The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II has completed its final journey to Buckingham Palace, where it was received by King Charles III, and a sea of mourners outside the gates.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly travelled from Windsor Castle to join senior royals at the late Queen’s long-standing residence in Westminster, as the hearse carrying her coffin drove from RAF Northolt along streets lined with well-wishers.
Following the late monarch’s death at Balmoral Castle, after a 70-year reign, her body was taken to Edinburgh, where it lay in state at St Giles’ Cathedral, with tens of thousands queuing – some through the night – to pay their respects before her coffin was flown to RAF Northolt on Tuesday evening.
Crowds braved the rain and wind to line the hearse’s route as it drove through the capital to Buckingham Palace, making its way past Marble Arch, Park Lane and Hyde Park Corner shortly before 8pm.
There were smatters of applause and cheers of “hip hip hooray” as the coffin approached the palace, with people putting down their umbrellas as a sign of respect and others shining lights on their smartphones, either in tribute or to document the historic moment.
More follows…