A look inside St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, where Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin lies at rest
St Giles #StGiles
Members of the public wait outside St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland on September 12, 2022.Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)
A Service of Thanksgiving was held in the Queen’s honor at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
King Charles III stood vigil with his siblings in the medieval cathedral as more than 20,000 mourners paid their respects.
The Queen’s coffin will remain at the cathedral until Tuesday when she will be moved to London.
Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrived at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Monday following a procession from Balmoral Castle.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrived at St Giles’ Cathedral on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland.Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
A hearse carrying the late monarch left Balmoral on Sunday and traveled to Edinburgh.
Members of the public have the opportunity to view the coffin and pay their respects before it departs for London on Tuesday.
A girl looks on ahead of the arrival of the Royals at a service in honor of Queen Elizabeth II at St Giles Cathedral on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh.Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images
After arriving at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Sunday, the Queen’s body was moved to St Giles Cathedral on Monday, where members of the public have the opportunity to visit and pay their respects, according to the Scottish Government website.
During Queen Elizabeth II’s 24-hour lying at rest period, King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew stood vigil as mourners filed by.
King Charles III, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, and Prince Andrew hold a vigil at St Giles’ Cathedral in honor of Queen Elizabeth II on September 12, 2022.Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Charles and his siblings Anne, Andrew, and Edward walked behind the Queen’s coffin as they led a procession from Holyroodhouse to St Giles’, where a Service of Thanksgiving was held Monday.
High-ranking UK officials like Prime Minister Liz Truss and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also attended a Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen.
British Prime Minister Liz Truss before the start of the memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II at St Giles’ Cathedral on September 12, 2022.Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Aside from the Queen’s children and daughter-in-law, Queen Consort Camilla, other notable attendees included Prime Minister Liz Truss and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Representatives from Scottish charities that the Queen patronized were also in attendance, according to Town and Country.
Members of the public stood in long lines outside the cathedral for a chance to pay their respect.
Members of the public wait to enter St Giles’ Cathedral to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II on September 12, 2022.Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images
On its website, the Scottish government warned those interested in visiting St Giles’ that there is “expected to be a high level of interest” and that attendees should be aware the event is “likely to involve standing for a number of hours in potentially challenging weather conditions.”
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The BBC estimated some 20,000 people joined a mile-long queue to pay their last respects.
The hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth ll arrives at St Giles’ Cathedral on September 12, 2022, in Edinburgh.Russell Cheyne-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Source: BBC
Founded in 1124 by King David, ruler of Northumbria and Scotland, the medieval cathedral has a long tradition of hosting important events in Scottish history.
The interior of the Thistle Chapel in St Giles’ Cathedral in November 1974.RDImages/Epics/Getty Images
A history of St Giles’ published on the cathedral’s website says it was founded by King David I in 1124.
According to legend, per the official website, the church was named after a seventh-century Greek hermit who lived in the south of France. After meeting the King of the Visigoths and joining a monastery, Giles was canonized as a saint.
The Crown of Scotland — which was placed on her coffin as she lay at rest — was first presented to the Queen at the cathedral during her first visit to Scotland since her coronation.
Queen Elizabeth II arrives at St. Giles’ Cathedral for the Scottish National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication on June 24, 1953.PA Images/Getty Images
The Queen visited the church a year after she took the throne for the Scottish National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication, Getty reports.
Her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was photographed saluting as the Crown of the Scottish Crown Jewels went on procession for the first time since the early 1800s.
The Crown of Scotland was placed on top of the royal’s coffin on Monday, People reports.
The Queen continued to visit St Giles’ throughout her reign for various ceremonies and installed several new knights there.
Queen Elizabeth II at a service of installation of a Knight of the Thistle at St Giles’ Cathedral on July 1, 1994.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
As the Sovereign of the Order of the Thistle, an order of chivalry that honors Scottish citizens for their contributions to the country, the Queen regularly visited St Giles’ to install new knights into the organization, according to the official website of the royal family.
Following the 24-hour lying at rest period, the Queen’s body will be taken to her final resting place at Windsor Castle in London after her funeral on September 19 at Westminster Abbey.
The hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at St Giles Cathedral on September 12, 2022Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images
The coffin will leave Edinburgh on Tuesday and be flown to London before the Queen’s funeral on September 19 at Westminster Abbey. After the funeral, the Queen will reach her final resting place in Windsor Castle next to Philip.
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