Queen Elizabeth II: Queen's coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace

Summary

The Queen's coffin has arrived at Buckingham Palace and was greeted by members of the Royal Family
It will move on Wednesday to Westminster Hall, where the Queen will lie in state for four days
The Queen's daughter, the Princess Royal has issued a statement saying she was "fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother’s life"
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to file past the coffin to pay their respects, with a huge policing operation expected
King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, who are now in London, earlier visited Northern Ireland as part of a tour of the UK
They greeted crowds at Hillsborough Castle, met political leaders and attended a service at St Anne's Cathedral

Live Reporting

Edited by Marianna Brady

Queen's corgis get new home with Prince Andrewpublished at 00:44 British Summer Time 12 September 2022
The Queen's beloved pet dogs are set to live with her son Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson at the home The Royal Lodge, a mansion in the grounds of the Windsor Estate, the BBC has confirmed.
The pair will take in Muick and Sandy, who are two young corgis that the Prince and his daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, gave the Monarch as a present in 2021.
The Queen also had a dorgi, a dachshund-corgi mix, called Candy.
A source close to Prince Andrew told the BBC: "The corgis will return to live at Royal Lodge with the duke and duchess. It was the duchess who found the puppies which were gifted to Her Majesty by the duke.
"The duchess bonded with Her Majesty over dog walking and riding horses, and even after her divorce, she would continue her great friendship with Her Majesty, by walking the dogs in Frogmore and chatting."
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Prince Andrew and the corgis have a lifelong association. (Pictured in 1966)
The monarchy's deep history with Scotlandpublished at 00:25 British Summer Time 12 September 2022
Allan Little
Reporting from Edinburgh
The monarchy has a long and deep history with Scotland, where the Queen's coffin now rests, and where King Charles III has been publicly proclaimed as her successor at the Mercat Cross.
The Queen was directly descended from Robert the Bruce - Scotland’s patriot king from 1306 to his death in 1329 - who fought for his country's independence and won.
Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587), was also a direct blood ancestor. So today has been another striking reminder of the long continuity in which the monarchy roots us.
At the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where her coffin now lies in rest, her ancestor James VI of Scotland (1566-1625) learned that he’d inherited the throne of England on the death of the first Queen Elizabeth.
For the first time, the two kingdoms were united under one crown in a regal union.
Image source, gett
Image caption,
Crowds watch the ceremony at the Mercat Cross in Edinburgh, publicly proclaiming King Charles III as the new Monarch
WATCH: The Queen's journey from Balmoral to Edinburghpublished at 23:57 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
The Queen's coffin has travelled to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh after a six-hour trip across Scotland from her beloved Balmoral Castle.
The late monarch will remain in the Throne Room of the palace overnight.
Media caption,
The Queen's journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh
How the Queen paid tribute to 9/11 victims and survivorspublished at 23:33 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
As those across the world continue to mourn the Queen on Sunday, many are also marking the 21st anniversary of the 11 September attacks.
Over the years, the Queen showed her support for the victims, survivors and their families across the Atlantic.
Two days after the attack in 2001, she ordered the military guard at Buckingham Palace to play the 'Star Spangled Banner', and the US national anthem was again heard as the guards changed last year, on the 20th anniversary of the date.
In 2010, the Monarch laid a wreath at Ground Zero during a visit to New York.
And when marking the 20th anniversary, she also sent a message to US President Joe Biden.
"My visit to the site of the World Trade Centre in 2010 is held fast in my memory," she said.
"It reminds me that as we honour those from many nations, faiths and backgrounds who lost their lives, we also pay tribute to the resilience and determination of the communities who joined together to rebuild."
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
The Queen laid a wreath at Ground Zero during her 2010 visit
New Zealand honours King's 'affection' in proclamation ceremonypublished at 22:57 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
Image source, Getty Images
Around the UK, and indeed the world, proclamation ceremonies have taken place to officially name Charles III as King.
In New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth's "unwavering duty" and the new King's relationship with her country.
Speaking in the capital, Wellington, the prime minister noted that “King Charles has long had an affection for Aotearoa New Zealand and has consistently demonstrated his deep care for our nation," referring to the country's Māori language name.
"This relationship is deeply valued by our people. I have no doubt it will deepen,” she said.
One of the Queen's last 100th birthday messagespublished at 22:25 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
Image source, Sue Beckett
For anyone approaching their 100th birthday, a letter from the Queen has always been a long-anticipated honour. But for Gwendolyn Hoare from Essex, who turned 100 over the weekend, all hopes of congratulations from the Queen had gone.
Yet on Friday, the day after Her Majesty’s death, the postman knocked on her door with a very special delivery: her letter from Queen Elizabeth II – one of the last to be sent.
Her family contacted the BBC’s special tributes live page to tell us about the special delivery.
Quote Message
My Aunt, Gwendolyn Betty Hoare, is 100 today [10 September]. For decades she talked about receiving a telegram from the Queen and was devastated to hear the news… but her telegram arrived yesterday and she was ecstatic.
Sue Beckett
Quote Message
I think I am very privileged to have it. And I - being a royalist which I am - very much admired her and all she did. So when she went it was a sad moment but she didn’t go before she sent me this. I wasn’t sure that I would get it but I was thrilled when I did.
Gwendolyn Hoare
Image source, Sue Beckett
Biden confirms he will attend the funeralpublished at 21:57 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
The White House has confirmed that US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have accepted a formal invitation to attend the Queen's funeral on Monday 19 September.
Biden first met Queen Elizabeth in 1982 when he was a senator, and they met again last year at the G7 summit in Cornwall, England.
"She charmed us with her wit, moved us with her kindness, and generously shared with us her wisdom," the president said in his tribute to the Monarch.
Image source, 10 Downing Street
Image caption,
The Queen with Joe and Jill Biden last year at the G7 summit in Cornwall, England
Watch: Steel pan drums in Brixton for the new Kingpublished at 21:29 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
Across the UK - and indeed the world - there have been ceremonies to proclaim the new King Charles III.
Florence Eshalomi, MP for Vauxhall in south London, shared this video of a steel pan orchestra performing at one of those ceremonies.
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'The memories will live forever'published at 21:16 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
Tributes are still pouring in from around the world.
Rachel Smith remembers seeing the Queen being driven through Somerset.
"She was dressed in a light green suit and hat with flowers on and looked completely beautiful. She had that amazing ability to make you feel she had directly seen you and was waving to you alone. The moment lasted a few seconds but the memories will live forever," she says.
Ten-year-old Ruby Barry from Yorkshire says she felt really sad when she learned of the Queen's death, so decided to draw a picture of the monarch because "drawing makes me feel happier".
You can read more of these tributes on our special BBC live page, and send us your own via the online form.
Image source, Ruby Barry
What is Holyroodhouse?published at 20:53 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
Image source, Getty Images
The Queen's coffin is lying in state at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Located at the opposite end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the monarchy in Scotland.
First built in 1128 as an Augustinian monastery, it has been a royal residence for over 500 years
Successive kings eschewed the colder Edinburgh Castle and instead resided in Holyroodhouse, cementing its position.
Learn more about the history of Holyroodhouse here.
Caroline Kennedy remembers running races at Windsor Castlepublished at 20:29 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Queen Elizabeth, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy in 1965
After the assassination of US President John F Kennedy in 1963 the Queen granted an acre of land at Runnymede - near to Windsor Great Park - as a memorial for his family.
The president’s daughter Caroline - then aged seven - was at the ceremony in 1965 where the Queen dedicated the Portland stone memorial.
Ms Kennedy - now US ambassador to Australia - told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that for Americans the Queen has been a constant presence in their lives. She says the alliance with Britain has endured and the Queen is the embodiment of that relationship.
She says her father was an admirer of the UK and spent a lot of time there - and was part of the same generation as the Queen.
Ms Kennedy said she remembers having lunch at Windsor Castle before the ceremony, and that she and the other children had running races to keep them occupied while the adults ate.
Welsh politicians pay tribute during parliament sessionpublished at 20:01 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
Image source, SENEDD CYMRU/WELSH PARLIAMENT
Image caption,
Members of the Senedd stood for a minute's silence at the start of proceedings
Welsh politicians have paid tribute to the "remarkable life" of the Queen in a special session of the Senedd.
Leading tributes, First Minister Mark Drakeford praised her "personal commitment to Wales and its democratic institutions".
The event in the Welsh Parliament comes after a proclamation ceremony in Cardiff.
Proceedings opened with a minute's silence.
Drakeford said the Queen had lived a "remarkable life" with an "overriding sense of duty."
Read more here.
Sporting figures pay tributepublished at 19:34 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
A number of sporting figures have paid tribute to the Queen, recalling the times they had met her.
Quote Message
I was very fortunate, I got to meet her a few years ago and she couldn’t have been nicer and it was a wonderful moment for me. I have the picture of that in my house alongside my MBE which I am very proud of as well. This day was going to come but I think everyone would agree she will be very fondly remembered for everything she’s done including improving the relations between Ireland and Great Britain during her visit a few years ago.
Rory McIlroy, golfer
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Frankie Dettori (left) took part in two minutes silence before today's race at Doncaster
Quote Message
She had that great sense of humour. She always made a detour if someone in the room was from racing. She was more comfortable talking to people of my sport than people that she didn’t know. We’ve lost our greatest ambassador.
Frankie Dettori, horseracing jockey
Quote Message
Her passion was perhaps horses [more] than horsepower. I recall the privilege of having lunch with her and the Duke of Edinburgh. Over the lunch, she asked why my drivers weren’t getting on with each other, ‘what’s the issue?’ She was very engaging. It wasn’t long after they had done the filming for the Olympics. She was recalling the helicopters at the palace and Daniel Craig and the corgis. She had a great sense of humour and made you feel immediately at ease. She will go down in history as one of the greatest monarchs of all time.
Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing
What happens next?published at 18:55 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
The Queen's coffin will now lie in the Palace of Holyroodhouse's Throne Room until Monday afternoon.
On Monday morning, the King and the Queen Consort will travel to Wesminster Hall in London - where both Houses of Parliament will express their condolences, and the King will "make his reply".
The King and Queen Camilla will then travel to Edinburgh.
Here's what we're expecting:
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
The Queen during the Ceremony of the Keys in Edinburgh last June
Ceremony of the keys
After inspecting the guard of honour, the Ceremony of the Keys will take place on the forecourt of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Ceremony of the Keys sees a British monarch being handed the keys of the city of Edinburgh. It has traditionally marked the start of Holyrood Week - a yearly occasion which would see the Queen spend a week visiting various Scottish regions.
Tomorrow's Ceremony of the Keys will be the first time the symbolic Keys will be handed over to Charles.
The procession to St Giles
A solemn procession will follow the ceremony, setting off from Holyroodhouse at around 14:30.
It will be accompanied by the King and his siblings as it travels up the Royal Mile to St Giles’ Cathedral for a service expected to last about an hour. Anne's husband, the Queen Consort and the Countess of Wessex will also be in attendance.
Mourners will then be permitted to view the Queen's coffin at the cathedral from about 17:00.
Vigil of Royal Family members
King Charles will meet First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at Holyroodhouse, before attending the Scottish Parliament.
In the evening, members of the royal family, including the King, will stand vigil beside the coffin at St Giles' Cathedral.
The public will be able to pay their respects to the Queen at St Giles' until Tuesday evening, when the coffin will be flown to London on an RAF plane ahead of her state funeral.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Then-Prince Charles and the Duke of York stand vigil beside the Queen Mother's coffin in 2002
In pictures: Sea of flowers in Green Parkpublished at 18:32 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
Hundreds of people have made their way to Green Park in London - next to Buckingham Palace - to leave floral tributes and messages to Queen Elizabeth II.
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
People have been invited to leave flowers at a dedicated site in the park
Image source, YOAN VALAT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Image caption,
They've been asked to remove any wrapping from flowers before laying them down
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
The Royal Parks said cards and labels would be accepted, and removed periodically for safekeeping
Image source, Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Image caption,
Tributes are to be left on site until all ceremonial activity has taken place, from seven to 14 days after the Queen's funeral
King Charles focuses on Commonwealthpublished at 18:17 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
Paul Adams
BBC Diplomatic correspondent
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
King Charles hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
With the eyes of the country fixed on his mother’s final journey through Scotland, King Charles spent a second day in London, attending to the business of state.
Today it was all about the Commonwealth. A chance for the new King to underline his commitment to a core component of his mother’s legacy. Lady Scotland, the Commonwealth’s Secretary General, said Queen Elizabeth had built the Commonwealth brick by brick.
At Buckingham Palace, King Charles met the secretary general, as well as High Commissioners from the 14 Commonwealth countries which still regard the monarch as their head of state – including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The new King knows that there will be moments during his reign when, like Barbados last year, members decide to question or cut their ties to the monarchy and declare themselves republics. Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda could be among the first.
But the Commonwealth remains a large family of nations, which still attracts new members. Gabon and Togo both joined just this summer.
If you're just joining us...published at 18:00 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Thousands of people lined the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, many waiting for several hours to pay their respects
Thank you for joining our coverage as the nation continues to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Here's a look back at what's happened so far today:
- A cortege took Her Majesty's coffin on the six-hour journey from Scotland's Balmoral Castle to the capital Edinburgh
- Crowds lined the route to pay their respects to Britain's longest-serving monarch, clapping and throwing floral tributes in the procession's path
- The coffin will now lie at rest in The Palace of Holyroodhouse overnight
- The Queen's children Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward are in Edinburgh, while King Charles III will travel to the city on Monday
- The King, meanwhile, spent the afternoon at Buckingham Palace where he met Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland
- Proclamation ceremonies were held in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, marking King Charles' ascension to the throne
- Prince William spoke to Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and vowed to serve the Welsh people with "humility and great respect" in his new role as the Prince of Wales
King Charles meets Commonwealth guests at Buckingham Palacepublished at 17:45 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
King Charles III has hosted an audience with Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland at Buckingham Palace.
After the meeting took place, he also hosted high commissioners and their partners from countries where he is head of state.
He left Buckingham Palace to cheers from the crowds after the meetings.
He will begin his day tomorrow with a visit to Westminster Hall, where both Houses of Parliament will meet to express their condolences.
Accompanied by Camilla, the Queen Consort, the King will then travel by air to Edinburgh.
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
King Charles III spent the afternoon at Buckingham Palace
Image source, PA Wire
Image caption,
He had a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Queen Camilla also joined the meetings at the palace
Princess Anne's journey with the cortegepublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
Image source, Paul Campbell/PA Wire
The Princess Royal - along with her husband Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence - accompanied her mother's coffin throughout its six-hour journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh.
After winding its way through the countryside, numerous villages and small towns, it has now reached the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and will move to London later this week.
The Royal Standard for Scotland explainedpublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
Image source, AFP
Her Majesty's coffin will now lie at rest in the Palace of Holyroodhouse overnight, and then proceed to St Giles Cathedral tomorrow, to allow people to pay their respects for 24 hours.
As we've been reporting, her coffin is draped with the Royal Standard for Scotland - a flag that represents the Sovereign.
Unlike the Royal Standard used in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and elsewhere, the Royal Standard for Scotland features two quadrants for Scotland as opposed to just one on the Royal Standard.
Those quadrants are made up of a gold banner with the Scottish red lion.
NB: This entry has been updated to remove erroneous information about what type of flag is flown in Holyroodhouse and Balmoral when the monarch is not in residence.