Edinburgh by following our live blog here.
READ NEXT:
Queen Elizabeth II: Edinburgh Council close major roads as monarch to arrive in capital
Queen Elizabeth II in Edinburgh: 22 amazing photos show Her Majesty's many visits down the years
Edinburgh mourners will be able to visit Queen's coffin as full plan confirmed
When Queen's body will arrive in Edinburgh from Balmoral as procession planned
Edinburgh closures and cancellations following the death of Queen Elizabeth II
