Body of Queen Elizabeth II lies in state in Edinburgh, Scotland

Queen’s children attend memorial service at St. Giles Cathedral

Britain’s new king and queen consort met with members of Parliament Monday at Westminster Hall before traveling back to Scotland to join other members of the royal family for a procession to St. Giles Cathedral, where the queen’s coffin is lying in state to allow the people of Scotland to pay their respects.

The queen’s body was transferred from the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland in a somber procession.

The queen’s children -- Prince Edward, Prince Andrew Andrew and Princess Anne -- were led by their brother, King Charles III during the procession, following the coffin on foot. Other members of the royal family followed in cars.

The queen’s coffin was then carried inside the St. Giles Cathedral, where it is now lying in rest for 24 hours, allowing the people of Scotland to say their final goodbyes.

The memorial service at the cathedral came after King Charles III was officially welcomed to Scotland with a ritual known as the Ceremony of Keys.

Earlier, the king and queen consort appeared before both houses of Parliament in London as lawmakers came together to pay tribute to the queen.

“As I stand before you today, I cannot help but feel the weight of history which surrounds us and which reminds us of the vital parliamentary traditions to which members of both houses dedicate yourselves with such personal commitment for the betterment of us all,” the king said.

On Monday, Prince Harry also released his first statement since the death of his grandmother, celebrating her life and remembering fond memories, including when the queen met his wife Meghan and the time she hugged her “beloved great-grandchildren.”

Meanwhile, outside Buckingham Palace, a sea of flowers, cards, balloons and other tributes remain on display.

“I think she’s like always been there,” one mourner, Kartik Manaktala, said. “And she’s just overall a nice person.”

There are now so many tributes that the Royal Parks have asked mourners not to leave anymore Paddington bear toys or marmalade sandwiches -- a wink to the now-infamous skit from the queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The queen’s final journey began on Sunday. Her casket -- draped in the Scottish royal standard – was adorned with a wreath of her favorite flowers.

Leaving her beloved Balmoral estate, a procession carrying her coffin took the long road towards Edinburgh.

“(It’s) just important to say goodbye. She has been on the throne for a long time. So, yes, it means a lot,” one mourner, Elaine Robertson, said.

Across the Scottish countryside, thousands lined the way to say goodbye to their queen.

“She loved Ballater, she loved Royal Deeside, and we loved her as well,” Pauline Lawson said.

Some even threw flowers as the hearse drove by. In some places, farmers showed up with an honor guard of tractors.

“This is the farming community doing their part to show their appreciation for what she had done for agriculture,” Jim Smith said.

Later down the road, a dozen horses payed tribute to the queen, who was an equestrian in her younger years.

And in Edinburgh, this final leg of the procession was eventually met by members of the royal regiment of Scotland.

“We’re part of history standing here,” one mourner said.

Some of the queen’s children greeted the coffin in silence, including Princess Anne, who gave a curtsey.

Charles III has been formally proclaimed king in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

To send a message of condolence to the Royal Family, click here.

Watch Local 10 News’ Nicole Perez’s reports from the UK below:


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Nicole Perez is the the primary co-anchor of Local 10 News at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. She first joined Local 10 in July 2016 as the morning traffic reporter.

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