queen's journey from raf northolt to buckingham palace

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In Pictures: The Queen’s final journey from RAF Northolt

Thousands of people have lined the streets in Ruislip and across London this evening as the Queen’s coffin made its journey to RAF Northolt.

Mourners queued for hours to bid a final farewell to the country’s longest-serving monarch of over 70 years.

Below are some of the pictures we have obtained from people that are present at RAF Northolt this afternoon to witness this historic occasion.

King Charles III and Queen Consort arrived at RAF Northolt in a private plane on a wet day as members of the public looked on.

The coffin will now head to Buckingham Palace before it is laid to rest on Monday at the St Giles’ Cathedral.

Thousands of people are expected to see the Queen lying in state this weekend along with more headed to the palace to pay their respects.

King Charles III and Queen Consort travelling through #Ruislip on their way to Buckingham Palace this evening. 🎥 Nae Mckay pic.twitter.com/OvgcX26wj6 — Harrow Online (@harrowonline) September 13, 2022

Sharon Lynch, a member of Harrow Online who was present in Ruislip today, said: “What an absolute honour it has been to say that I was here. Despite the rain, everyone was in good spirits and I am glad I witnessed this in person. It was very emotional but a lovely send-off for her, she deserved it.”

The late Queen Elizabeth II making her final journey to Buckingham Palace. Cheers from the crowd in #Ruislip as her coffin goes past. ❤️👑 🎥 Nae Mckay pic.twitter.com/KAR09GsbKD — Harrow Online (@harrowonline) September 13, 2022

Another onlooker, Wendy Adams, said: “it was a surreal experience. I will be going to see her again on Saturday, this time is something that we won’t see again. I was in tears hearing the cheers, so proud of our Queen.”

A statement posted by The Princess Royal this evening reads: “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.”

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What route will the Queen’s coffin take from RAF Northolt to Buckingham Palace?

• 13 September 2022
• Londoners Reporters
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The Queen’s coffin will arrive back in the capital tonight and take slow 15-mile journey across London to Buckingham Palace.

Thousands are expected to line the route as the State Hearse travels from RAF Northolt to the Bow Room, where it will rest overnight, ahead of a day of high ceremony and symbolism on Wednesday.

With hundreds of thousands predicted in London in the days ahead, this evening is expected to be the easiest way to pay your respects.

The Queen’s coffin will leave St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh in late afternoon, accompanied by the Princess Anne.

The 40-minute flight from Edinburgh airport to RAF Northolt is expected to arrive in the capital around 7pm. It will be greeted by a guard of honour formed by the Queen’s Colour Squadron, an RAF regiment.

An enormous security operation is already in place along the route, with the cortege moving slowly along the A40, traditionally one of the busiest roads into west London. There are many bridges along the route where people are expected to watch.

Once in central London, it will travel down Eastbourne Terrac e, Lancaster Gate and the Bayswater Road before rounding the iconic Marble Arch and progressing down Park Lane.

The hearse will then cross Hyde Park Corner before journeying down Constitution Hill , which runs adjacent to the Buckingham Palace gardens. It will then pass through Centre Gate Centre Arch of Buckingham Palace.

The Queen will spend one final night in her London residence before she will be taken in procession to Westminster Hall on Wednesday afternoon, a full rehearsal of the huge-scale state occasion taking place between 3am and 6am this morning.

Metropolitan Police have actioned a “highly complex’’ policing plan in the capital, the biggest ever seen in the UK.

In terms of complexity and scale, it will dwarf the £5.4 million spend on arrangements for the Queen Mother’s funeral in 2002.

Not only is there a new King and new prime minister but London also has a new police boss, Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley swearing his oath to the King yesterday, the first senior police officer to do so.

“We have been preparing for this for many, many years,” he said. “There are some very diligent and determined people who put a lot of effort into this.

“I have a lot of trust and confidence in the fantastic police officers who are going to support this event. We are going to be putting thousands of officers into this because of the level of security required and the millions of people whom want to pay their respects.”

Join the discussion

I Support our Police and security forces in keeping the orders and safety of our nations big thank you and your efforts are most valued we would like to see HM Queen and say good bye to HM .our beloved Queen .I trust our police forces and security forces and have every confidence that they will do what it takes to secure HM Arrival to London and to secure HM &BR & Mourners to say good bye to our beloved Queen HM. We pray for our police forces and everyone involved for hard work dedication and high sense of duties in keeping the safety and security of our city . May god bless them and help them on responsibilities they are carrying in their shoulders . Big thank you

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Queen’s coffin arrives in London as late monarch makes final journey to Buckingham Palace

Mourners line capital’s streets and gather outside royal residence to pay respects to sovereign of 70 years, article bookmarked.

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The RAF plane carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II has touched down in London , as the late monarch makes her final journey to Buckingham Palace .

Up to a million mourners are expected to pay their respects to the Queen and her seven-decade reign as she lies-in-state at Westminster Hall, with queues already forming in the capital and crowds lining the A40 to view the hearse carrying her coffin.

As convoys of black cars carrying dignitaries including leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt arrived at Buckingham Palace, a crowd of well-wishers swelled outside its gates, braving the rain to greet the late monarch’s coffin.

As the hearse departed Edinburgh ’s St Giles’ Cathedral on Tuesday afternoon, where tens of thousands queued to view the Queen’s coffin as it lay shrouded in the Lion Rampart and flag of St Andrews, the crowds of mourners lining the streets of the Scottish capital broke into solemn applause.

Anne, the Princess Royal, was in a car following the procession as it travelled to Edinburgh Airport, first passing along the Royal Mile and beneath the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, saying in a statement that it had “been an honour and a privilege” to accompany her late mother on her final journeys.

“Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting,” Princess Anne said. “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.”

Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack were at the airport as the coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth II was carried on to the RAF plane, while the Royal Regiment performed the national anthem.

Nearly 6 million people attempted to track the flight as it made the 400-mile journey to RAF Northolt in west London, according to FlightRadar, whose website briefly crashed as a result.

Awaiting the coffin on the tarmac as it touched down just before 7pm, beneath overcast skies, were prime minister Liz Truss and defence secretary Ben Wallace.

Members of the Guard of Honour presented arms as the Queen’s Colour Squadron slowly carried the coffin down a ramp from the aircraft. The guard then lowered the King’s Colour for the Royal Air Force in salute.

King Charles III and the Queen Consort also touched down at RAF Northolt shortly prior and made their way to Buckingham Palace, following a visit to Northern Ireland – the first by a king in 80 years.

Speaking with Northern Ireland's political leaders at the royal residence of Hillsborough Castle, the new monarch said the late Queen was aware of her position in bringing together divided communities “whom history had separated”.

“Through all those years, she never ceased to pray for the best of times for this place and for its people, whose stories she knew, whose sorrows our family had felt, and for whom she had a great affection and regard,” the King said.

“My mother felt deeply, I know, the significance of the role she herself played in bringing together those whom history had separated, and in extending a hand to make possible the healing of long-held hurts.”

• Sturgeon speaks of Scotland’s sad farewell to Elizabeth, ‘Queen of Scots’
• Almost half of Britons say they have cried over Queen’s death

He added: “Now, with that shining example before me, and with God’s help, I take up my new duties resolved to seek the welfare of all the inhabitants of Northern Ireland.”

The Queen’s coffin will be greeted at Buckingham Palace by the King’s Guard and will be placed in the Bow Room overnight on Tuesday, where the late monarch traditionally hosted heads of state upon their arrival to the UK. Her coffin will then be taken to Westminster by gun carriage on Wednesday afternoon.

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Queen's coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace after final journey from Scotland

Coffin driven past tens of thousands gathered in the rain to pay their last respects.

The Queen's casket leaves Scotland for London

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The coffin of Queen Elizabeth arrived at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening, making its way through a drizzly London as crowds lined the route for a glimpse of the hearse and to bid her a final farewell.

People parked their cars along a normally busy road, got out and waved as the hearse, with lights inside illuminating the flag-draped coffin, made its way into London. In the city, people pressed in on the road and held their phones aloft.

Thousands gathered outside the palace cheered and clapped as the hearse swung around a roundabout in front of the Queen's official residence and through the wrought iron gates. King Charles and other royals waited to greet the casket.

The late monarch's coffin left her beloved Scotland where 33,000 people filed silently past it in the 24 hours after it was brought to Edinburgh's St. Giles' Cathedral from her cherished summer retreat, Balmoral. The Queen died there Sept. 8 at age 96 after 70 years on the throne.

Charles had returned to London from Northern Ireland, where his visit drew a rare moment of unity from politicians in a region with a contested British and Irish identity that is deeply divided over the monarchy.

• The long wait to view the Queen's casket in Edinburgh ends in 'spiritual' experience for many
• Your questions about the Queen's funeral answered

'It's a great shame'

The military C-17 Globemaster carrying the monarch's casket touched down at RAF Northolt, an air force base west of the city, about an hour after it left Edinburgh. British Prime Minister Liz Truss, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and a military honour guard were among those greeting the coffin at the base.

One of those who stood in the rain waiting for the hearse to pass, retired bus driver David Stringer, 82, recalled watching the Queen's coronation on a movie newsreel as a boy.

Queen's coffin draws massive crowds

"It's a great shame," he said. "I mean, I didn't think about her every day, but I always knew she was there, and my life's coming to a close now and her time has finished."

The coffin will be taken by horse-drawn gun carriage Wednesday to the Houses of Parliament to lie in state for four days before Monday's funeral at Westminster Abbey.

"Scotland has now bid our Queen of Scots a sad, but fond farewell," said Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. "We will not see her like again."

The new king is making his own journey this week, visiting the four nations of the U.K. — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — in his first days on the throne.

'God save the King!'

Earlier Tuesday, hundreds of people lined the street leading to Hillsborough Castle near Belfast, the Royal Family's official residence in Northern Ireland, in the latest outpouring of affection following the Queen's death. The area in front of the gates to the castle was carpeted with hundreds of floral tributes.

Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Queen Consort, got out of their car to wave to the crowd and sometimes used both hands to reach out to villagers, including schoolchildren in bright blue uniforms. Charles even petted a corgi — famously his late mother's favourite breed of dog — held up by one person, and some chanted "God save the King!"

"Today means so much to me and my family. Just to be present in my home village with my children to witness the arrival of the new King is a truly historic moment for us all," said Hillsborough resident Robin Campbell as he waited for Charles, who toured the four parts of the United Kingdom.

While there was a warm welcome in Hillsborough, the British monarchy draws mixed emotions in Northern Ireland, where there are two main communities: mostly Protestant unionists who consider themselves British and largely Roman Catholic nationalists who see themselves as Irish.

That split fuelled three decades of violence known as "the Troubles" involving paramilitary groups on both sides and U.K. security forces, in which 3,600 people died. The Royal Family was touched personally by the violence: Lord Louis Mountbatten, a cousin of the Queen and a much-loved mentor to Charles, was killed by an Irish Republican Army bomb in 1979.

• From the Queen's death to her funeral, here's the sequence of royal events to watch
• King Charles and his siblings escort Queen's coffin in Edinburgh

A deep sectarian divide remains, a quarter century after Northern Ireland's 1998 peace agreement.

For some Irish nationalists, the British monarch represents an oppressive foreign power. But others acknowledge the Queen's role in forging peace. On a visit to Northern Ireland in 2012, she shook hands with Sinn Fein deputy leader Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander — a once-unthinkable moment of reconciliation.

Alex Maskey, a Sinn Fein politician who is Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, said the Queen had "demonstrated how individual acts of positive leadership can help break down barriers and encourage reconciliation."

In a sign of how far Northern Ireland has come on the road to peace, representatives of Sinn Fein attended commemorative events for the Queen and meeting the King on Tuesday.

Maskey expressed condolences to the King at an event in Hillsborough Castle attended by leaders from all the main political parties in Northern Ireland.

Charles responded that his mother "felt deeply, I know, the significance of the role she herself played in bringing together those whom history had separated, and in extending a hand to make possible the healing of long-held hurts."

He said he would draw on his mother's "shining example" and "seek the welfare of all the inhabitants of Northern Ireland."

'He's not our King'

Still, not everyone was welcoming the new King.

On the Falls Road in Belfast, a nationalist stronghold, several walls are decorated with murals of Bobby Sands, an IRA member who died while on a hunger strike in prison in 1981, and others killed in the Troubles.

"No, he's not our King. Bobby Sands was our king here," said 52-year-old Bobby Jones. "Queen never done nothing for us. Never did. None of the royals do."

King Charles in Northern Ireland commits to Queen's path of reconciliation

Irish leaders attended a service of reflection at St. Anne's Cathedral in Belfast despite tense relations between Dublin and London over Brexit. Since Britain left the European Union in 2020, the U.K. and the EU have been wrangling over trade rules for Northern Ireland, the only part of the U.K. that shares a border with a member of the bloc.

Earlier, the flag-draped oak coffin was carried from St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh to the strain of bagpipes. Crowds lining the Royal Mile through the historic heart of Edinburgh broke into applause as the coffin, accompanied by the Queen's daughter, Princess Anne, was driven to Edinburgh Airport.

"I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother's life," Princess Anne said in a statement. "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."

Mourners describe ‘spiritual experience’ viewing Queen’s casket in Scotland

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The Queen's coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace to tearful, cheering crowds

• Tuesday 13 September 2022 at 11:54pm

ITV News Europe editor James Mates recaps a day that saw the Queen's coffin flown from Edinburgh to London

The Queen's coffin has arrived at Buckingham Palace to cheering crowds paying tribute, after thousands lined the route along her final journey back to London.

The monarch was flown from Edinburgh to RAF Notholt, before her cortege drove into London.

Despite heavy rain, crowds of tens of thousands lined the streets to pay tribute as the Queen was taken into the city for the final time, as the royal family prepares for her to Lie in State.

Crowds watched tearfully as her family arrived to witness the arrival of her coffin at the royal residence affectionately known as the “office”.

Watch thousands of people line the roads to pay tribute as the Queen's coffin is driven into London one last time.

Standing at the grand entrance, King Charles III and his Queen Consort were surrounded by the late monarch’s children and grandchildren and their partners, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

People cheered “hip hip hooray” after the coffin drove under the arc, while others could be seen wiping away tears.

Some cars heading in the opposite direction stopped as their drivers got out to pay their respects.

Watch the moment the Queen's coffin arrives to cheering crowds at Buckingham Palace

As evening turned to night, the Queen's Royal Standard-draped coffin was on display to mourners in a glass-topped hearse illuminated by internal lights.

According to ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship, the Queen had a say in the design of the hearse, which allowed the public to view her casket as she passed by one last time.

Mourners paid their respects along the route as she is driven slowly into Buckingham Palace, through central London.

A group of RAF Servicemen carried the Queen's coffin off the plane

The coffin departed from Edinburgh airport on an RAF flight this evening.

The plane carrying the Queen’s coffin earlier landed at RAF Northolt in London following its journey from Edinburgh airport.

Following her arrival to Buckingham Palace, the King and Queen Consort left after witnessing the arrival of the Queen’s coffin.

For one night the coffin will lie at rest in the palace’s bow room before the monarch is handed to the nation to allow the public to pay their respects when she lies in state at the ancient Westminster Hall for four days.

A hearse carrying the monarch's coffin made its way to Edinburgh airport before being flown to Westminster Hall.

King Charles III will be joined by Queen Consort, Camilla, as he receives his mother’s coffin at Buckingham Palace, where she spent so many of her decades as sovereign.

The Globemaster C-17 plane carrying the Queen's coffin arrives at RAF Northolt, as her daughter Princess Anne waits to receive her

The Princess Royal watched sombrely as her mother's coffin was taken onto the flight.

Earlier on Tuesday the Princess Royal said it has been “an honour and a privilege”  to accompany the Queen on her final journey , as she travelled with her late mother’s coffin back to London.

Anne, the late monarch’s only daughter, said she was “fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother’s life”.

She said the love and respect shown to her mother had been "both humbling and uplifting" and thanked the nation for their “support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles” as he takes on his duties as King".

The King and the Queen Consort were flown from Belfast City Airport to London to receive the Queen's coffin at Buckingham Palace.

The Prince and Princess of Wales will also be at the Palace to receive Her Majesty on Tuesday evening.

A guard of honour formed of three officers and 96 soldiers from The King’s Guard will be mounted in the Quadrangle.

Military commands, usually shouted, will be given as quietly as possible in honour of the solemn occasion.

The Queen's coffin on its way to London

Some 300 police officers are stationed on the roads surrounding RAF Northolt ahead of the arrival of the Queen’s coffin by plane there on Tuesday evening.

The late monarch’s lying in state in Westminster Hall will open to the public at 5pm on Wednesday and will be open 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on Monday September 19 – the day of the Queen’s funeral.

Earlier today, the King and Queen Consort had earlier visited Hillsborough Castle and attended a service at St Anne's Cathedral for the monarch's first visit to Northern Ireland following the late Queen's death.

As part of a tour around the UK, the new King pledged to “seek the welfare” of all Northern Ireland’s people, describing how his family felt their “sorrows” as he praised his mother’s relationship with the nation.

Charles, who in 2015 made a pilgrimage to the site of his great-uncle Lord Mountbatten’s murder in an IRA bombing, said the Queen had “never ceased to pray for the best of times for this place and its people”. Speaking at Hillsborough Castle in County Down, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, the new monarch added that the late Queen was aware of her position in bringing together divided communities “whom history had separated”.

ITV Special Coverage of Kings Charles visits Northern Ireland before Queen's coffin returns to London

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill told the King she was sorry for his deep loss when she met him at Hillsborough Castle, saying she hopes the British-Irish relationship strengthens now he is monarch.

Cheers had broke out from the crowd of thousands of people in Hillsborough as the King’s cavalcade of vehicles arrived in the Co Down village - both Charles and the Queen Consort exited their cars to greet well-wishers.

After meeting political leaders the pair travelled to St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast where they attended a service of reflection for the life of the Queen.

God Save the King was sung in the cathedral for the first time in seven decades.

Prime Minister Liz Truss, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Irish foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney and Irish President Michael D. Higgins were among the figures who were seen taking their seats at the historic building.

King Charles and the Queen Consort shook hands with the the Irish president following a memorial service for the late Queen.

Thousands of members of the public moved solemnly past the oak coffin through the night as it stood on public view for 24 hours at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.

On his Operation Spring Tide tour around the UK with the Queen Consort, the new monarch will meet leaders from all the major faiths in Northern Ireland.

The King’s visit to the nation comes ahead of a trip to Wales later in the week.

Crowds lining the street outside Hillsborough Castle stood ten-deep behind metal barriers.

And, the area at the front of the gates to the castle had been carpeted with hundreds of floral tribute.

Among the thousands of people waiting to see the King and the Queen Consort was a corgi in the crowd which snuggled up to Charles when its owner held it up during the walkabout by the royal couple.

The pair held a private audience with the government's new Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, as well as meeting representatives of political parties in the region.

The speaker of the Stormont Assembly, Alex Maskey described how the Queen had been part of efforts to build peace in Ireland.

In a message of condolence on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland, he said the Queen had not been “a distant observer” in the transformation and progress of relationships among the people of the country.

Members of the public are already queuing for the Queen’s Lying in State at Westminster Hall, which opens on Wednesday, and thousands are still placing floral tributes in Green Park.

Mourners have been asked by Royal Parks not leave marmalade sandwiches – a nod to the Queen’s comedy sketch with Paddington Bear – for fear of a negative effect on wildlife.

The remarkable life of the Queen remembered in our latest episode of What You Need To Know

Queen's coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace as thousands cheer

Mourners gathered on both sides of the road to watch as the procession made its way through central London before finally passing through the palace gates.

Foreign news reporter @MikeRDrummond

Tuesday 13 September 2022 21:27, UK

Huge crowds lined the streets to watch as the Queen's coffin completed its journey from Edinburgh to Buckingham Palace.

The coffin, draped in the Royal Standard flag, arrived at RAF Northolt in northwest London shortly before 7pm after receiving a guard of honour as it was placed on an aircraft in Edinburgh.

The Princess Royal flew from Edinburgh with her mother's coffin and released a statement saying it was "an honour and a privilege" to accompany the Queen on her final journeys.

On the route into central London, mourners gathered on both sides of the road to watch as the procession went past.

Sources reveal which world leaders are not invited to funeral - latest updates

Some threw flowers towards the black hearse as a mark of respect to the Queen, whose coffin was illuminated within.

Three police motorbikes in tight formation led the way for the cortege, their blue lights flashing.

On the opposite side of the road, traffic was at a standstill and drivers got out of their vehicles to catch a glimpse of the procession as it went past.

The cortege travelled along the A40 and on Westbourne Terrace towards Marble Arch, down Park Lane and Hyde Park Corner and along Constitution Hill.

After a journey of about an hour, the procession drove down The Mall and arrived at Buckingham Palace.

Many people lining the street put down their umbrellas as a sign of respect and some wiped tears from their eyes.

Crowds gathered outside the palace cheered and applauded as the Queen's coffin passed through the gates.

Some called out "hip hip hooray" as the hearse drove under the arch.

Inside, three officers and 101 guardsmen from the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards waited to give the procession the royal salute.

The Queen's coffin will rest in the Bow Room at the palace overnight.

On Wednesday it will be moved to Westminster Hall for the lying in state, which will continue until Monday morning.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners are expected to view the Queen's coffin and pay their respects.

After witnessing the arrival of the Queen's coffin, the King and Queen Consort later left Buckingham Palace.

Related Topics

Queen's final journey - full route as coffin flown to London before 15-mile drive

Fans are expected to line the streets as the oak casket of Queen Elizabeth II continues its final journey towards London after flying 400 miles from Edinburgh Airport

• 21:35, 12 Sep 2022
• Updated 07:39, 13 Sep 2022

Crowds of thousands will turn out on Tuesday as Queen Elizabeth II ’s coffin continues on its final journey to London.

The oak casket will land at RAF Northolt after flying 400 miles from Edinburgh Airport.

And fans will line the streets for the 15-mile journey to Buckingham Palace , where Her Late Majesty will rest for the evening as staff pay their respects.

At 2.22pm on Wednesday, the coffin will be taken on a gun carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery to the Palace of Westminster.

Accompanied by the sound of minute guns fired from Hyde Park by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the cortege will make a trip past London landmarks.

It will travel via Queen’s Gardens, The Mall, Horse Guards and Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square and New Palace Yard.

The Queen will lie in state until 6.30am on the day of her state funeral on Monday.

Over a little less than five days, a million people are expected to visit Westminster Hall to pay their respects.

Queues could reach as long as five miles, while mourners are being warned to expect a wait of up to 30 hours.

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan used a WhatsApp message to MPs to reveal the latest estimates.

Formal details of the queue – which will be open for 24 hours a day – will only be made public at 10pm tonight.

But some patriotic mourners dashed to London yesterday – more than two days before lines officially open at 5pm tomorrow.

Vanessa Nathakumaran, 56, from Harrow, arrived at noon yesterday.

The administrative assistant, who grew up in Sri Lanka before moving to the UK in the 1980s, said her great uncle, Sir Vaithilingam Duraiswamy, was knighted by King George VI.

Her daughter, Praveena, was an air cadet and once met the Queen.

Vanessa said she became interested in the Royal Family while working in London.

She added: “She was very devoted. She has done a service to our country, Britain, and also internationally and the Commonwealth.

“I respect her way of kindness, how she treats everyone equally, the religions and the communities. She sees everyone as equal.

“I really, really want to be part of it. I don’t want to miss it in case they control the crowds if (the queue) gets too long.”

Ms Nathakumaran is planning to have her daughters bring warm clothes and glucose bars to keep her energy up during the wait.

Her Late Majesty will be accompanied by the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, on her journey from Scotland this evening.

At Edinburgh Airport, her coffin will be conveyed on to an RAF C-17 by a bearer party, while The Royal Regiment of Scotland forms a guard of honour.

At RAF Northolt, The Queen’s Colour Squadron will convey the coffin to the state hearse, where it will travel to Buckingham Palace via the A40, Eastbourne Terrace, Lancaster Gate, Bayswater Road, Marble Arch, Park Lane, Hyde Park Corner and Constitution Hill.

Transport bosses warn London will experience “unprecedented travel demand”. Tube stations will have to temporarily close to avoid overcrowding and passengers are urged to avoid Green Park station.

Network Rail, Transport for London and the Rail Delivery Group said: “As Her Majesty’s coffin travels to London to lie in state, it is expected that we will see unprecedented travel demand in the capital, especially from Wednesday, September 14.”

A service will run on the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Abbey Wood on Sunday to ease pressure on the network.

That part of the line, which was opened by the Queen in May, is usually closed on Sundays.

Meanwhile, large numbers are expected to line the streets in Belfast and Royal Hillsborough as the King and Queen Consort visit Northern Ireland today.

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The Queen’s route map today: How coffin gets to Edinburgh Airport and from RAF Northolt to Buckingham Palace

The coffin will remain at st giles’ cathedral until 5pm, giving scottish mourners one last chance to say their goodbyes.

The Queen’s coffin will be taken to London by plane today before she lies in state for five days , giving the public a chance to pay their respects .

It has been lying at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh . Last night the Queen’s children, including King Charles, stood guard over her coffin as they held a vigil at the cathedral in the Scottish capital.

Thousands of mourners queued overnight in Edinburgh to pay their respects to the Queen as she lay at rest, with lines of people stretching for a mile.

Here’s the route the Queen’s coffin will take today, and how you can see it.

What time will the Queen’s coffin leave Edinburgh?

The coffin will remain at St Giles’ Cathedral until 5pm, giving Scottish mourners one last chance to say their goodbyes.

It will then be taken to Edinburgh airport, with people expected to line the streets to catch a glimpse of it.

It will travel past Edinburgh Castle and along Queensferry Road to the airport.

At 6pm the coffin, accompanied by Princess Anne, will be flown in an RAF aircraft to RAF Northolt in west London.

It is expected the coffin will arrive in London by 7pm.

What happens when the coffin arrives in London?

After touching down at RAF Northolt, the coffin will be driven to Buckingham Palace, where the King, the Queen’s Consort, and other royals will meet it.

At RAF Northolt, the Bearer Party and Guard of Honour will be formed by the Queen’s Colour Squadron

The coffin will be driven up the A40 before reaching central London, where it will travel past Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, down Park Lane and past Hyde Park Corner before arriving at the palace.

The full route will be:

• Eastbourne Terrace
• Lancaster Gate
• Bayswater Road
• Marble Arch
• Hyde Park Corner
• Constitution Hill
• Centre Gate Centre Arch of Buckingham Palace

Thousands of mourners are expected to line the streets of the capital to view the Queen’s coffin along the route.

After the coffin is greeted by the royals a guard of honour will be formed by the King’s Guard.

The coffin will be taken to the palace’s Bow Room, where it will watched over by a rota of chaplains overnight.

It is situated in the centre of the West Wing of the palace, behind the Marble Hall and has been used to host visiting dignitaries and garden party guests.

What happens tomorrow?

The Queen’s coffin will be moved to Westminster Hall tomorrow, where the lying-in-state will begin.

The King will lead Wednesday’s procession behind a gun carriage carrying the coffin, which will be draped with the Imperial State Crown.

It will leave Buckingham Palace at 2.22pm for the 38-minute journey to Westminster Hall.

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How long will the Queen lie in state?

Mourners will be able to file past the coffin 24 hours a day from 5pm on Wednesday until 6.30am on the day of the funeral, Monday 19 September.

Lying- in-state is a tradition by which the coffin of a monarch or sometimes a prime minister is placed on view before the funeral.

It allows members of the public to pay their respects to the deceased before the funeral ceremony.

The last time a public figure lay in state was the Queen Mother, whose coffin was state placed in Westminster Hall so people could visit before her funeral in Westminster Abbey on 9 April 2002.

People who wish to attend Westminster Hall have been advised that they will have to stand for many hours, and might have to wait overnight, with huge crowds expected.

There will be very little opportunity to sit down because the queues are likely to be continuously moving, with a first-come-first-served policy in place.

There are expected to be delays on public transport and road closures around the area.

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Queen’s coffin arrives at London's RAF Northolt before travelling to Buckingham Palace

Her grandchildren were expected to be among members of the royal family paying their respects to the late monarch at the palace, raf plane carrying queen elizabeth ii's coffin lands in london.

Queen Elizabeth II dies — follow the latest news as the world mourns

Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin was making its way through London to Buckingham Palace after landing at the Royal Air Force Northolt base shortly before 7pm on Tuesday.

Her grandchildren were expected to be among members of the royal family paying their respects to the late monarch at the palace.

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be standing at the palace’s grand entrance, surrounded by the late monarch’s children and grandchildren and their partners, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and Duke and Duchess of Sussex .

The C-17 Globemaster aircraft arrived at RAF Northolt in north-west London after travelling from Edinburgh.

The aircraft has been used for aid missions in Ukraine and to help evacuate people from Afghanistan when the Taliban returned.

Soon after the large aircraft arrived at the military base, Princess Anne , who accompanied the queen’s coffin back to the capital with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, issued a moving tribute to her mother.

Rehearsals for the procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin in London - in pictures

An early morning rehearsal for the procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin in London. PA

The Princess Royal said she was “fortunate” to be able 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," she said.

“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.”

The UK mourns Queen Elizabeth II - in pictures

A tribute altar for Queen Elizabeth II in Green Park in London. AFP

Before the coffin was carried to a waiting state hearse, the princess royal and her husband left the military plane and stood with Chief of the Air Staff Sir Mike Wigston, while nearby was the Prime Minister Liz Truss and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

On parade was a guard of honour made up of service personnel from the Queen’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force, who presented arms when the coffin was first seen.

The King’s Colour for the Royal Air Force was lowered in salute.

As the hearse carrying the coffin began its journey, people stood silently by the road with some recording the historic moment on their camera phones.

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Queen’s coffin arrives at palace – as it happened

Queen Elizabeth’s coffin will rest overnight in Bow Room as thousands lines London’s streets

• 13 Sept 2022 Summary
• 13 Sept 2022 Princes William and Harry to join King Charles in walking behind coffin to Westminster Hall
• 13 Sept 2022 Details revealed of queueing system to view Queen's coffin
• 13 Sept 2022 Center Parcs announces U-turn over closure plan
• 13 Sept 2022 Queen Elizabeth's coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace
• 13 Sept 2022 Princess Royal says it was a 'privilege' to share her mother's final journeys
• 13 Sept 2022 Queen Elizabeth's coffin arrives at RAF Northolt
• 13 Sept 2022 King Charles’s staff given redundancy notice during church service for Queen
• 13 Sept 2022 Queen Elizabeth's coffin leaves Scotland for London
• 13 Sept 2022 King Charles and the Queen Consort arrive back in London
• 13 Sept 2022 King Charles III departs Belfast for London
• 13 Sept 2022 Queen Elizabeth’s coffin leaves St Giles’ Cathedral at start of journey to Buckingham Palace
• 13 Sept 2022 Thanksgiving service for Queen begins
• 13 Sept 2022 King Charles says Queen Elizabeth 'never ceased to pray for the best of times' for the people of Northern Ireland
• 13 Sept 2022 Prince Andrew heckler charged
• 13 Sept 2022 King Charles arrives in Belfast
• 13 Sept 2022 Republican campaign group planning new protests after arrests of anti-monarchists
• 13 Sept 2022 What happens today
• 13 Sept 2022 What's happening to the Queen's coffin today
• 13 Sept 2022 'An extraordinary outpouring of respect' – deputy Lords speaker
• 13 Sept 2022 Thousands queue overnight in Edinburgh to see Queen's coffin

King Charles’s staff given redundancy notice during church service for Queen

Our colleagues Pippa Crerar and Caroline Davies report on this exclusive story:

Dozens of Clarence House staff have been given notice of their redundancy as the offices of King Charles and the Queen Consort move to Buckingham Palace after the death of the Queen, the Guardian has learned.

Up to 100 employees at the King’s former official residence, including some who have worked there for decades, received notification that they could lose their jobs just as they were working round the clock to smooth his elevation to the throne.

Private secretaries, the finance office, the communications team and household staff are among those who received notice during the thanksgiving service for the Queen, at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Monday, that their posts were on the line.

Read more of this exclusive story: King Charles’s staff given redundancy notice during church service for Queen

Our reporter Emily Dugan is chatting to the crowds of people at Buckingham Palace awaiting the arrival of the hearse carrying the Queen’s coffin:

Small crowds are beginning to gather in the rain outside Buckingham Palace ahead of the arrival of the Queen’s coffin.

Sandra Baker, 78, a former diary secretary to the Cabinet Office under John Major, came with her two daughters to sit close to the palace on The Mall.

Dressed in black under a plastic mac bought in haste at Charing Cross station, she arrived at midday from Orpington to make sure she had a front row spot in her camp chair.

“I just had to come today to see our Queen. I’ve watched everything on television so far and my husband’s recorded it all for me when I get home.”

Evie Page, 3, was one of several children laying flowers next to a cardboard cutout of the Queen on the edge of St James’s park.

Her mother Jodie Page, 40, said: “I just wanted to bring the kids down because it’s a bit of history. I remember coming up when Princess Diana died and laid flowers and it’s a similar thing.”

Evie seemed less convinced by the day’s historical significance. Once her bouquet was down she toddled off to chase squirrels.

Louise Cook, 55, a midwife from Brentwood in Essex, was in prime position under a Union flag umbrella next to the palace gates. It is her first time at any Royal event.

“I’ve always supported or had an affection for the Royal family but nothing they’ve done before ever lured me,” she said. “I’ve always been content to watch it on television.”

She said this moment was different. “She’s given 70 years’ service. The least I can do is pay my respects to her.”

Despite the increasingly heavy rain, she intended to stay until 8pm, when the Queen’s coffin arrives. “I’ll stay until she’s home,” she said.

King Charles III and the Queen’s Consort have arrived at Buckingham Palace after returning from Northern Ireland.

The crowds erupted in cheers and applause as his motorcade of five motorbikes and three cars drove into the palace gates.

Charles could be seen waving as he sat next to Camilla in the car, PA reports.

The Queen’s coffin is currently being flown from Edinburgh and is expected to land in London at around 6.45pm.

Our colleague Libby Brooks has been in Edinburgh talking to people who queued to file past the Queen’s coffin at St Giles’ Cathedral:

Jo Williams was one of the very first to view the Queen’s coffin on Monday, arriving at the Meadows at 5.30am before the official queuing arrangements had started.

Williams, who drove from Manchester and had to hurriedly source a replacement electric wheelchair after her own broke down, said the effort was well worth it.

The moments in the cathedral passing the Queen’s coffin are ones she will remember always: “there was a lot of security of course but when you got inside it felt really calm and dignified. I felt at rest but also emotional: it was like she was there.”

“It was still a shock to see it. She’s the person who’s on our money and ran our country and it’s hard to believe she’s gone.”

A prison officer for 13 years before illness forced her to give up her job, 41-year-old Williams said she was most touched to see the Scottish crown on top of the coffin: “It was such a lovely thing that even though she’s not with us she’s still our Queen.”

“I can’t believe I was able to come here and see her in a wheelchair. I’d never have been able to if she’d been in London.”

In Hillsborough Castle, Alex Maskey, the speaker of the Northern Ireland assembly and a Sinn Féin member, passed on condolences to the new King, while also addressing the political context of the changes in the region during Queen Elizabeth’s lifetime.

King Charles thanked Northern Ireland for the condolences, and said that his mother never ceased to pray for the best of times for its people, “whose sorrows our family had felt”, in a reference to the death of Lord Mountbatten in 1979.

Queen Elizabeth's coffin leaves Scotland for London

The Queen’s coffin has left Edinburgh Airport and is being flown to London.

After landing at RAF Northholt, the coffin will be driven to Buckingham Palace.

The coffin will rest in the Bow Room, before it is moved on Wednesday to lie in state at the Palace of Westminster, where thousands are expected to pay their respects to the Queen.

Its arrival will be witnessed by King Charles III , the Queen Consort, and other members of the royal family at around 8pm.

The Princess Royal has accompanied the Queen’s coffin from Scotland and back to England’s capital city.

Pallbearers from the Queen’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF) carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II .

The coffin is draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland as they carry it into the RAF C17 aircraft at Edinburgh airport.

King Charles and the Queen Consort arrive back in London

King Charles III and the Queen Consort have arrived back in London after their trip to Belfast.

Camilla disembarked the plane beneath a transparent umbrella, while Charles walked behind, PA reports.

Flanked by royal staff, they left in a cavalcade followed by a police car en route to central London.

The Princess Royal , who accompanied the Queen’s Coffin from St Giles Cathedral, has now boarded the aircraft.

The journey to London will take approximately an hour.

The Queen’s procession has now arrived at Edinburgh a irport.

The pallbearers are now moving her coffin onto the plane, before it is flown to RAF Northholt.

• King Charles III
• Queen Elizabeth II

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