In a ceremony at Westminster Hall, the oldest building in the parliamentary estate, Charles used his speech to the upper and lower houses of parliament to pay tribute to his mother and pledge to uphold the principle of constitutional government. “When she was very young, Her late Majesty pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to uphold the precious principles of constitutional government that lie at the heart of our nation. This oath she kept with unsurpassed devotion,” she told the assembled lawmakers. and peers. “He set an example of unselfish duty which, with God’s help and your advice, I am determined to follow faithfully.” In Westminster Hall, lawmakers from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords expressed their condolences on the death of his mother. WATCHES | Choreographed protocol, with moments of spontaneity:
The traditions and protocols of Britain’s farewell to Queen Elizabeth
It has been more than 70 years since Britain had to rest a monarch and name a new one. The tradition and protocols that ensure the royal family’s survival are now being tested in real time and have so far gone down without a hitch. Since Elizabeth’s death at the age of 96 on September 8 at Balmoral Castle, her Scottish country home, a choreographed series of plans to mourn Britain’s 70-year-old monarch has been put in place. On Sunday, her oak coffin, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland with a wreath on top, was carried by hearse on a six-hour journey from Balmoral through the picturesque Scottish countryside, villages, small towns and cities to Edinburgh. Tens of thousands of well-wishers lined the streets to pay their respects, while huge crowds, some in tears, gathered in Edinburgh to greet the team.
Vigil in Scotland later today
Charles will fly to Edinburgh with his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, and meet his sister, Anne, and brothers Andrew and Edward. The Queen’s children will walk behind the hearse as their mother’s coffin is carried into St Giles’ Cathedral, flanked by soldiers. The King’s Yeomen of the Guard arrive ahead of King Charles III and the Queen Consort at Westminster Hall, London, where both Houses of Parliament met to express their condolences following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. (Joe Giddens/Reuters) When he arrives at the church, the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, the Earl of Scotland, will place the Scottish crown on the coffin. After the service, the coffin will rest in the cathedral for 24 hours to allow people to pay their respects. A constant vigil will be held by soldiers of the Royal Archery Company. Charles will also visit the Scottish Parliament and meet Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, followed by an evening vigil there.
Harry praises her ‘unwavering grace and dignity’
In his first public comment since her death, Prince Harry paid a moving tribute to his “grandmother” on Monday, saying she will be sorely missed not only by the family but the world. “Her unwavering grace and dignity remained true throughout her life and now her eternal legacy,” Harry said. “I am forever grateful for all of our first encounters — from my first childhood memories with you, to the first time I met you as my commander-in-chief, to the first time you met my beloved wife and hugged your beloved granddaughter. “ Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, chat with members of the crowd outside Windsor Castle on Saturday. (Andrew Couldridge/Reuters) Amid acrimony in the House of Windsor, Harry stepped down as senior royal and moved to the US two years ago. On Saturday, there was a possible sign of reconciliation as Harry and his wife, Meghan, joined his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Catherine to meet mourners outside Windsor Castle. On Tuesday, the coffin will be flown to London, where on Wednesday it will begin a period of repose until early on September 19 – the day of Elizabeth’s state funeral – in a vault at Westminster Hall. It will be guarded by soldiers or Yeoman Warders – known as beefeaters – from the Tower of London. Members of the public will be allowed to walk past the coffin, which will be covered by the Royal Standard with the sovereign’s orb and scepter placed on top, for 24 hours a day until 6.30am. of September 19. “Those wishing to attend will have to queue for many hours, possibly overnight,” the government said in a statement. “Large crowds are expected and people are encouraged to check ahead, plan accordingly and be prepared for long wait times.” WATCHES | In India, signs of a colonial past amid tributes:
The Queen’s death evokes mixed feelings in India
India observed a day of mourning on Sunday for the death of Queen Elizabeth. But the reaction to the queen’s death has been complicated in India by a long and painful history of British colonial rule. Meanwhile, thousands of people continue to gather at royal palaces across Britain, bringing flowers. In Green Park near London’s Buckingham Palace, where some of the tributes are being held, long lines of bouquets now snake around the park allowing mourners to read the tributes. Other well-wishers have attached their condolence messages to the trees. “I was really moved, to lose the Queen,” Amy Gibbs, 43, said outside Buckingham Palace. “I think she was an amazing lady who did her best and gave us everything.”
