Queen funeral latest: Coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace as mourners line streets

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II has arrived at Buckingham Palace, where it will be received by King Charles III and other senior royals.

The Queen’s coffin was brought from St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh on Tuesday, on a journey marked by huge lines of mourners filling the streets of the two capital cities.

The new monarch returned to Buckingham Palace from Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening, where he told Stormont leaders that his mother “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”.

His words came as the chief of anti-monarchy group Republic, Graham Smith, labelled the arrests of protesters a “scandal” and said to expect further demonstrations.

The accession of a new king is a “political act and one that goes to the heart of what is wrong with the monarchy”, he said. “It is absolutely everyone’s right to protest and speak out on any issue they please and the police must protect that right, not trample all over it.”

Key Points

• RAF plane carrying Queen’s coffin lands in London

• Solemn crowds applaud as Queen’s coffin leaves St Giles’ Cathedral

• Republic says more anti-monarchy protests are on the way

• Demonstrators hold blank pieces paper in defence of right to protest opposite St Giles Cathedral

• Prince Andrew heckler charged with ‘breach of the peace’ after incident at Edinburgh Queen procession

• Scores of people begin queuing to see Queen’s coffin in London

Queen’s coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace to cheers and applause

20:10 , Andy Gregory

The Queen’s coffin has arrived at Buckingham Palace, where crowds gathered outside in the rain and wind to pay their respects, with some cheering and applauding.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly joining the senior royals waiting inside the palace to receive the Queen’s coffin, which will remain overnight in the palace’s Bow Room before being taken to Westminster Hall tomorrow.

Queen arrives at Buckingham Palace as Harry and Meghan join royals to receive coffin

Queen’s coffin approaches Buckingham Palace

20:04 , Andy Gregory

The hearse carrying the Queen’s coffin is approaching Buckingham Palace, where it will be received by King Charles III and other senior royals.

‘It just takes one person to do something abhorrent’: Intense security operation for Queen’s lying in state

19:44 , Andy Gregory

A former counter-terror police officer has warned that it “just takes one person to do something abhorrent” as security preparations intensify for the Queen’s lying in state.

Warning of a threat of lone terror attacks, Nick Aldworth, who led the “protect and prepare” strand of national counter-terrorism policing until his retirement in May 2019, told The Independent: “It just takes one car, one person to do something abhorrent and not only have you disrupted a constitutional event, people will be injured and killed.

“Operation London Bridge has its genesis in a time that is no longer relevant [to the current terror threat] and my caution to the Metropolitan Police would be to remember that.”

Our home affairs editor Lizzie Dearden reports:

Intense security operation mounted for Queen’s lying in state

King Charles loses his temper at leaking pen during Northern Ireland visit

19:36 , Andy Gregory

King Charles vented his frustration at a leaky pen during a signing ceremony in Northern Ireland earlier today, my colleague Oliver Browning reports.

The new monarch initially wrote down the wrong date as he signed a visitors’ book in front of cameras at Belfast’s Hillsborough Castle, before his pen started leaking ink.

Queen’s coffin begins final leg of journey to Buckingham Palace

19:26 , Andy Gregory

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

The Royal Standard is now draped over the coffin, instead of the Royal Standard of Scotland which adorned it before. Officials said the flags were discreetly switched while the Queen was in transit from Edinburgh.

An official hearse carrying the Queen's coffin left the airfield at RAF Northolt to complete the journey to Buckingham Palace. A cavalcade transporting the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence followed close behind.

‘Nearly six million people' attempt to track flight carrying Queen’s coffin

19:15 , Andy Gregory

Flight tracking website Flightradar24 said “nearly six million people attempted to follow” the flight carrying the Queen’s coffin from Edinburgh to RAF Northolt in London.

The number of people attempting to track the plane caused the website to run into problems, but not before some 600,000 were able to briefly follow.

Flight KRF01R was the most-tracked flight in the world on Flightradar24 once the website recovered, with over 350,000 watching the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III as it moved south through the UK, having left Edinburgh at 5:42pm on Tuesday.

Plane carrying Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin lands in London

18:59 , Andy Gregory

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.

You can read more details of her final journey to the palace here:

Queen’s coffin arrives in London for final journey to Buckingham Palace

What will happen to money following the Queen's death?

18:33 , Andy Gregory

Coins and banknotes in the UK are set to bear the image of King Charles III, in a process set to take up to two years.

Those featuring the image of Queen Elizabeth II will continue to be legal tender, the Bank of England has confirmed.

‘Honour and privilege’ to accompany late Queen on ‘her final journeys’, says Princess Anne

18:30 , Andy Gregory

The Princess Royal, who is accompanying the Queen’s coffin on the journey from Scotland to London, has issued a statement paying tribute to her late mother, saying: “It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys.”

Royal regiment performs the national anthem as Queen Elizabeth's coffin leaves Scotland for the final time

18:15 , Andy Gregory

As the Queen’s coffin left Scotland for the final time, the Royal Regiment could be heard playing the national anthem.

Watch: King and Queen Consort meet political leaders in Northern Ireland

17:55 , Andy Gregory

King Charles and the Queen Consort have met with Northern Ireland's political leaders at Hillsborough Castle, in the first visit by a King to the region in 80 years, reports Mary-Kate Findon.

Footage shows Camilla shaking hands with first minister-designate, and Sinn Fein leader, Michelle O’Neill and DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, among others.

Queen’s coffin leaves Scotland for Buckingham Palace to lie in state in London

17:48 , Andy Gregory

The Queen has left Scotland for the final time as her coffin travels by plane to Buckingham Palace, my colleague Holly Bancroft reports from Edinburgh.

The Princess Royal accompanied the late monarch as she was moved from St Giles’ cathedral to Edinburgh airport by road. Princess Anne will now travel with the Queen’s coffin as it is taken by Royal Air Force aircraft to RAF Northolt.

The Queen’s coffin leaves Scotland for Buckingham Palace to lie in state in London

King touches down in London after pledging to ‘seek the welfare’ of all Northern Ireland’s people

17:37 , Andy Gregory

The King and the Queen Consort have landed at RAF Northolt after flying from Belfast City Airport, ahead of the arrival of the Queen’s coffin in the capital later this evening.

During his visit to Northern Ireland, the new monarch pledged to “seek the welfare” of all Northern Ireland’s people and described how his family have felt their “sorrows” as the Queen’s peacebuilding efforts were praised.

The King, responding at Hillsborough Castle to a message of condolence on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland from Stormont Assembly speaker Alex Maskey, spoke poignantly about the Queen.

“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,” he 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.”

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.”

Police chiefs issue guidance for officers over anti-monarchy protests

17:26 , Andy Gregory

Police chiefs have issued guidance for officers on how the right to protest should be “balanced” against “those who wish to grieve and reflect” following the Queen’s death, amid concern over the arrest of anti-monarchy demonstrators.

A National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesperson said: “The ability to protest is a fundamental part of democracy and it is a long-established right in this country.

“We know some people want to protest on a range of issues during this time of national mourning, and officers must balance these rights against those who wish to grieve and reflect. We have issued guidance to forces on how they should do this, in order to ensure a national consistency of approach.

“Policing strives to ensure decision making is consistent and fair, and is accountable to the law. Ultimately however, each event or protest has to be assessed on its own unique circumstances. That assessment does not include the cause or issue for the protest – all groups or causes are treated impartially”.

Analysis | King Charles’s soft power stretched to its limits in Northern Ireland

17:13 , Andy Gregory

As part of The Independent’s Politics Explained series, our associate editor Sean O’Grady writes:

“It takes a moment to appreciate the remarkable nature of the King’s reception in the stately rooms of Hillsborough Castle.

“Not so long ago, the idea that a British monarch and consort could exchange small talk with the political representatives of armed Irish republicanism would have been unthinkable. Nor would words of Irish have been spoken at such an official event, and certainly not by a former member of the Provisional IRA, Alex Maskey, now the speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

“A half-century or so ago, Maskey was interned without trial by authorities acting in the name of the Queen; now, he delivers condolences on her death to her son.”

You can read his analysis in full with Independent Premium:

King Charles’s soft power stretched to its limits in Northern Ireland

Watch: Princess Anne follows Queen’s coffin as it leaves St Giles’ Cathedral

17:01 , Andy Gregory

My colleague Holly Bancroft reports from Edinburgh:

Crowds on the Royal Mile broke out into applause as the Queen’s coffin passed them for the final time. The Princess Royal was in a car following the procession as it headed to Edinburgh airport, before it will then head to Buckingham Palace.

The Queen’s cortège was followed by a marching band of bagpipers and drummers and then finally members of the Royal Company of Archers, the monarch’s personal bodyguard.

NHS leaders call on government to pay for Queen’s funeral bank holiday staffing costs

16:47 , Andy Gregory

NHS leaders have called on the government to compensate health services as the Queen’s funeral bank holiday means they must pay staff who are working more, reports our health correspondent Rebecca Thomas.

Thousands of patients are set to be impacted as trusts postpone all outpatient appointments and planned operations because of reduced staffing levels. The public holiday announced for Monday will also see GP surgeries close.

NHS leaders call on government to pay for Queen’s funeral bank holiday staffing costs

Crowds line Edinburgh streets as Queen’s coffin leaves for London

16:33 , Andy Gregory

Huge crowds have lined the streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town as a hearse carrying the Queen’s coffin departed St Giles’ Cathedral.

As the late monarch’s coffin passed along the Royal Mile and beneath the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, thousands of mourners stood by silently, some of them applauding as others bowed their heads.

Tory former minister writes to police over Edinburgh protester charged with ‘breach of peace'

16:25 , Andy Gregory

Conservative MP David Davis has written to Police Scotland to express his “hope that the police will continue to respect the right to free speech”, after a man arrested for heckling Prince Andrew on the Royal Mile yesterday was charged with a “breach of the peace”.

In a letter to Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone, the former minister said he spoke “as a strong monarchist”, adding: “But nevertheless, I hope that members of the public will remain free to share their opinions and protest in regard to issues about which they feel strongly.”

Wimbledon food bank hubs to close on Queen’s funeral day

16:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Wimbledon Food Bank has announced that all their food bank hubs will be closed on Monday 19 September due to the funeral.

Woman charged over monarchy protest says she was ‘wrongfully arrested’ for exercising rights

16:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

An anti-monarchy protester charged with a criminal offence after demonstrating at the proclamation of the new King has said she was “exercising her rights”.

Mariángela, who only wishes her first name to be made public, said she was holding a sign reading “f*** imperialism, abolish monarchy” when police intervened during the ceremony in Edinburgh on Sunday.

“I was wrongfully arrested while exercising my right to protest,” she added. “Holding a sign, I condemned the centuries of colonial injustice, genocide, and unlawful extraction that have been - and continue to be - carried out in the name of the British Crown.”

Our home affairs editor, Lizzie Dearden, has more:

Woman charged over royal protest speaks out on ‘wrongful arrest’

Demonstrators hold blank pieces paper in defence of right to protest opposite St Giles Cathedral

15:51 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Niamh, 23, was stood with a group of activists across from St Giles’ cathedral, holding up a blank piece of white cloth and blank pieces of paper.

He spoke to our reporter Holly Bancroft, who is on the scene at Edinburgh.

She told The Independent: “No matter what’s going on everyone should have the right to protest. Somebody got arrested here for holding up a sign and we think that no matter what your sign says - if a new King has been announced and you are a republican - you shouldn’t be arrested.

“We think it’s dangerous how much protest has been vilified in the public eye. If you don’t have the right to protest, you don’t have a democracy.”

Quan, 30, who was stood next to her, explained: “We’re friends and we live in Edinburgh. We’re loose collection of activists across the city and across Scotland. Concerned citizens. We are here to defend the right to protest and free speech.”

Crowds build on the Royal Mile to see the coffin pass one last time

15:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

In Edinburgh, our reporter Holly Bancroft is on the scene:

The Royal Company of Archers is marching down the Royal Mile on their way to move the Queen’s Coffin from St Giles’ Cathedral, where it is lying in rest.

The crowds have begun to build, in anticipation of the coffin processing through the streets of Edinburgh for the final time.

Republic CEO says more anti-monarchy protests are on the way

15:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The CEO of Republic, a campaign to replace the monarchy with an elected head of state, has said there will be more protests at the coronation and Prince William’s investiture as the Prince of Wales.

Graham Smith posted a video on Twitter calling the arrests of anti-monarchy protestors a “scandal”.

He said the accession of a new king is a “political act and one that goes to the heart of what is wrong with the monarchy.

“It is absolutely everyone’s right to protest and speak out on any issue they please and the police must protect that right, not trample all over it.”

Sinn Fein vice president tells King she hopes British-Irish relationship ‘strengthens and evolves'

15:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill told the King she was sorry for his deep loss when she met him at Hillsborough Castle.

She told him: “Her life and legacy will be fondly remembered by those of a British identity here who with great pride and devotion held her very dear.

“She led by example in advancing peace and recombination and the building of relationships with those of us who are Irish, and who share a different political allegiance and aspirations to herself and her Government.

“I hope this continues now that you are King and the British-Irish relationship strengthens and evolves as one era ends, and a new one begins in these changing times.”

Duchess of Sussex praised for taking snub from Windsor crowd in her stride

14:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has been praised for remaining composed despite apparent hostility from some members of the crowd as she greeted members of the public following the late Queen’s death.

She was joined by her husband Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and the Prince and Princess of Wales as they visited Windsor Castle gates to view the floral tributes left by the crowd.

Footage shows one woman looking down as Meghan smiles at her, with another woman turning her head away avoiding the duchess’s gaze.

Duchess of Sussex praised for taking snub from Windsor crowd in her stride

Watch: Royal Standard raised over Northern Ireland’s Hillsborough Castle as King Charles arrives

14:10 , Aisha Rimi

King Charles and Queen Consort hear message of condolence in Belfast

14:00 , Aisha Rimi

King Charles and the Queen Consort received a message of condolence on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland from the speaker of the Stormont Assembly Alex Maskey.

The message was delivered in the Throne Room in a ceremony which was attended by invited guests, representing the Northern Ireland community.

Mr Maskey

said: “King Charles, during this period of public mourning for Queen Elizabeth we are mindful your family’s grieve on the passing of a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother.

“I hope you and your family can take comfort from the appreciation and the warmth that has accompanied tributes to the Queen across these islands and indeed across the world.

“I would like to sympathise you with you at this difficult time.”

He added that the Queen “personally demonstrated how individual acts of positive leadership can help break down barriers, and encourage reconciliation”.

“She showed how a small but significant gesture, a visit, a handshake, crossing the street, or speaking a few words of Irish, can make a huge difference in changing attitudes and building relationships,” he said.

Watch: Royal Standard raised over Northern Ireland’s Hillsborough Castle as King Charles arrives

13:50 , Aisha Rimi

In pictures: King Charles meets well-wishers outside Hillsborough

13:40 , Aisha Rimi

King Charles and the Queen Consort greeted the crowds outside Hillsborough Castle, before admiring the floral tributes left by members of the public.

King Charles III shakes well-wishers hands in Northern Ireland

13:30 , Aisha Rimi

King Charles III shook the hands of well-wishers upon his arrival to Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland.

After landing in Belfast, the King and the Queen Consort travelled to their royal residence in County Down to meet with members of the public and political leaders.

The speaker of the Stormont Assembly will express a message of condolence to the King for the loss of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.

His Majesty will then travel back to Belfast for a service of remembrance at St Anne’s Cathedral.

King Charles III shakes hands of well-wishers during Northern Ireland visit

Around 26,000 people viewed the Queen’s coffin in Edinburgh

13:20 , Aisha Rimi

The queue to view the Queen’s coffin at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh has closed, the Scottish Government has said.

Some 26,000 people have viewed the late monarch’s coffin since Monday, a tweet from the government said.

The Queen’s coffin will be taken from the cathedral to Edinburgh Airport on Tuesday afternoon, bound for London.

The Scottish Government has asked that people do not attempt to join the queue, and endeavours will be made to ensure all those already waiting will be able to view the coffin before the lying at rest ends at 3pm.

“The queue has now closed. Please do not attempt to join the queue,” the government said on Twitter.

“Over 26,000 people have already had a chance to pay their last respects.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure that those currently in the queue can do so before 3pm, when the Lying at Rest will end.”

Almost half of Britons say they have cried over Queen’s death

13:00 , Aisha Rimi

Almost half of people in Britain have cried over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, according to a new survey.

Some 44 per cent said they had had shed tears or welled up in the wake of the monarch dying, a YouGov poll of over 3,200 British adults found.

Her Majesty died peacefully on 8 September at Balmoral Castle in Scotland aged 96.

Her funeral is set to take place on Monday, which will be a national bank holiday.

My colleague Furvah Shah reports:

Almost half of Britons say they have cried over Queen’s death

Thousands of troops stage early-morning rehearsal for Queen’s coffin procession in London

12:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Final preparations for events in London following the death of the Queen are underway with a full rehearsal for the procession of her coffin to Westminster Hall taking place in central London.

Thousands of soldiers in ceremonial uniform gathered at Buckingham Palace in the early hours of Tuesday for the practice run.

The Queen’s coffin will arrive in London from Scotland on Tuesday evening, and will remain in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace overnight before being taken to lie in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday.

Read more:

Thousands of troops stage early-morning rehearsal for Queen’s procession in London

In pictures: King Charles III lands in Belfast

12:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

King Charles III was met by Lord Lieutenant of Belfast Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle as he arrived at Belfast City Airport in Northern Ireland.

NPCC statement on European fixtures this week

12:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC Lead for Football Policing, said: “Since the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the UK has activated a national policing operation. UK Policing is working closely with other organisations to ensure that events are held safely and with the appropriate security.

“Over the past few days, we have been working with UEFA, police forces, other emergency services and a number of other relevant groups to make sure as many European competition games as possible can go ahead. This has to be balanced with the requirements for the national events and core policing. With the support of UEFA and the relevant clubs, the majority of games, as it stands, can go ahead as planned. Full details are on the relevant club websites.

“This is a unique situation, and we are working closely with everyone involved.”

King Charles III’s flight watched by more than 50,000 people

12:14 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The King and Queen Consort’s flight was watched by more than 50,000 people on a flight-tracking website as it landed in Belfast.

Flight KRH21R was the most-tracked flight in the world on FlightRadar24, with over 53,000 watching the Embraer Legacy 600 jet as it landed at Belfast City Airport at 11.55am - having left Edinburgh at 11.24am.

The same plane, registration G-LEGC, carried Charles on his first flight as king from Aberdeen to RAF Northolt on Friday and he also boarded it on his way from the South Ruislip airbase to Edinburgh on Monday.

King Charles III lands in Belfast

12:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

King Charles III and the Queen Consort have landed in Belfast.

They will travel to Hillsborough Castle in Co Down, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, for several engagements.

King Charles III and Queen Consort head to Belfast for a day of royal engagements

11:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

King Charles III and his Queen Consort have left Edinburgh for Belfast - the next leg of their tour of the home nations where they will receive a message of condolence from the people of Northern Ireland.

Charles and Camilla’s departure from the Palace of Holyroodhouse came after the new monarch and his siblings staged a vigil around their mother’s coffin on Monday evening at St Giles’ Cathedral.

After touching down in Belfast, Charles and Camilla will travel to Hillsborough Castle in Co Down, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, for several engagements.

The King will hold a private audience with the new Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris as well as meeting representatives of political parties in the region.

The couple will then receive a message of condolence on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland from the speaker of the Stormont Assembly Alex Maskey.

They will then go to a reception at the castle, hosted by Mr Heaton-Harris, which some members of the public will also attend.

Charles and Camilla will then travel to St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast where they will attend a service of reflection for the life of the Queen.

The new monarch will also meet leaders from all the major faiths in Northern Ireland.

Before leaving, Charles and Camilla will undertake a walkabout at Writers’ Square near St Anne’s Cathedral.

Putin among few world leaders not invited to Queen’s funeral

11:29 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia is among just three countries that will not receive a single invite to the Queen’s state funeral on Monday, Whitehall sources have said.

Get the latest on the breaking news story here:

Putin not invited to Queen’s funeral

King Charles III boards flight to Belfast

11:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The King has boarded his flight to Belfast from Edinburgh, where he will meet with Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O’Neill at Hillsborough Castle.

Man claims police officer warned him about arrest if he wrote ‘not my King’ on placard

11:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Prince Andrew heckler charged with ‘breach of the peace’ after incident at Edinburgh Queen procession

11:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A man arrested for heckling Prince Andrew as the Queen’s funeral cortege passed along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile has been charged.

The 22-year-old man, who was not named by Police Scotland, is accused of a “breach of the peace” - the same offence used to charge a woman who held up an “abolish monarchy” sign during the proclamation of Charles III on Sunday.

Our home affairs editor Lizzie Dearden reports:

Prince Andrew heckler charged with ‘breach of the peace’

King leaves Edinburgh and heads to Belfast

10:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The King has left the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

The new monarch took an alternative route than expected, opting not to drive up the Royal Mile and past St Giles’ Cathedral, where small crowds had gathered.

He will travel to Edinburgh Airport, where he will board a flight to Belfast.

‘Be calm’ and prepare for large crowds, former Tory leader says of Westminster queues

10:44 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Former Tory leader Lord Hague said it is best not to “spread the idea” that queues for the Queen’s lying in state will be a “terrible problem”.

He told Times Radio: “It’s very hard to tell in terms of the numbers, isn’t it, if you’re preparing for this event, but I think it’s best to be calm and for the police and others to calmly organise for that, and not really try to spread the idea, ‘oh, it’s going to be a terrible problem, it’s going to be overcrowded, you’re going to have to wait too long’.

“That could also be quite counterproductive, where people then say, ‘oh, well if it’s going to be such great crowds, we’ve got to be there’.

“Or if telling us not to go, well, ‘then we want to go’ - that’s quite a British reaction to say, ‘in that case, we’re going’.

“It will be exceptional. Of course, it is a once-in-a-lifetime event. So there will be vast crowds, as was seen in Edinburgh, the huge crowds yesterday.

“I think everybody - all the organisers, policemen should knuckle under to calmly preparing, and don’t try to second guess the public too much on this.”

Scores of people begin queuing to see Queen’s coffin in London

10:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

People have already started queueing to see the Queen Elizabeth II coffin lying in state in London.

Well-wishers began on the south side of Lambeth Bridge on Monday, 12 September, where the entrance to the queue is expected to be set up - two days before the line opens.

Millions are expected to wait to pay their respects to the late monarch, whose coffin will lie in Westminster Hall from 5pm on Wednesday until the morning of the funeral on 19 September.

Scores of people begin queuing to see Queen’s coffin in London

Nicola Sturgeon reveals ‘tense’ moment with Queen’s corgis

10:08 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has revealed a “tense” moment she witnessed with Queen Elizabeth II’s corgis.

Speaking at the Scottish Parliament on Monday (12 September) in front of King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, Sturgeon recalled a time she and her husband Peter visited the Queen at Balmoral.

“Recently other leaders have shared stories from Balmoral, of barbeques cooked by Prince Philip as the Queen leads the table. These are memories I treasure too, special times of what was clearly their happy place,” Sturgeon began.

“I did however experience one rather tense moment at Balmoral,” she added.

Nicola Sturgeon reveals ‘tense’ moment with Queen’s corgis

Princess Anne makes history by standing guard over the Queen’s coffin for Vigil of the Princes

09:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Princess Anne has made history by becoming the first royal woman to take part in the Vigil of the Princes, which has until now been carried out by male members of the royal family.

On Monday (12 August), all four of Queen Elizabeth II’s children gathered around her coffin for a vigil inside the St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.

Princess Anne wore her navy ceremonial uniform for the event.

During the ceremony, King Charles III and his siblings – the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex – took their places at the four sides of the oak coffin, which was draped in the Lion Rampart and flag of St Andrew’s, and adorned with the Crown of Scotland.

Peony Hirwani has more:

Princess Anne makes history by standing guard over the Queen’s coffin

In pictures: Public gather to see the Queen lying in state in Edinburgh and London

09:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Thousands of mourners have lined the streets of Edinburgh to pay respects to the Queen’s coffin, as it lies in state in St Giles’ Cathedral.

The coffin will be flown from Scotland to London on Tuesday evening and will lie in state in Westminster Hall until the morning of the funeral on Monday.

Members of the public and security have started to gather in central London as they wait and prepare for massive crowds who will flock to see the late Queen.

Footage shows Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation in resurfaced clip

09:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Footage of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 has resurfaced, showing the late monarch as a 25-year-old at the start of her 70-year-reign.

Charles becomes first King to visit Northern Ireland for 80 years

09:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

King Charles III will carry out a number of engagements in Northern Ireland on Tuesday as part of the new monarch’s programme of visits across the UK.

Ahead of the visit, members of the Northern Ireland Assembly will return to Stormont on Monday for a special sitting where tributes to the Queen will be paid and a book of condolence opened.

In a letter to MLAs, speaker Alex Maskey said it was right that representatives should meet to pay tribute as the death of the Queen was a “historic global event”.

Read more here:

Charles becomes first King to visit Northern Ireland for 80 years

Royal expert explains why Prince Harry might not be allowed to wear military uniform to Queen’s vigil

08:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Royal biographer Hugo Vickers has explained why Prince Harry cannot wear military uniform at Queen Elizabeth II’s vigil.

The expert discussed the matter during Tuesday’s (13 September) episode of Good Morning Britain.

On Monday (12 September), it was reported that the Duke of Sussex had been denied the chance to wear military uniform as he mourns the Queen, even though his disgraced uncle the Duke of York will be permitted to do so at the vigil.

Harry, who saw action on the front line during two tours of duty in Afghanistan, will be in civilian dress for official events, including the late monarch’s state funeral.

My colleague Maanya Sachdeva has more:

Royal expert explains furore over Prince Harry and Andrew’s uniform

Troops stage early morning rehearsal for Queen’s coffin procession in London

08:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Final preparations for events in London following the death of the Queen are under way with a full rehearsal for the procession of the her coffin to Westminster Hall taking place in central London.

Thousands of soldiers in ceremonial uniform gathered at Buckingham Palace in the early hours of Tuesday for the practice run.

The Queen’s coffin will arrive in London from Scotland on Tuesday evening, and will remain in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace overnight before being taken to lie in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday.

The early-morning rehearsal saw the horse-drawn carriage of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery being led along the route.

A black coffin was placed on the gun carriage and, at around 4am, the procession was ordered to march and the carriage, pulled by seven black horses, made its way via Queen’s Gardens, The Mall, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square and New Palace Yard.

Many of central London’s streets were sealed off for the massive operation.

The real procession begins at 2.22pm on Wednesday, and it will last 38 minutes.

King Charles III, members of the royal family and senior staff of the Queen and King’s households are expected to walk behind the coffin.

Mourners in Edinburgh rose early to see Queen lying in state

08:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Mourners in Edinburgh were up early queueing to see the Queen lying in state at St Giles’ Cathedral.

Our reporter, Holly Bancroft, was on the scene in Edinburgh, where a long line had already formed at six o’clock this morning.

“The wait time to get into the cathedral was around thirty minutes,” she reported.

“There was a line going down the whole length of George IV bridge road but it was moving pretty fast.”

‘Thousands of hospital appointments cancelled’ because of Queen’s funeral

07:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Thousands of hospital appointments have been cancelled because of Queen Elizabeth II‘s funeral on 19 September, which has been declared a bank holiday.

Several NHS trusts have urged all “non-urgent” procedures and appointments” to be postponed, including replacement surgeries, eye surgery, maternity checks and cancer treatments, according to the independent global media platform openDemocracy.

Several patients waiting months for their surgery had their appointment cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports:

‘Thousands of hospital appointments cancelled’ because of Queen’s funeral

London bridge security guard stuns commuters with opera tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

07:15 , Namita Singh

Commuters at London Bridge underground station were stunned by an impromptu opera performance by a security guard in tribute of Queen Elizabeth II.

A video of the moment when Anna Lapwood, an organist and director of music at Cambridge University, was joined by security guard Marcella for a rendition of “Lascia Ch’io Pianga” has since gone viral on social media.

In a tweet, Ms Lapwood said: “Spontaneously stopped off at the London Bridge station organ to play a couple of pieces for the Queen. This lovely security guard, Marcella, asked if I could play Lascia ch’io pianga. Turns out she trained as a singer!”

Onlookers were left stunned by the performance of the song, which translates from Italian to “let me cry,” and was posted online on Sunday.

Furvah Shah reports:

London Bridge security guard stuns commuters with opera tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

King Charles to visit Northern Ireland for the first time as monarch

07:01 , Namita Singh

King Charles III, on his Operation Spring Tide tour around the UK with the Queen Consort, will travel to Northern Ireland for the first time as monarch today.

After touching down in Belfast, Charles and Camilla are to travel to Hillsborough Castle in Co Down, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, for several engagements.

They will hold a private audience with the new Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, as well as meeting representatives of political parties in the region.

The couple will then receive a message of condolence on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland from the speaker of the Stormont Assembly Alex Maskey.

They will then go to a reception at the castle, hosted by Mr Heaton-Harris, which some members of the public will also attend.

Charles and Camilla will then travel to St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast where they will attend a service of reflection for the life of the Queen.

The new monarch will also meet leaders from all the major faiths in Northern Ireland.

Before leaving, Charles and Camilla will undertake a walkabout at Writers’ Square.

Although the square will be closed to the public, people are being invited to line the route to Hillsborough Castle and the route to the cathedral.

The royal couple will travel along Main Street and Lisburn Street in Hillsborough before heading to Belfast along Wellington Place, Donegall Square North, Chichester Street and Victoria Street.

Irish president Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina, Taoiseach Micheal Martin and foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney are due to attend the memorial service at St Anne’s Cathedral.

PA

ICYMI: Prince Harry banned from wearing military uniform at Queen vigil but Andrew allowed

06:56 , Namita Singh

The Duke of Sussex has been denied the chance to wear military uniform as he mourns the Queen, even though his disgraced uncle the Duke of York will be permitted to do so at the lying in state vigil.

Harry, who saw action on the front line during two tours of duty in Afghanistan, will be in civilian dress for official events including the late monarch’s state funeral.

Andrew was stripped of his military titles and the right to be referred to as His Royal Highness in January this year, after a US judge ruled a civil case could be brought against him by Virginia Giuffre.

Only working royals – which Harry and Andrew are not – are being permitted to dress in uniform at five ceremonial occasions.

These are the St Giles’ Cathedral service in Edinburgh, which took place on Monday, and the coffin’s procession to Westminster Hall, the vigil at the lying in state, the funeral in Westminster Abbey and the committal service in Windsor.

But an exception has been made for Andrew who will wear a uniform as a “special mark of respect” for the Queen when he stands guard around her coffin during the Vigil of the Princes.

Laura Elston has more:

Prince Harry banned from wearing military uniform at Queen vigil

CNN host under fire for saying Trump should be invited to Queen’s funeral

06:41 , Namita Singh

CNN host Jake Tapper’s suggestion that president Joe Biden invite Donald Trump to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral has been met with an outpouring of disapproval online.

The comment, which the primetime host made during a Friday night panel discussing the state funeral scheduled for 19 September at Westminster Abbey in London, drew the ire of individuals who described themselves as longtime viewers of his programme. It even led to the hashtag #boycottCNN trending over the weekend.

“I think that the clever move is to invite him,” said Tapper, noting that the decision would ultimately be “left up to President Biden as to whether or not he brings other [former] presidents with him to the Queen’s funeral”.

The White House has since confirmed that no former presidents will accompany Mr Biden and the first lady to London for the funeral.

Johanna Chisholm reporting the details:

CNN’s Jake Tapper under fire for saying Trump should be invited to Queen’s funeral

White House confirms Trump not invited to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral

06:25 , Namita Singh

President Joe Biden will not be bringing his predecessor – or any other former president – to accompany him when he travels to London for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the White House has said.

In response to a question on whether Mr Biden would invite Donald Trump or any of the three other living ex-presidents to join an official delegation to the late sovereign’s memorial service, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that the official invitation from the British government extended only to the incumbent president and his spouse, first lady Jill Biden.

Ms Jean-Pierre said the invitation was transmitted on Saturday as a diplomatic note from the protocol directorate of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with Mr Biden accepting it a day later.

“The invitation was extended to the US government for the president and the first lady only,” she said.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC:

White House confirms Trump not invited to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral

Bike rack closed and Morrisons turn off supermarket beeps – six bizarre ‘signs of respect’ to Queen

06:15 , Namita Singh

Since the Queen’s death, there has been an outpouring of grief as the country remembers Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

Thousands of people have flocked to Buckingham Palace, Balmoral Castle and Windsor Castle to lay flowers and messages of condolence, while big events including Premier League matches and the National Television Awards have been cancelled.

And while schools, businesses and shops decide whether to close completely on 19 September for the Queen’s state funeral, some more bizarre “marks of respect” have emerged.

Though no doubt well-intentioned, some gestures from companies and authorities have raised eyebrows.

Chiara Giordano takes a look at some of them in this report:

Bike rack closed and Morrisons turns off beeps as ‘signs of respect’ to Queen

Commuters may wish to avoid London while Queen lies in state, suggests No 10

06:05 , Namita Singh

Commuters may want to avoid London when Queen Elizabeth II lies in state this week because it will be “extremely busy”, the government said, as rail bosses warn of likely overcrowding.

The coffin of the Queen – who died at Balmoral aged 96 on Thursday afternoon – will be accessible to the public for five days in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster.

Upwards of a million people are expected to pay their respects 24 hours a day from 5pm on Wednesday (14 September) until 6.30am on Monday (19 September), the day of the funeral.

Lamiat Sabin and Jon Stone report:

Commuters may wish to avoid London as Queen lies in state for five nights, No 10 says

ICYMI: Hundreds of thousands pack Edinburgh streets for Queen’s coffin procession

05:50 , Namita Singh

Clutching a bunch of white roses and hydrangeas, Amy Stevenson stood amid the hundreds of thousands of mourners crammed onto the Royal Mile.

“They are actually my wedding bouquet. I thought it would be nice to bring them up and lay them for the Queen,” she explained.

Ms Stevenson, nee Manchini, who had got married on Sunday at Portobello Beach near Edinburgh, explained that she had chosen the colour white to “represent our loved ones that had passed”.

She stood patiently among the surging crowd, in which people were packed so tightly together that they couldn’t move up or down the street. They waited and then watched in near silence for the Queen’s coffin to pass by, followed by her children – King Charles III, the Princess Royal, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Here’s my colleague Holly Bancroft with the details from Edinburgh:

Hundreds of thousands pack Edinburgh streets for royal coffin procession

Queen was ‘bright and focused’ in last audience two days before death, says Johnson

05:35 , Namita Singh

Queen Elizabeth II was “bright and focused” in her last meeting with Boris Johnson two days before she died, the former prime minister said.

Last Tuesday, Mr Johnson tendered his resignation at Balmoral before the Queen appointed Liz Truss as his successor.

Two days later, on Thursday afternoon, the Queen died aged 96 at the castle in Scotland.

A photo taken by PA Media photographer Jane Barlow showed a frail Queen with bruised skin on her hand as she greeted Ms Truss.

Soon after, her family were called to her bedside at Balmoral before her death was announced hours later.

Lamiat Sabin reports:

Queen was ‘bright and focused’ in last audience days before death, Boris Johnson says

King Charles and senior royals stand vigil over late Queen’s coffin

05:22 , Namita Singh

King Charles III and other senior royals kept vigil by the coffin of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Monday evening as her body lay in state at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.

Charles and his siblings – the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex – took their places at the four sides of the oak coffin, which was draped in the Lion Rampart and the Saltire, and adorned with the Crown of Scotland.

They stood alongside four suited members of the Royal Company of Archers, who were standing guard while dressed in long-feathered hats and armed with arrows and quivers.

A queue that consisted of thousands of members of the public to view the coffin on Monday evening was temporarily paused to allow the royals to take their places.

The new monarch and his family began their roughly 10-minute vigil at the coffin at 7.46pm, with the Queen Consort and Countess of Wessex sitting on seats opposite.

My colleague Andy Gregory reports:

King Charles and senior royals stand vigil over late Queen’s coffin in Edinburgh

Queen’s coffin to travel to palace as King heads to Northern Ireland

04:50 , Namita Singh

The Queen’s coffin will be taken to Buckingham Palace today while the King will travel to Northern Ireland for the first time as monarch.

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.

Charles, on his Operation Spring Tide tour around the UK with the Queen Consort, will leave Scotland and head to Belfast before returning to London in the evening.

Members of the public are already queueing 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.

Read the details here:

Queen’s coffin to travel to Palace as King travels to Northern Ireland

Poet laureate Simon Armitage marks death of Queen with poem

04:35 , Namita Singh

The poet laureate Simon Armitage has written a poem to mark the death of the Queen.

Floral Tribute is composed of two stanzas of nine lines each, describing the coming of a September evening and the appearance of a lily as “a token of thanks”.

The lily of the valley was one of the Queen’s favourite flowers and appeared in her coronation bouquet.

Since then it has held special association with the late monarch and grows in the garden of Buckingham Palace.

The poem employs the form of a double acrostic, meaning the first letter of each line spells out Elizabeth when taken together.

Read more in this report:

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage marks death of Queen with poem

Mourners watching the Queen’s Coffin and the King to expect mixed autumn weather

04:23 , Namita Singh

Mourners lining the street to catch a glimpse of the King in the Northern Ireland today can expect to be greeted by intermittent sunshine breaking through cloudy skies, the Met Office has said.

Meanwhile in London, the morning sunshine is likely to give way to downpours by the evening, bringing the possibility of more rainbows like those seen over Buckingham Palace on the day the Queen died.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin predicted a “fine day for most” with the exception of southern England, where people heading out should be braced for “heavy bursts of rain” throughout the evening.

Mr Deakin said: “The rain is going to pop up through the day across parts of southern England.

“There are some heavy bursts of rain likely, especially through the late afternoon and into the evening, making for a lot of spray and surface water on the roads.

“It’s still quite humid-feeling with highs of 22C or 23C, whereas further north, it’s going to be quite pleasant in the September sunshine, with temperatures in the high teens or low twenties likely.”

Queen’s death: What will happen today?

04:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Here is the timeline of events expected to take place over the next 24 hours on Tuesday 13 September.

Queen’s coffin

At 5pm, the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II will leave St Giles’ Cathedral on a hearse for Edinburgh Airport.

At 6pm, it will depart on an RAF Globemaster C-17 aircraft with the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence on board.

The flight is scheduled to arrive at RAF Northolt in west London at 6.55pm.

The coffin will then be transported by a state hearse, accompanied by Princess Anne and Sir Tim, to Buckingham Palace.

Its route to the palace will be via the A40, Eastbourne Terrace, Lancaster Gate, Bayswater Road, Marble Arch, Park Lane, Hyde Park Corner and Constitution Hill.

Waiting to receive the coffin at the Palace will be the King and the Queen Consort – Charles and Camilla. The Prince and Princess of Wales – William and Kate – will also be present.

The Queen’s coffin will rest in the palace’s Bow Room overnight before it will be taken on Wednesday to the Palace of Westminster where she will lie in state for five days for members of the public to pay their respects.

King’s duties

The King and Queen Consort will leave the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh for Belfast as part of Operation Spring Tide – Charles’ tour around the UK nations.

At Hillsborough Castle, Charles and Camilla will view an exhibition of pictures, showing the Queen in Northern Ireland.

The King will then meet Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris and party leaders.

Charles and Camilla will attend St Anne’s Cathedral for a service of prayer and reflection.

They are expected to be greeted by thousands of members of the public who are expected to line the streets of the city in the afternoon.

Their royal cavalcade will travel through Wellington Place, Donegall Square North, Chichester Street and Victoria Street.

The King and Queen Consort will then undertake a walkabout at Writers’ Square, before leaving Northern Ireland.

ICYMI: Six strange ways organisations are paying respects to the Queen

03:00 , Lamiat Sabin

In case you missed it...

Some companies and services are showing their respects to the late monarch Queen Elizabeth II in some strange ways.

The moves include silencing the beeps at supermarkets, closing an outdoors bike rack, and banning busking on the London Underground during the 10-day period of national mourning.

Read the full list by Chiara Giordano here

Bike rack closed and Morrisons turns off beeps as ‘signs of respect’ to Queen

Where is the Queen’s final resting place?

02:15 , Lamiat Sabin

Queen Elizabeth II’s final resting place will be the King George VI memorial chapel in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

This is where her parents – the Queen Mother and King George VI – were interred and where her sister Princess Margaret’s ashes are kept.

The coffin of the Queen’s husband Prince Philip, who died in April 2021 at the age of 99, will be moved from the Royal Vault to join hers.

Public warned not to camp along route Queen’s coffin will take in London

01:30 , Lamiat Sabin

People have been warned not to wait or camp along the route where the Queen’s coffin will be taken from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.

On Wednesday, the late monarch’s coffin – followed by members of the royal family and senior members of her household in silence – will move along The Mall, Horse Guards Road, across Horse Guards Parade, onto Whitehall and into the Palace of Westminster after 2.22pm.

Viewing areas along the route with limited capacity will open at 11am on the day.

People will be admitted in order of arrival time and readmission cannot be guaranteed if a person leaves the area, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said.

The DCMS has warned: “Please do not wait or camp in advance of the processional day. If you camp before this time you may be asked to move on.”

The coffin, adorned with the Imperial State Crown, will be transported on a gun carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

There will be large screens at Hyde Park to watch the procession, which will be broadcast on national television and radio.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct a short service following the coffin’s arrival at the Palace of Westminster.

ScotRail trains running through night for mourners visiting Queen’s coffin

Tuesday 13 September 2022 00:45 , Lamiat Sabin

ScotRail is running additional services throughout the night so that people can travel to Edinburgh to pay their respects to the Queen while her coffin is in St. Giles’ Cathedral.

Trains will run every hour between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High in both directions tonight into tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

Passengers are being advised to use Waverley station as construction work is being carried out on a building next to Haymarket station in the proximity of the tram lines.

Queues are expected, particularly at Edinburgh Waverley, and passengers are advised to check the ScotRail app or website for the most up-to-date service information.

Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway, said: “On behalf of everyone at Scotland's Railway, we share the nation’s sadness at Her Majesty The Queen’s death and gratitude for her decades of service. We send our condolences to His Majesty The King and the Royal Family.

“ScotRail and Network Rail are doing everything we can to support people who want to pay their respects while The Queen lies at rest in St Giles' Cathedral.”

Blank paper protester ‘more inclined’ to demonstrate after police encounter

Tuesday 13 September 2022 00:01 , Lamiat Sabin

A man who said he was told by a police officer that he risked being arrested if he wrote “not my King” on a placard in London now feels “more inclined to go out there and to protest to uphold our rights”.

Paul Powlesland, 36, a barrister and nature rights activist from Barking in east London, travelled into the centre of the capital on Monday afternoon with “a blank piece of paper”.

He told the PA news agency: “I went down there because I’ve been increasingly concerned by people who are just, you know, exercising rights to freedom of speech, being either arrested or threatened with arrest by the police.

“I actually couldn’t risk arrest as I’m due to be in tribunal (on Tuesday). So I just thought I’d take a blank piece of paper down there.

“Partly, as a comment as well on the lack of freedom of speech and how ridiculous it is. So I held that up and various police officers spoke to me and I tried to find out from some of them, whether if I wrote, ‘not my King’ on it, they would arrest me.

“They didn’t know or wouldn’t say, and then I went for a little walk around and went down towards Downing Street. And then that officer came up to me and began that conversation effectively asking for my details and then saying, if you write ‘not my King’ on it, then we may well arrest you for public order offences, being offensive.”

My Powlesland recorded part of his interaction with the officer and shared it on social media, where it was viewed more than 700,000 times in around four hours.

“Why would you ask for my details?” he can be heard asking the officer, who said: “I wanted to make sure you didn’t have bail conditions (inaudible).”

PA

Public ‘absolutely’ has right to demonstrate, police say after paper protest

Monday 12 September 2022 23:00 , Lamiat Sabin

The Metropolitan Police have said “the public absolutely have a right to protest” during the days following the death of the Queen.

The force issued a statement following a viral video from Parliament Square showing a barrister who held holding up a blank piece of paper being asked for his details by a police officer.

Deputy assistant commissioner Stuart Cundy said: “We’re aware of a video online showing an officer speaking with a member of the public outside the Palace of Westminster earlier today.

“The public absolutely have a right of protest and we have been making this clear to all officers involved in the extraordinary policing operation currently in place and we will continue do so.

“However, the overwhelming majority of interactions between officers and public at this time have been positive as people have come to the capital to mourn the loss of Her Late Majesty the Queen.”

You can read up on the full details by my colleague Lizzie Dearden here:

Police demand details of man who held up blank piece of paper amid protest arrests

List of shops closing on day of Queen’s funeral

Monday 12 September 2022 22:15 , Lamiat Sabin

A number of retail chains said they will shut on Monday (19 September) due to the Queen’s funeral.

They include:

• Sainsbury’s (except convenience shops and petrol stations)

• Aldi

• Argos

• Primark

• John Lewis

• Poundland

• B&Q

• Dreams

The government guidance is: “Some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the state funeral, however, this is at the discretion of individual businesses.”

Mourners begin queuing for Queen’s lying in state in London two days early

Monday 12 September 2022 21:59 , Andy Gregory

In London, mourners have already started to queue to visit Westminster Hall, where the Queen’s body will lie in state from 5pm on Wednesday until Monday.

Rebecca Speare-Cole reports:

Mourners begin queuing for Queen’s lying in state in London two days early

Queen’s coffin adorned with Lion Rampart and flag of St Andrew’s

Monday 12 September 2022 21:40 , Andy Gregory

As King Charles and his siblings – the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex – took their places at the four sides of the Queen’s oak coffin for a vigil earlier this evening, it was draped in the Lion Rampart and flag of St Andrew’s, and adorned with the Crown of Scotland.

They stood alongside four suited members of the Royal Company of Archers, who were standing guard dressed in long-feathered hats and armed with arrows and quivers.

You can read more details on the vigil at St Giles’ Cathedral here:

King Charles and senior royals stand vigil over late Queen’s coffin in Edinburgh

Aircrafts restricted at certain altitudes in London and Edinburgh

Monday 12 September 2022 21:25 , PA

Planes have been banned from flying below a certain altitude over parts of London and Edinburgh during the Queen’s coffin procession.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the ban has been enforced as part of wider security arrangements, and applies to “aircraft” including personal jets, small balloons, kites and parachutes.

A spokesperson for the regulator has said this will create a “protective blanket” over the restricted areas, but will not affect commercial flights because they operate above the altitude limits.

Aircraft are not permitted to fly below 2,500 feet above mean sea level within central London until 7am on September 19, with potential for this time limit to be extended.

They have also been banned from flying below 6,000 feet above mean sea between Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire and the Palace of Holyrood in Edinburgh until 11.59pm on Wednesday.

Monday 12 September 2022 20:53 , Andy Gregory

Sharon O’Neill, from Airdrie, was one of the first people inside St Giles’ Cathedral to view the Queen’s coffin, which will be laying there to rest until Tuesday.

Speaking after paying her respects, she said: “It was beautiful inside the cathedral, it was lovely, the guards were lovely. The flowers were lovely, with the crown sitting on top of the coffin.

“I came from Airdrie, to come and pay respects. It was stunning, it really was, but also very sad, and a very poignant moment. It’s been a great opportunity to allow the Scottish people to come and pay their respects.”

Queen’s children keep vigil by her coffin as public pays respects

Monday 12 September 2022 20:13 , Lamiat Sabin

King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew have kept vigil by the Queen’s coffin.

The closed coffin is at St. Giles’ Cathedral where members of the public have been paying their respects since 7pm.

The new monarch, with his siblings, bowed their heads in silence as they stood around the coffin of their mother who died aged 96 at Balmoral on Thursday afternoon after a 70-year reign.

The Queen will lie in state at the cathedral until Tuesday afternoon when her coffin will be flown from Edinburgh airport to RAF Northolt.

In London, members of the public will be able to pay their respects over the course of four days and five nights as she lies in state at the Palace of Westminster until her state funeral on Monday (19 September).

Watch: Members of public pay respects to the Queen in Edinburgh

Monday 12 September 2022 19:45 , Lamiat Sabin

Members of the public have been paying their respects to Queen Elizabeth II at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh since 7pm.

The late monarch is lying in state at the church until about 3pm tomorrow (Tuesday) before the coffin leaves for London.

People are seen in footage approaching the coffin to bow and curtsey, and many well up with tears at the sight of the closed coffin.

On Tuesday, the coffin will be taken to Edinburgh Airport to be flown to RAF Northolt in London.

The Queen's coffin will rest in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace overnight, before a procession to the lying in state on Wednesday.

At the Palace of Westminster, members of the public will be able to pay their respects to the Queen over the course of five days until her funeral on Monday 19 September.

Millions of people are expected to travel to central London to pay their respects during all hours of the day and night until 6.30am on the day of the state funeral.

The route Queen Elizabeth’s coffin will take to leave Scotland

Monday 12 September 2022 19:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Details have been revealed of the route Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin will take as it leaves Scotland for the last time.

The late monarch will be lying in state overnight at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.

Members of the public will be able to pay their respects in person at the church until about 3pm tomorrow (Tuesday).

The Queen’s coffin will leave Scotland by going along Lawnmarket to Johnston Terrace and then on to Castle Terrace and Lothian Road.

From there it will travel along Queensferry Street, Dean Bridge, Queensferry Road, Maybury Road and then Turnhouse Road, before arriving at Edinburgh Airport for its journey to RAF Northolt in London.

Edinburgh City Council confirmed a number of roads would be closed to the public to allow for the cortege to make the journey.

With more disruption expected on Tuesday, Edinburgh city council leader Cammy Day urged people “to continue to bear with us and consider their travel needs”.

Mr Day also urged those arriving to pay their respects to the Queen – either at St Giles’ or by lining the route – to dress appropriately for the weather and to be prepared for long periods of standing.

King Charles addresses Scottish Parliament

Monday 12 September 2022 19:15 , Andy Gregory

King Charles III has addressed the Scottish Parliament, after party leaders paid tribute to the Queen in a special session.

“I know that the Scottish Parliament and the people of Scotland share with me a profound sense of grief at the death of my beloved mother,” the monarch said.

“Through all the years of her reign, the Queen like so many generations of our family before her, found in the hills of this land and in the hearts of its people, a haven and a home.”

He continued: “If I might paraphrase the words of the great Robert Burns, my dear mother was a friend of man, a friend of truth, a friend of age and guide of youth. Few hearts like hers, with virtue warmed, few heads with knowledge so informed.”

The King then said his other Scottish titles including Duke of Rothesay had now passed to his son William.

He said: “I take up my new duties with thankfulness for all that Scotland has given me. With resolve to seek always the welfare of our country and its people and with wholehearted trust in your goodwill and good counsel as we take forward that task together.”

Nicola Sturgeon shares anecdote about Queen’s corgis

Monday 12 September 2022 19:05 , Andy Gregory

Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has recalled how her husband saved one of the Queen’s corgis from being electrocuted.

Speaking as she moved a motion of condolence in honour of the late monarch, Ms Sturgeon told of how Peter Murrell stopped the dog, a puppy named Sandy, from chewing through a lamp switch after a light began to flicker at Balmoral.

“To my great alarm, he was, after all, in the presence of Her Majesty, my husband suddenly leapt up and darted across the floor,” the First Minister said. “Peter had spotted the cause of the flickering light. One of the Queen’s young Corgis, a beautiful pup called Sandy, was eating through a lamp switch.

“Thankfully, tragedy was averted and Sandy emerged unscathed, though not before a ticking off from his mistress.”

The Scottish Parliament took part in a two-minute silence for the late monarch.

Prince Harry banned from wearing military uniform at Queen vigil but exception made for Andrew

Monday 12 September 2022 18:49 , Andy Gregory

The Duke of Sussex has been denied the chance to wear military uniform as he mourns the Queen, even though his disgraced uncle the Duke of York will be permitted to do so at the lying in state vigil.

Laura Elston has more details here:

Prince Harry banned from wearing military uniform at Queen vigil

Thousands join queue to see Queen’s coffin in St Giles’ Cathedral

Monday 12 September 2022 18:46 , Andy Gregory

Thousands – if not tens of thousands – are queueing to pay their respects to the late Queen at St Giles’ Cathedral, according to my colleague Holly Bancroft.

The Independent witnessed crowds snaking all the way from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, along the George IV Bridge and into the Meadows, with one official warning of a 10-hour wait.

The cathedral has now opened to the public, with the first photographs emerging of visitors inside the place of worship, where the late monarch’s coffin is currently situated.

‘Celebrating our oppressors doesn’t help us’: Former colonies react to Queen’s death

Monday 12 September 2022 18:20 , Andy Gregory

The Queen’s death sent ripples of sadness through the world, but the monarchy’s complex legacy in the context of colonialism and the British Empire has brought varied responses from some former British colonies.

Our race correspondent Nadine White has spoken to Jah Mickey Bowe, vice chair of the House of Rastafari in the Bahamas, and Jomo Thomas, chair of St Vincent and Grenadines Reparations Committee, in this comprehensive report on the response to the Queen’s death in former colonies:

‘Celebrating our oppressors doesn’t help us’: Former colonies react to queen’s death

Scotland ‘stands ready’ to support new king, says Nicola Sturgeon

Monday 12 September 2022 18:16 , Andy Gregory

Scotland “stands ready” to support King Charles III as he continues his mother’s legacy of public service, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

“We are honoured by the presence today of His Majesty, King Charles III, and The Queen Consort,” she said. “Your Majesty, we stand ready to support you, as you continue your own life of service - and as you build on the extraordinary legacy of your beloved mother, our Queen.

“Queen Elizabeth, Queen of Scots – we are grateful for her life. May She now rest in peace.”

Former Scots Guard soldier at front of queue for St Giles

Monday 12 September 2022 18:11 , Andy Gregory

George Higgins, a former soldier in the Scots Guards, is at the front of the queue to enter St Giles’ Cathedral.

The 61-year-old has been queuing since before 7am, straight after finishing an overnight shift as a security guard at the University of Edinburgh.

“I took my clothes to work, got changed and came straight here. I’m going back on shift at 9.30pm tonight, so I’m going to be very tired,” he told the PA news agency.

“But it’s worth it, with her service to the country, to us, to people and to the Commonwealth, the least I can do is give her a couple of days of my time to say farewell. It’s a real privilege to be here. I can’t believe I’m actually first. I have actually got to pinch myself. It’s just luck.”

King and Queen Consort at Scottish Parliament ahead of tributes to Queen

Monday 12 September 2022 18:00 , Andy Gregory

The King and the Queen Consort have arrived at the Scottish Parliament, where tributes will shortly be paid to the Queen as part of a motion of condolence in the debating chamber.

They were received in the Queensberry House courtyard by presiding officer Alison Johnstone and deputy presiding officers Liam McArthur and Annabelle Ewing.

A kilt-clad King Charles then met the leaders of Scotland’s main political parties: Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP, Douglas Ross of the Scottish Conservatives, Anas Sarwar of Scottish Labour, Lorna Slater of the Scottish Greens and Alex Cole-Hamilton of the Scottish Lib Dems.

Mourners face 10-hour queue to see Queen’s coffin at St Giles’ Cathedral

Monday 12 September 2022 17:49 , Andy Gregory

Hundreds of people are queuing outside St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, where the Queen’s coffin is currently situated, with some having been in line since 7am.

Well-wishers will shortly be led through a security tent to be searched before heading into the cathedral to pay their respects to the late monarch.

One event official has told my colleague Holly Bancroft, who is in Edinburgh, that there is currently a 10-hour wait time to enter the cathedral.