Queen Elizabeth II dies: King Charles III leads royal family in procession
ByTheresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
ByTheresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
King Charles III led the royal family Monday in a procession to take the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, ahead of a ceremony to remember the longtime monarch’s life.
Charles was proclaimed king on Saturday morning, two days after Elizabeth, his mother, died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The queen had reigned over the United Kingdom for 70 years, the second-longest of any monarch in the world and the longest in British history.
Update 10:15 a.m. EDT Sept. 12: Elizabeth’s coffin has arrived at St. Giles’ Cathedral, where she will lie in rest until Tuesday.
Quiet crowds gathered along Royal Mile to watch her coffin’s procession on Monday.
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Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland A young girl holds a Paddington bear and a Corgi dog stuffed toys while waiting to watch the Procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile, on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Jon Super - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland People wait to watch the Procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile, on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Jon Super - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland Royal archers march outside St. Giles' Cathedral on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Russell Cheyne - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland Crowds gather near Mercat Cross for the procession of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin To St Giles Cathedral on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland Crowds gather near Mercat Cross for the procession of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin To St Giles Cathedral on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland Crowds gather near Mercat Cross for the procession of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II's coffin To St Giles Cathedral on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland Crowds gather near Mercat Cross for the procession of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin To St Giles Cathedral on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland Britain's King Charles III (L), flanked by Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex walk behind the procession of Queen Elizabeth II's coffin, from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral, on the Royal Mile on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Odd Andersen/WPA Pool/Getty Images) (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland Camilla, Queen Consort follows in the procession of Her Majesty Elizabeth II's Coffin as it heads to St Giles Cathedral, after making its way along The Royal Mile on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Robert Perry/Getty Images) (Robert Perry/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland Royal guards carry Queen Elizabeth's coffin into St Giles Cathedral after its journey from Palace of Holyroodhouse on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland King Charles III, Princess Anne, Princess Royal and Prince Andrew, Duke of York walk behind Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin as it heads to St Giles Cathedral, after making its way along The Royal Mile on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Robert Perry/Getty Images) (Robert Perry/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland King Charles III, Princess Anne, Princess Royal and Prince Andrew, Duke of York walk behind Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin as it heads to St Giles Cathedral, after making its way along The Royal Mile on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Robert Perry/Getty Images) (Robert Perry/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland People gather in tribute as the cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II passes on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) (Peter Summers/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland The hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth departs Holyrood Palace, on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland Members of the public gather to watch the procession of Queen Elizabeth II's coffin, from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral, on the Royal Mile on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Odd Andersen/WPA Pool/Getty Images) (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland King Charles III, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Princess Anne, Princess Royal take part in the procession of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin as it heads to St Giles Cathedral, after making its way along The Royal Mile on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland People watch the Procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin followed by King Charles III, Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images) (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland People gather in tribute as the cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II passes on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) (Peter Summers/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland Britain's King Charles III, flanked by Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex walk behind the procession of Queen Elizabeth II's coffin, from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral, on the Royal Mile on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Odd Andersen/WPA Pool/Getty Images) (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Crowds watch procession for Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Scotland Crowds watch procession of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin as it heads to St Giles Cathedral, after making its way along The Royal Mile on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III joins the procession accompanying Her Majesty The Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family also attend a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen where it lies in rest for 24 hours before being transferred by air to London. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Update 9:50 a.m. EDT Sept. 12: Charles was joined by his siblings, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York; Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex; and Princess Anne.
The king will lead other members of the royal family in a procession later Monday behind Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin as it’s transported from Holyroodhouse to St. Giles’ Cathedral. Buckingham Palace officials said a service will be held at the cathedral to receive the queen’s coffin, followed by a service for thanksgiving of her life.
Elizabeth will lie at rest in St. Giles’ Cathedral Monday to allow members of the public to pay their respects. On Tuesday, her coffin will leave the cathedral for Buckingham Palace, officials said.
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Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Britain's Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, watch as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped with the Royal Standard of Scotland, completes its journey from Balmoral to the Palace of Holyroodhouse on September 11, 2022, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. (Aaron Chown/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Prince Edward, Duke of Wessex, and Princess Anne, Princess Royal, receive the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Palace of Holyroodhouse, where she will lie overnight and then be moved to St Giles Catherdral on September 11, 2022, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. (Lisa Ferguson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh Pallbearers carry the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as the hearse arrives at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on September 11, 2022, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. (Alkis Konstantinidis/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh Pallbearers carry the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as the hearse arrives at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on September 11, 2022, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. (Alkis Konstantinidis/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh Pallbearers carry the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as the hearse arrives at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on September 11, 2022, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. (Alkis Konstantinidis/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh The hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, where she will lie overnight and then be moved to St Giles Catherdral on September 11, 2022, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. (Lisa Ferguson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh The cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II passes St Giles' Cathedral on its way to Palace of Holyroodhouse on September 11, 2022, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh Crowds watch the cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II by Mercat Cross on September 11, 2022, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. (Ian Forsyth - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh Crowds gather as the cortege carrying the Coffin Carrying Queen Elizabeth II passes over the King George VI bridge on its way from Balmoral to Edinburgh on September 11, 2022, in Aberdeen, United Kingdom. (Steve Welsh/Getty Images)
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and leaders of the Scottish political parties join members of the public as the cortege with the hearse carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, draped with the Royal Standard of Scotland, passes down the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, on the journey from Balmoral to the Palace of Holyroodhouse on September 11, 2022, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. (Andrew O'Brien/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh People gather on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh to watch the cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, draped with the Royal Standard of Scotland, as it completes its journey from Balmoral to the Palace of Holyroodhouse on September 11, 2022, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. (Jamie Williamson/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh The cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II passes St Giles' Cathedral on its way to Palace of Holyroodhouse on September 11, 2022, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh People gather in tribute as the cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II passes over the Queensferry Crossing road bridge on September 11, 2022, in South Queensferry, United Kingdom. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
