3 years ago / 1:47 PM EDT

Transit police presence gets boost ahead of queen's funeral

British Transport Police said Monday it will deploy additional police officers at railway stations and along travel routes in the days leading up to the queen's state funeral next week.

Security operations at transit hubs are being increased in conjunction with Metropolitan Police and City of London Police.

"People can expect to see a marked increase in highly visible patrols, with more officers on hand to support those travelling and to deter any criminality," Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said in a statement.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to pay their respects to the queen as she lies in state ahead of her funeral Sept. 19, providing a challenge for officials.

3 years ago / 1:07 PM EDT
3 years ago / 1:05 PM EDT

Queen's faith remembered in Scotland tribute

The queen's life and legacy were honored Monday in a homily given by the Right Rev. Iain Greenshields, the moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service at St. Giles' Church in Edinburgh, where members of the royal family paid their respects, Greenshields said the queen proudly represented both the Church of Scotland and the Church of England during her reign.

"She had little difficulty belonging to two churches, appreciating the strengths of each," he said, adding that she "she spoke unashamedly of her trust in God."

Her family and subjects, he continued, are "united in sorrow."

"Most of us cannot recall a time when she was not our monarch," Greenshields said, adding, "She has been a constant in all of our lives for over 70 years."

3 years ago / 11:55 AM EDT

Queen remembered at service at St. Giles' Cathedral in Scotland

King Charles III and other members of the royal family paid their respects to the queen with a thanksgiving service at St. Giles' Church on Monday.

The crown of Scotland was placed on Elizabeth's coffin during the service of prayer and reflection.

Charles left the cathedral later, as crowds stood outside to pay their respects.

Members of the public will be able to visit the queen's coffin at the cathedral, where it will remain until Tuesday, before it is moved to London.

3 years ago / 11:51 AM EDT

Royals, aristocrats and the public pay respects in Edinburgh

Elise Wrabetz
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin enters St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.Petr David Josek / AP
King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort; Princess Anne and her husband, Tim Laurence; and Prince Andrew follow the queen's coffin as it enters St. Giles' Cathedral. Jane Barlow / PA via AP
Prince Andrew; King Charles III; Camilla, the Queen Consort; Princess Anne; and Tim Laurence look on as the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, the Keeper of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, places the crown of Scotland on the coffin.Aaron Chown / Pool via AP
The crown of Scotland sits atop the coffin. Jane Barlow / PA via AP
3 years ago / 11:43 AM EDT

Man arrested by police after he heckled Prince Andrew

Police arrested a man who heckled Prince Andrew during the procession accompanying Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Monday.

During the procession to St. Giles’ Cathedral, a voice could be heard shouting: "Andrew, you're a sick, old man." Andrew was walking alongside his brother King Charles III and sister, Princess Anne, behind the hearse carrying their mother's coffin.

The man, who declined to give his name but said he was 22 years old, was subsequently seen being pulled to the ground by other spectators. He was detained by police as members of the crowd chanted: "God save the king!" An officer at the scene said the man was being arrested and accused of breach of the peace.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed that a 22-year-old man was arrested in connection with a “breach of the peace” on the Royal Mile at around 2:50 p.m. local time (9:50 a.m.).

Andrew's relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his confidant, the British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, have deeply embarrassed the royal family. In January, the queen stripped Andrew of his military titles, and the palace said in a statement at the time that he would no longer undertake royal duties.

The decision came after his lawyers failed to persuade a U.S. judge to dismiss a civil lawsuit that accuses Andrew of sexual abuse. Andrew reached a legal settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who had alleged that Andrew sexually abused her when she was 17.

3 years ago / 10:31 AM EDT
NBC News
3 years ago / 10:16 AM EDT

The procession of Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin

NBC News
Royal guards carry Queen Elizabeth II's coffin at the start of the procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St. Giles' Cathedral on Monday in Edinburgh, Scotland. Jon Super / WPA Pool via Getty Images
Members of the public gather to watch the procession of Queen Elizabeth II's coffin, from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St. Giles' Cathedral, on the Royal Mile on Monday. Andy Bucnanan / AFP - Getty Images
King Charles III, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew walk behind the procession of Queen Elizabeth II's coffin, from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St. Giles' Cathedral, on the Royal Mile on Monday. The queen will lie at rest at the cathedral.Phil Noble / AFP - Getty Images
3 years ago / 10:02 AM EDT

'It was so sad': Queen's subjects in tears as they pay respects

EDINBURGH, Scotland — Many mourners broke out into tears seeing the hearse carrying the queen's coffin pass through the Palace of Holyroodhouse gate.

“It was so sad,” said Audrey Loy, 62, struggling to speak through sobs, while standing on the Royal Mile. “I am just glad she died in Scotland so we had a chance to say goodbye.”

“I just feel for her children because they are grieving too."

3 years ago / 9:55 AM EDT

Mourners catch first glimpse of hearse through Palace of Holyroodhouse gate

EDINBURGH, Scotland  — Murmurs rippled through the crowd at the first sight of the hearse flanked by the Royal Company of Archers coming through the Holyroodhouse Palace gate.

“This is it,” one man says. Then an almost total silence, remarkable given the tens of thousands here. The only sounds are the horses hooves and the once-a-minute cannon fire from the castle at the top of the street. 

It was so quiet when the coffin passed that the only other thing you could hear were the footsteps of the royals and archers’ feet as they marched slowly behind. When it passed, there was restrained applause, and now the street is back to life again.