London
CNN
—
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is ready to move in a silent procession from Buckingham palace to Westminster Hall in central London on Wednesday, where he will remain in state until his funeral.
Prince William and Prince Harry will join King Charles III and other members of the royal family to walk behind the coffin as it moves through the procession.
The coffin will be transported on a gun carriage and once it arrives, the Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct a short service.
The Queen’s coffin will remain in Westminster Hall, in the heart of the British parliamentary estate, until her funeral on Monday.
Starting Wednesday night, members of the public will be able to parade in front of the casket, which will rest on a raised platform or catafalque. Thousands are expected to queue along the streets of the capital, and some may sleep outside for the night in a bid to pay their respects.
Harry’s inclusion in Wednesday’s procession is the latest in a series of appearances with William since the queen’s death, as the brothers have tried to show unity despite tensions in recent years since Harry stepped down as a member. of royalty
The joint appearance of William and Harry and their wives Catherine, Princess of Wales and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in Windsor on Saturday came as a surprise and was not announced in advance. William invited the Sussexes along for the walk to see the Queen’s memorials and greet well-wishers, a source told CNN.
The queen’s coffin was transported from Balmoral Castle, where she died, to Edinburgh on Sunday. The six-hour route marked the first leg of the late monarch’s eight-day journey to her final resting place.
Mourners queued outside St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh on Monday night for their turn to pay their final respects. The Scottish government said more than 26,000 people were able to parade in front of the Queen.
On Tuesday, the Queen’s coffin was transported from St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh to Buckingham Palace, London.
He was taken from the cathedral to Edinburgh Airport in a hearse before being flown to RAF Northolt Air Base in west London aboard a C-17 Globemaster transport plane.
The coffin was then taken to Buckingham Palace, where it was received by the Queen’s family and then left to rest in the Bow Room overnight.
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