The Queen has died, ending the longest reign in British history.
She died peacefully, surrounded by her family at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
In the days ahead, here’s what we expect for her lying in state and her state funeral, as people from around the UK pay their respects.
Scottish journey
The Queen’s coffin will depart Balmoral estate in the coming days for the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh – the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
From here it will be taken in procession to St Giles’ Cathedral, where the Queen will lie at rest, allowing the public to view her coffin.
Scottish political correspondent Andrew Learmonth told RNZ’s Saturday Morning although details were yet to be confirmed for Operation Unicorn – returning the Queen to Britain – schools on Royal Mile said they would be closed on Monday and Tuesday.
“We can probably deduce from that that is probably when the ceremonies will kick off, her body is going to move from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, halfway up the Royal Mile, to St Giles’ Cathedral where she’s going to lie in state for 24 hours and members of the public will be able to go in and pay tribute,” Learmonth said.
“I think the council and police are expecting thousands of people to line the streets and thousands of peple to try and do just that [pay tribute].”
Charles was expected to be at the Scottish Parliament where there would be a motion of condolence as part of his proclamation, he said.
“Those who know Edinburgh – it’s all so close together, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is opposite from the Scottish Parliament, which is just down a bit from St Giles’ Cathedral.”
The coffin will then move to London, ready for the lying in state.
The Queen’s lying in state
The Queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall for about four days before her funeral, allowing members of the public to file past and pay their respects.
The grand hall is the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster, at the heart of British government.
The last member of the Royal Family to lie in state in the hall was the Queen Mother in 2002, when more than 200,000 people queued to view her coffin.
The Queen’s coffin will rest on a raised platform, known as a catafalque, beneath the 11th Century hall’s medieval timber roof. Each corner of the platform will be guarded by soldiers from units that serve the Royal Household.
She will be brought to Westminster Hall from Buckingham Palace in a slow procession, accompanied by a military parade and members of the Royal Family.
People will also be able to watch the procession as it passes through the streets and big screens broadcasting events are likely to be set up in London’s Royal Parks.
Her coffin will be draped in the Royal Standard and once in Westminster Hall it will be topped with the Imperial State Crown, orb and sceptre.
Once the coffin is placed in position in the hall, a short service will be held. Afterwards the public will be allowed to enter.
When is the Queen’s funeral?
The Queen’s state funeral is expected to take place at Westminster Abbey in less than two weeks. The exact day will be confirmed by Buckingham Palace.
The Abbey is the historic church where Britain’s kings and queens are crowned, including the Queen’s coronation in 1953, and where she had married Prince Philip in 1947.
There hasn’t been a monarch’s funeral service in the Abbey since the 18th Century, although the funeral of the Queen’s mother was held there in 2002.
Heads of state from across the world will be flying in to join members of the Royal Family to remember the life and service of the Queen. Senior UK politicians and former prime ministers will also be there.
London correspondent Vincent McAviney told RNZ’s Saturday Morning it is expected all Commonwealth leaders will attend as well as many others including US President John Biden.
“It is potentially the largest gathering of world leaders for a funeral and one of the biggest funerals in history.”
The day will begin as the Queen’s coffin is carried from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy.
The gun carriage was last seen in 1979 for the funeral of Prince Philip’s uncle, Lord Mountbatten, drawn by 142 sailors from the Royal Navy.
Senior members of the Royal Family, including the new King, are likely to follow in procession.
The service will likely be conducted by the Dean of Westminster David Hoyle, with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby giving the sermon. Prime Minister Liz Truss may be called on to read a lesson.
Following the funeral service, the Queen’s coffin will be drawn in a walking procession from the abbey to Wellington Arch, at London’s Hyde Park Corner before heading to Windsor by hearse.
The Queen’s coffin will make its final journey that afternoon to St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The King and senior members of the Royal Family are expected to join the procession in the Quadrangle in Windsor Castle before the coffin enters St George’s Chapel for a committal service.
St George’s Chapel is the church regularly chosen by the Royal Family for weddings, christenings and funerals. It is where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, got married and where the Queen’s late husband Prince Philip’s funeral was held.
The Queen’s coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault before being interred in the King George VI memorial chapel, located inside St George’s Chapel.
-BBC / RNZ
