HOME TO REST
Queen’s coffin arrives for one final night at Buckingham Palace before solemn procession to Westminster today
THE Queen has arrived home at Buckingham Palace for the final time after her coffin was flown back from Scotland on an RAF jet.
Princess Anne accompanied her late mother on the emotional journey back to the Palace on Tuesday, where members of the family gathered to meet them - led by King Charles III and the Queen Consort.
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
The new monarch and his Queen Consort were joined at the royal residence by Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, the Prince and Princess of Wales and Prince Andrew.
Charles was seen looking sombre and bowing his head at the Palace as he waited for the Queen's coffin with Meghan and Harry stood behind him.
The family are set to reunite for a solemn procession to Westminster today, where the Queen's coffin will lie in state.
Tens of thousands of mourners lined the streets to pay their respects to Her Majesty as the coffin travelled through the capital on Tuesday evening, with many weeping and throwing flowers towards the hearse.
Read More on the Queen's Death
In poignant scenes, Anne, 72, arrived St Giles' Cathedral just after 4pm to escort the Queen's coffin back to the Palace.
She travelled with the late monarch as the coffin was moved from St Giles’ Cathedral to Edinburgh Airport by road yesterday afternoon.
The royal then stood with her husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence as pallbearers from the Queen's Colour Squadron of the RAF carried the coffin, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, onto the RAF C17 aircraft.
The national anthem played out as the plane prepared to take off.
Most read in News
It landed at RAF Northolt, in North West London, shortly before 7pm.
The Queen's coffin was driven to Buckingham Palace in a state hearse - accompanied by Anne and Vice-Admiral Sir Tim - to rest in the Bow Room.
Waiting to receive them at the Palace was the King and the Queen Consort, as well as Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, the Prince and Princess of Wales and Prince Andrew.
It is understood the family affair was a small and private gathering before Her Majesty's coffin lies in state today and no images will be released.
Princess Beatrice and Edo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank as well as Zara Philips and Mike Tindall were all there for the unprecedented get-together.
28
28
28
28
28
28
The family was also joined by Prince Edward, along with Sir Tim Laurence and Sophie Wessex.
Peter Philips, James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor, were also there too to say their goodbyes to the Queen.
A guard of honour formed of three officers and 96 soldiers from The King's Guard was mounted in the Palace Quadrangle.
And the Queen's coffin will rest in the Bow Room overnight.
The Princess Royal said it was "an honour and a privilege" to accompany the Queen on her final journey.
She said: ";I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother’s life.
"It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys. Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting.
"We will all share unique memories. I offer my thanks to each and every one who share our sense of loss.
"We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted.
"I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of The Monarch. To my mother, The Queen, thank you."
It comes as...
- King Charles and the Royals will be joined by Meghan and Harry to receive the Queen’s coffin in London
- Prince Harry hits out at his uniform ban after being told he can't wear military dress to mourn
- Prince Andrew heckler charged after being arrested over funeral procession incident
- Police tell Royal fans on The Mall to pack up their tents before Queen's funeral
- Princess Anne delivers a on her final journeys
On Wednesday, King Charles will lead a sombre procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where she will lie in state from 5pm until Monday at 6.30am.
Prince William and Harry will walk behind the Queen's coffin together tomorrow as it heads to Westminster.
Charles will be joined by his three royal siblings as well as Peter Phillips, Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Prince Richard and the Earl of Snowdon for the procession at 2.22pm.
Meghan, Kate, Sophie Wessex and Queen Consort Camilla will all travel by car, reaching Westminster Hall at 3pm.
It comes after Charles and Camilla were greeted by thousands of members of the public in Northern Ireland on Tuesday afternoon.
They met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, and other party leaders.
A service of prayer and reflection was also held at St Anne’s Cathedral, which they attended.
The pair appeared quiet in reflection as they attended a cathedral service commemorating the Queen.
Inside, Prime Minister Liz Truss sat beside Taoiseach Micheal Martin, while Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill and DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson sat directly behind them.
Irish President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina were also present for the service of reflection, sitting alongside Ms Truss and Mr Martin.
Charles and Camilla were met by cheering well-wishers who lined the gates of Belfast's Hillsborough Castle.
Cries of "God save the King" rang out as the new King and Queen Consort stepped out of their car to speak with mourners.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
And in one touching moment, Charles was handed a corgi from the crowd in a poignant reminder of his mother.
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday at the age of 96.
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
Your Princess Anne questions answered
- Who is Princess Anne's husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence?
- Who are Princess Anne’s children?
- Inside Princess Anne sprawling 700-acre home
- Who plays Princess Anne in The Crown?
- Princess Anne kidnap attempt - what happened to the young royal in 1974?
Topics