The Countess of Wessex, Sofia, was photographed comforting Princess Anne today as members of the royal family watched Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrive in Edinburgh to rest at the Palace of Holyroodhouse overnight.
Sofia, 57, wife of the queen’s youngest son Prince Edward, 58, was seen placing her hand on the princess’s back in a gesture of support after the coffin made the journey from Balmoral to the city scottish
Family children of the queen watched as soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland carried the coffin into the palace. In one poignant moment, royal women were seen bowing and men bowing their heads.
Her Majesty did not travel alone during her 180-mile journey, Ana and her husband were in a limousine as part of a procession right behind her. The queen herself will stay at the palace overnight before being transferred to St Giles’ Cathedral tomorrow afternoon, where a large crowd had previously gathered to witness the proclamation of King Charles as head of state.
Yesterday, both Princess Anne and Sofia were seen teary-eyed as they looked at floral tributes to the queen left at Balmoral, along with other members of the royal family.
Meanwhile, Scottish mourners paid tribute to Her Majesty by lining the route of her coffin procession by the thousands as she left Balmoral for the last time. Silent, somber and respectful, supporters gathered by country lanes, bridges and in town and city centers to bid farewell to the woman who was never more home than when she was in Scotland.
Tomorrow, King Charles and Camilla, the queen consort, will visit Edinburgh and join their other siblings walking behind their late mother’s coffin as it is transferred from the palace to St Giles’ Cathedral. At 7:20 p.m., the monarch will hold a vigil at the coffin of the late queen along with other members of the royal family.
Her Majesty and her family were often seen in the village of Royal Deeside, which she had visited since childhood and where the royal family have space to be themselves. The hearse passed Glenmuick Church, where the Reverend David Barr rang the church bells 70 times after the queen’s death was announced.
Supporters on both sides of the road in Ballater, which was gloomy and quiet, threw flowers in the path of the hearse. The hearse slowed to a brisk pace and mourners could clearly see the coffin draped with the royal banner and wreath of Balmoral estate.
ABC