Members of the royal family came together yesterday in Edinburgh as Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrived to lie in rest at the Palace of Holyrood House.
The Countess of Wessex, Sophie, was captured comforting Princess Anne during the emotional moment.
Sophie, the wife of Prince Edward, placed a supportive hand on the Princess Royal’s back as the coffin journeyed from Balmoral to Edinburgh.
Alongside them were other members of the royal family, including the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence.
Soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland solemnly carried the Queen’s coffin into the Palace of Holyrood House, where a touching display of deference to the monarch was observed.
The royal women curtsied, while the men bowed their heads in respect.
Queen Elizabeth II did not make the journey alone; Princess Anne and her husband accompanied her in a limousine directly behind the hearse.
The Queen will spend the night at the Palace before being transferred to St Giles Cathedral the following afternoon.
Earlier in the day, a large crowd gathered at St Giles Cathedral for the midday proclamation of King Charles as the new Head of State.
Princess Anne and Sophie were visibly moved as they viewed floral tributes left for the Queen at Balmoral.
Meanwhile, Scottish mourners lined the route of the coffin procession to pay their respects as the Queen departed Balmoral for the final time.
Thousands stood silently along the roads, bridges, villages, and city centers to bid farewell to the Queen, who had a special affinity for Scotland.
Princess Anne, the Queen’s only daughter, played a significant role in accompanying the funeral cortege on its six-hour journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh.
Despite her somber expression, the Princess Royal remained composed as she traveled behind the hearse in a Royal Bentley with her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence.
It was evident that meticulous planning went into the Queen’s funeral arrangements, with Princess Anne chosen to accompany the coffin to the Palace of Holyrood House.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that Princess Anne will also accompany her mother’s coffin to London, where it will depart Scotland by air.
Known for her dedication and hard work, Princess Anne has completed over 20,000 engagements, earning her reputation as one of the most industrious members of the royal family.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided to remain in the UK for the Queen’s funeral and the subsequent seven-day Royal Mourning period.
In a show of respect, Prince Harry flew solo to Scotland to bid farewell to his grandmother, arriving just in time for the solemn occasion.
King Charles and Princess Anne were among the few present to say their final goodbyes to the monarch.
Earlier in the week, Harry and Meghan, along with Prince William and Kate Middleton, visited Windsor Castle to view the floral tributes left for Queen Elizabeth II.
The couples took the time to engage with well-wishers expressing their condolences.
Following the Queen’s passing, Buckingham Palace announced a period of Royal Mourning to be observed until seven days after the funeral.
This period will involve members of the royal family, royal household staff, and ceremonial troops.
Amidst the mourning, reports have surfaced suggesting Princess Anne’s displeasure towards Meghan Markle, expressing a desire to have her removed from the UK due to alleged mistreatment of the Queen.
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