Queen Elizabeth’s body has returned to London
The late monarch’s coffin arrived at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, after being flown into RAF Northolt from Scotland, where the Queen “peacefully” died at age 96 at her beloved Balmoral Castle on September 8. Her daughter Princess Anne traveled with the casket, which reached the royal residence around 8 p.m. local time.
As the Queen’s hearse approached the crowds gathered in front of Buckingham Palace, onlookers were respectful and quiet. But when the vehicle passed, a round of spontaneous applause broke out, coupled with some cheers.
Princess Anne, 72, looked very pensive and solemn as she drove past.
There, it was received by members of the royal family including King Charles III, Queen Camilla Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. All of the Queen’s children and grandchildren, many with their spouses, were also on-hand.
The coffin’s arrival on Tuesday marked the first time the queen touched down in England after spending several days in Scotland. The casket will remain overnight in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace, where Queen Elizabeth primarily lived following her accession to the throne in 1952.
In accordance with arrangements leading up to the state funeral next Monday, the coffin will be transported to the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday, ceremoniously processed through the streets of London.
The Queen will then lie in state in the Westminster Hall for five days, where hundreds of thousands of people are expected to flow through. The medieval hall will be open to the public 24 hours a day to ensure the maximum number of mourners can pay their respects.
