https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFewvK4lSWk
By JESSICA WARREN and NICK FAGGE IN BALLATER FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 18:30 AEST, 11 September 2022 | UPDATED: 19:53 AEST, 11 September 2022
Well-wishers in Scotland are paying a fond farewell to the Queen as her coffin left Balmoral to begin a six-hour journey to Edinburgh, where it will rest overnight at the Palace of Holyroodhouse before lying in state at St Giles' Cathedral.
As bright sunshine broke through the morning mist, the hearse carrying the late monarch passed through the gates of her beloved Highland home, with the gentle rush of water flowing through the River Dee one of the few sounds that could be heard as a small gathering of well-wishers stood in complete silence.
Minutes later the hearse passed through the village of Ballater where locals - many of whom knew the monarch personally - threw flowers onto the road. A hushed silence descended as villagers bowed their heads and the Lord Lieutenants from Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire stood to attention outside Glenmuick church.
Now with a single motorbike outrider leading the way and six vehicles following, the hearse travelled at a stately pace through the stunning Aberdeenshire countryside, with Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence following directly behind.
Earlier the Queen's oak coffin, draped in the Royal Standard for Scotland - was carried in the hearse by six of the Balmoral estate's gamekeepers after they were allowed time to say their last goodbye. The wreath is made up of flowers from the Balmoral estate including sweet peas - one of the Queen's favourite flowers - dahlias, phlox, white heather and pine fir.
Following a 170-mile journey to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the coffin will rest overnight in the oak-panelled throne room. Proclamations will be read in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland devolved parliaments in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
Tomorrow, Edinburgh will become the focus of national mourning, with the Queen's coffin carried in a procession from the palace to St Giles Cathedral, where a Vigil of the Princes is expected to take place before it lies in state for 24 hours.
The Queen's poignant final journey will eventually end at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, where she will be buried alongside her beloved husband, Prince Philip, alongside her father, George VI, the Queen Mother, and her sister, Princess Margaret.
Among other developments -
The Queen 's oak coffin was today seen leaving Balmoral Castle on its way to Edinburgh in a black Mercedes Benz
A slight mist hung in the air at Balmoral Castle early this morning ahead of the Queen's final departure from what was one of her most beloved places to spend time
Princess Anne (pictured), her husband Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the minister of Crathie Kirk and a representative of the Lord chamberlain's Office are in the convoy following the Queen's coffin
The coffin is draped in the Royal Standard for Scotland, which has been used by generations of Scottish monarchs
The wreath on the coffin is made up of flowers from the Balmoral estate including sweet peas - one of the Queen's favourite flowers - dhalias, phlox, white heather and pine fir
The coffin, which is draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is being carried by William Purves, a funeral directors with offices in Edinburgh
Members of the public line the streets of Ballater, a village near Balmoral, where many locals know the Queen personally
The coffin is expected to stop in Ballater for a short ceremony in the town famed for its connections to the Royals.
The Queen's coffin, draped in the Royal Standard for Scotland, will be taken by road via Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth
People gather along the streets in Ballater, the closest town to Balmoral as they wait to view the cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II
Families have been seen setting up picnic chairs and attaching union flags to barriers outside Ballater's Glenmuick Church from about 7am
Families with young children turned out early in Ballater this morning to pay a final farewell to Elizabeth II.
Care assistant Elaine Reid stood wrapped in a tartan blanket with her sons Innis, 11, and Darragh, 16, in the street by Glenmuick Church.
She explained that she was happy to get up early and drive the one-hour- journey from their home in Buckie so her children could remember the Queen.
Elaine, 40, told MailOnline: 'We came here today to pay our respects because the Queen has spent her whole life in service to our country. So this is the least we could do.
'And I wanted the kids to be here so that they can remember this day and be able to tell their children that they were here to say goodbye to the Queen.'
Parents Lorna and Andre Andrasovska stood patiently in thick coats and bobble hats at the roadside with their daughter Zofia, 10, and son Jacob, four.
The couple explained how the Queen had become a constant presence in their lives after they moved to the UK from Slovakia.
Lorna, 40, from Elgin, told MailOnline: 'We used to live in Windsor and we would often see the Queen and Prince Phillip come through the town.
'And over the years when world leaders came and went she was always there. It was great to see a woman at the head of the table of world leaders.'
Andre, 48, a doctor, added: 'What we are seeing today is the departure of the soul of the nation. It is a very significant event.'
The couple stood patiently in thick coats and bobble hats at the roadside with their daughter Zofia, 10, and son Jacob, four.
James and Margaret Phinn drove up to Ballater from Glasgow. James, 58, said: 'We came up to pay our respects. The Queen has been there for me for my whole life so I just want to show her the respect she deserves.'
Reverend David Barr said locals regarded the Windsors as 'like neighbours', particularly as the Queen had been coming to Balmoral Castle since she was a girl, and people in the area had long-standing relationships with the estate.
He said: 'When she comes up here, and she goes through those gates, I believe the royal part of her stays mostly outside.
'She was able to be a wife, a loving wife, a loving mum, a loving gran and then later on a loving great gran - and aunty - and be normal.'
Young children, who holding Union flags and the other a corgi, wait in Ballater for the arrival of the Queen's coffin
There will be 'overwhelming emotion' when the Queen's coffin passes through the Aberdeenshire village of Ballater, pictured
Families have been seen setting up picnic chairs and attaching union flags to barriers outside the village's Glenmuick Church
Reverend David Barr said locals regarded the Windsors as 'like neighbours', particularly as the Queen had been coming to Balmoral Castle since she was a girl, and people in the area had long-standing relationships with the estate
Local people dressed in tartan preparing for the arrival of the Queen's coffin at Glenmuick Church in Ballater
People line the street waiting for the funeral cortage carrying Britain's Queen Elizabeth in the village of Ballater
Police said the area leading up to the entrance to Balmoral will be closed to members of the public for the coffin's departure.
It will leave at 10am and is expected in the city at 4pm.
'Now 70 years, she's given her life, even up to the very last day, she's given us service.
'So, here in the village, we want to give back, (and) by allowing the royal family to come here and go into the shops and have a cup of coffee and not be bothered.
'That's what this community has done for 70 years.'
He added: 'As you stand here today and you watch Her Majesty pass, that will be very tangible and be very real for people, and I think that will bring on an overwhelming amount of emotion.'
Tomorrow, a procession will march up the Royal Mile to St Giles' Cathedral where The Queen will lie at rest and members of the public can pay their respects.
A series of road closures in the capital have already been announced.
Traffic Scotland bosses warned it was an event of unprecedented scale - and said even COP26 could not match the amount of planning that has gone into the operation.
People have been urged to plan ahead and check city centre road closures, weather conditions, and be prepared to spend long periods in their vehicles.
Police chiefs have urged the public to only park in designated areas and to not throw flowers on the road or towards the cortege.
Significant numbers of stewards are being drafted in to work with police officers.
People wait for the funeral cortage carrying Britain's Queen Elizabeth in the village of Ballater
A post box with adorned with a black knitted hat and likeness of The Queen in Ballater
A drawing of the Queen against the background of a Union flag which was left amongst flowers outside Balmoral Castle
Another tribute left among flowers at Balmoral Castle read 'I miss you Queen' on a child's drawing of the late monarch
Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: 'Our priority is public safety and we are working with partners, including the UK and Scottish governments, as well as local authorities, to support the delivery of planned events.
'This includes supporting people and businesses to plan ahead for any potential disruption as a result of road closures, which are largely in the Royal Deeside and Edinburgh areas, and the management of crowds gathering to pay their respects.
'We understand that the public will want to show their respects to Her Majesty and we would urge them to do so safely.
'If you are attending to view the Queen's cortege, please do not leave your vehicle at the side of the road as this poses a risk to public safety. Please only park in designated areas and follow the directions of stewards and police officers.
'We would also urge people not to stand in unsafe areas and to keep off the carriageway at all times.
'There will be rolling road closures along the route.
'Other roads close to the route are expected to be significantly affected as large numbers of people from across Scotland and beyond come to pay their respects.'
Police officers patrol in the streets of Edinburgh, which will become a focus of national mourning today and tomorrow
Members of the public wait on the Royal Mile in the historic centre of Edinburgh to view the cortege this afternoon
A major policing operation will be underway on the Royal Mile and across the rest of Edinburgh to allow mourning to go ahead
Traffic Scotland operator manager Stein Connelly said: 'This is an event of unprecedented scale.
'Even the recent COP26 gathering in Glasgow cannot match the amount of preparation and planning that has gone into this operation.
'In order for the next few days to be successful we need the public to play their part by planning ahead, checking before they travel, and allowing extra time for journeys.
'The northbound carriageway of the Kingsway and A90 will be open throughout.
'Other roads may be closed at short notice, at the discretion of senior officers within Police Scotland.
'Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to the travelling public, but significant delays are expected.
'Please plan ahead and use public transport where possible. If you
absolutely have to travel by car, allow extra time and only park within designated areas.
'For up to date travel information and other updates, visit the Traffic Scotland website and twitter feeds, and check local authority websites for more localised information.'
Where to see the Queen’s coffin: How you can pay your respects to Her Majesty in Edinburgh and London as late monarch lies in state for four days with up to a million Britons expected to file past oak casket
By Natasha Anderson for MailOnline
More than one million mourning Britons will say their final goodbyes to Queen Elizabeth II as her coffin lies in state in Scotland and London this week.
Her Majesty's coffin will lie in rest at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh for 24 hours, beginning Monday at 5pm. Those wishing to pay their respects can turn up at the church.
Officials say a queuing system and security checks will be in place. Mourners should expect to stand in the queue for a number of hours. Mobile phone use will be restricted and photography and recording will be strictly prohibited.
Members of the Royal Family, including King Charles III, will guard the coffin as it lies in state from 7.20pm on Monday in a tradition known as the Vigil of the Princes.
Brits can also visit the Queen at Westminster Hall in London beginning on Wednesday. Her Majesty will lie in state for 'four clear days' in Westminster Hall until the morning of her funeral on Monday, September 19.
Her coffin will be under continuous vigil and mourners can visit any time during daylight hours.
Police and Whitehall sources say specific details on how to attend will be released in the coming days, but visitation is expected to be on a first come, first served basis.
Queen Elizabeth, aged 96, died peacefully at her beloved Scottish residence on Thursday surrounded by her family.
Her death sparked an immediate and huge outpouring of emotion, with thousands of mourners gathering outside the gates of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to leave flowers and displays of well-wishes for the Royal Family.
More than one million mourning Britons will say their final goodbyes to Queen Elizabeth II (pictured in June 2022) as her coffin lays on display in Scotland and London this week
Queen Elizabeth II's casket will lie in state for 24 hours at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. Officials are pictured outside the church on Saturday as they prepared for the procession transporting her body
Her Majesty will lie in state for 'four clear days' in Westminster Hall (pictured on Thursday) until the morning of her funeral on Monday, September 19. Members of the public will be able to see the coffin as it lies in state
Soldiers will guard the coffin around the clock during visitation. Members of the Royal Family are also expected to take turns standing guard, a tradition known as the Vigil of the Princes. Princes Edward and Charles (pictured) both guarded the Queen Mother's coffin in 2002
The Queen's coffin – which is lying in the ballroom at Balmoral Castle – will be taken by road to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh this morning, on a six-hour journey by hearse, covering 175 miles.
The procession will travel from Balmoral to Aberdeen on the A93 and is expected to reach Ballater for a tribute in Aberdeenshire around 10.12am today.
The tribute will be attended by the Lord Lieutenants of Aberdeenshire, as well as senior officers and councillors. According to The Telegraph, best viewing locations will be on pavement areas in in Aboyne, Banchory and Drumoak.
The cortege will then Aberdeen at around 11am. Another tribute - led by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen and other civic dignitaries - will take place at Great Southern Road by Duthie Park. The public is invited to pay their respects at the ceremony or on a footpath along the procession route.
The cortege will then follow the A90 to Dundee, arriving around 2pm for another tribute. Civic dignitaries from Tayside and Fife will stand on a dais as the cortege leaves the city.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the 'poignant' journey would give the public a chance to come together to 'mark our country's shared loss'.
Well-wishers are expected to gather along the route and Ms Sturgeon and other party leaders in Scotland are expected to watch the coffin as it goes past the Scottish Parliament.
People wait for the hearse carrying the body of Britain's late Queen Elizabeth II on its way to Edinburgh, in Balmoral, Scotland
Police stand next to flowers left in tribute to Britain's late Queen Elizabeth II outside Balmoral Castle, Scotland
A visitor leaves a floral tribute at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for the late Queen Elizabeth II on September 11, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland
The coffin will be taken to St Giles' Cathedral where it will lie in rest until Tuesday. Mourners will be able to begin viewing the coffin around 5pm Monday, the City of Edinburgh Council confirmed to Edinburgh Evening News.
Visitors will go through an official queuing system that will feature security checks.
King Charles will stand beside the coffin from 7.20pm as part of the Vigil of the Princes - a longstanding tradition where male members of the Royal Family stand guard as their relatives lie in state. Prince Edward and Charles both guarded the Queen Mother's coffin in 2002.
After lying in state for 24 hours, Her Majesty's coffin will then be flown from Edinburgh to RAF Northolt on Tuesday, accompanied by her daughter Princess Anne. The casket will then be driven to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday ahead of a processional through the streets on London to Westminster Hall, where it will lie in state until the morning of the funeral.
A million mourners - included several foreign dignitaries - are expected to visit the coffin while it is lying-in-state and officials estimate two million people will gather in the streets every day until Her Majesty is laid to rest.
'We will open the queue and control it through the normal way,' a senior Whitehall source told The Sunday Times. 'It is like trying to organise something on a similar scale to the London Olympics in a matter of days.'
A police source echoed: 'It will be like the Notting Hill carnival every day.'
Nadhim Zahawi, the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, is reportedly chairing daily meetings to oversee the viewings as officials try to ensure 'as many people as possible' can see the Queen.
Soldiers will guard the coffin around the clock during visitation. Members of the Royal Family are also expected to take turns standing guard.
The Queen's coffin – which is lying in the Ballroom at Balmoral Castle – will be taken by road to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on Sunday September 11, on a six-hour journey by hearse
King Charles will be at the front of the royal party heading from the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and up the Royal Mile to St Giles' Cathedral
After the ceremonies in Edinburgh, the coffin will be flown to RAF Northolt and from there will be taken by road to Buckingham Palace
When her coffin arrives in Edinburgh it will be taken to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of Her Majesty The Queen in Scotland, before a service is held at St Giles' Cathedral on Tuesday
King Charles will lead the nation in mourning on Monday as he walks at the head of a procession of the Queen's coffin through the streets of Edinburgh.
He will be at the front of the royal party heading from the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and up the Royal Mile to St Giles' Cathedral, it has been announced.
The King and Queen Consort will fly to Edinburgh with Prince William and other members of the Royal Family to lead the procession. Some members of the family will follow in cars, with others walking.
The Queen's children and Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence will join King Charles in the the procession in Scotland.
A spokesperson confirmed that Charles is still in 'discussions' about arrangements for his mother's state funeral.
'I think what the family are genuinely focusing on is the death of Her Majesty the Queen and are united on that,' the spokesman told the Times. 'They are trying to get through this period by honouring the Queen as best as possible.'
Prime Minister Liz Truss will also accompany the King on a tour around Britain this week.
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla arrive at Bucking Palace on Friday after mourners laid flowers outside the royal estate
Prince Harry,the Duchess of Sussex, Prince William and Princess Kate look at floral tributes laid by members of the public on the Long walk at Windsor Castle on Saturday
A view of floral tributes left outside Buckingham Palace on Saturday
Officers from the Household Cavalry stand in vigil at the coffin of Britain's Queen Mother as it lies in state April 5, 2002 in Westminster Hall
The man in charge of the huge funeral operation, the Earl Marshall the Duke of Norfolk, said the King's main focus will be leading the royal family and nation in mourning over the coming days.
'Whilst, in the next few days, the King will carry out all the necessary state duties, his main focus will be leading the Royal Family, the nation, the Realms and the Commonwealth in mourning Her Majesty The Queen. This will include meeting members of the public, to share in their grief,' he told Mail Online on Saturday.
The Duke of Norfolk said he and other staff were carrying out their task 'with a heavy heart'.
He said: 'As the person with overall responsibility for delivering the funeral, let me end by saying that, together with so many colleagues from within The Royal Household, the Armed Forces, the Police, and other institutions of Church and State, we will carry out our duty over the coming days with the heaviest of hearts.
'But also, with the firmest of resolve to ensure a fitting farewell to one of the defining figures of our times; a monarch whom we were truly privileged to have had as the Head of State of our country and the Realms, and Head of the wider Commonwealth.
'While His Majesty The King was speaking about his family, I think it applies to us all when he said in his broadcast yesterday that: 'We owe her the most heartfelt debt.' I think we can, in some way, repay that debt by carrying out her last wishes in delivering Her Majesty The Queen's Funeral.'