Queen's coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace
LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II completed the last leg of her final journey.
The late British monarch’s coffin was flown from Edinburgh, Scotland, back to London on Tuesday and was then driven in a state hearse to her official home, Buckingham Palace — six days before her state funeral at Westminster Abbey.
A massive crowd was assembled at the palace Tuesday evening ahead of the hearse’s arrival. A light rain was falling as the crowd looked on in near silence, with some seen tracking the coffin’s movements on their phones.
People craned their necks, hoping to catch a glimpse of the vehicle, saying they were there to bear witness to what they believe was a once-in-a-lifetime moment, regardless of how they feel about the queen and the monarchy.
Anne, Princess Royal, was with Queen Elizabeth II on her final day
Anne, the Princess Royal, spent her mother's final hours with her, she said in a statement.
"I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother’s life," she said about Queen Elizabeth II. "It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys."
Anne also offered her thanks to those sharing in her family's loss, adding that it's "both humbling and uplifting" "witnessing the love and respect shown by so many."
"We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted," she said.
Anne also said she was grateful for the support her elder brother, King Charles III, has received as he's stepped up in his new role as monarch.
"To my mother, The Queen, thank you," Anne ended the statement.
Millions track final flight of queen's coffin
Nearly 6 million people logged on to Flightradar24's real-time map to follow the aircraft carrying Queen Elizabeth II's coffin as it traveled Tuesday from Edinburgh, Scotland, to London.
The flight tracking service said the number of viewers — roughly the same as the population of Scotland — was so high it caused disruption to its platform.
Plane with queen's coffin lands in London
The plane carrying Queen Elizabeth II's coffin landed Tuesday evening at RAF Northolt, a Royal Air Force station near London.
The queen's coffin will be driven to London's Buckingham Palace, where it will stay until Wednesday. Elizabeth will then be taken to the Palace of Westminster, where she will lie in state until her funeral Monday at Westminster Abbey.
King Charles and Camilla arrive at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III and his wife, Camilla, the Queen Consort, reached Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday evening, ahead of the expected 8 p.m. (3 p.m. ET) arrival of the queen's coffin.
Queen’s coffin loaded onto plane headed for London
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin has been loaded onto a plane headed for London.
The queen’s coffin is due to arrive at London’s Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. (3 p.m. ET). A line has already begun forming for those who hope to bid farewell to the queen when she lies in state at Parliament later this week.
Anne, Princess Royal, and her husband, Timothy Laurence, are accompanying the queen on the flight back to London.
King appears annoyed at leaky pen during signing ceremony
King Charles III appeared frustrated at a leaky pen during a signing ceremony in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, saying he couldn't "bear this bloody thing."
The king was signing a visitors' book at Hillsborough Castle near Belfast as cameras rolled after ink appeared to leak onto his hand.
“Oh, God, I hate this,” Charles said as he stood up and handed it over to his wife, Camilla, so she could sign the book.
“I can’t bear this bloody thing ... every stinking time,” he said, before walking off.
Queen's coffin carried onto plane bound for London
Pallbearers from the Queen’s Color Squadron of the Royal Air Force could be seen carrying Queen Elizabeth II's coffin, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, onto a RAF C17 aircraft at Edinburgh airport Tuesday.
The coffin will now be moved to Buckingham Palace in London.
Queen's coffin leaves cathedral in Edinburgh to head to London
The body of Queen Elizabeth II was carried from St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Tuesday to begin the journey back to London.
The crowds along the way were largely silent, although occasionally clapping erupted as the coffin was transported by hearse to Edinburgh Airport.
It will then be flown to RAF Northolt near London, and then driven to Buckingham Palace.
On Wednesday, it will be transported to the Palace of Westminster where Elizabeth will lie in state until her funeral Monday in Westminster Abbey.