The cathedral of San Gil, in Edinburgh, has hosted this Monday the first farewell mass in the presence of the remains of the late queen of England, Elizabeth II, preceded by a symbolic funeral procession in which King Charles III has participated.
The coffin has left Holyrood Palace accompanied by the four children of Elizabeth II. Thousands of people have gathered on the sides of the street to watch the procession pass, barely interrupted by the cries of ‘God save the queen’.
Inside the cathedral, on the coffin, which already carried the royal standard of Scotland, the Duke of Hamilton, Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, has deposited the crown corresponding to this territory as a sign of respect. The crown is regularly displayed in Edinburgh Castle.
The mass has had among its attendees the British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, and also the Chief Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, who has gone up to read a passage from the Bible. During the act it was also possible to listen to the favorite religious hymn of Elizabeth II.
Reverend Calum I MacLeod highlighted Elizabeth II’s “life of service” during the ceremony and described her love for Scotland as “legendary,” according to the BBC.
The British anthem, now adapted in tribute to the new king, has served as the closing mass, after which the royal family has left the cathedral to make way for the funeral chapel that has been enabled in the same temple so that Scottish citizens can say a last goodbye to the deceased monarch.
The vigil will conclude on Tuesday with the transfer of the coffin to London, initially to Buckingham Palace, and on Wednesday a new procession will start towards Westminster, the scene of the main burning chapel. The state funeral is scheduled for next Monday.
Source: Europa Press
