The News
Sophie Wessex Offers Comfort to Grieving Princess Anne During Queen’s Final Journey
In a poignant display of familial support, Sophie Wessex was seen comforting Princess Anne as they both watched the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Edinburgh.
The solemn occasion marked a significant moment as the late monarch's remains were brought to rest at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
This emotional scene unfolded after Princess Anne had escorted her mother's coffin from Balmoral, where the Queen passed away.
The Countess of Wessex, aged 57, tenderly placed her hand on the back of the Princess Royal, providing solace during this heartbreaking moment.
Both women, along with other royal family members, observed the dignified procession as soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland carried the Queen's coffin into the palace.
In a show of respect, the royal women curtsied while the men bowed their heads, honoring the legacy of the beloved monarch.
Princess Anne and her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence, traveled in a limousine directly behind the hearse, ensuring they remained close to their matriarch during her final journey.
The Queen's coffin is set to stay at the palace overnight before being moved to St Giles Cathedral the following afternoon.
Earlier in the day, a large crowd gathered to witness the midday proclamation of King Charles as the new head of state.
As the royal family stood together, both Sophie and Anne appeared visibly emotional, teary-eyed as they viewed floral tributes left for the Queen at Balmoral.
Thousands of Scottish mourners lined the route of the coffin procession, paying their respects as Her Majesty departed from Balmoral for the last time.
The atmosphere was thick with emotion, as well-wishers gathered in silence along country roads, bridges, and in village centers to bid farewell to a monarch who held a special place in the hearts of many Scots.
The procession to Edinburgh took over six hours, with crowds swelling to ten deep in some areas along the renowned Royal Mile, a place the Queen cherished.
As the hearse approached its destination, flowers were tossed onto the road, and applause erupted from sections of the crowd, a fitting tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to service.
During the journey, a single long-stemmed flower was spotted resting on the hearse's windscreen as it passed through Dundee.
In rural areas, farmers paid their respects by lining up tractors in fields, a testament to the Queen's connection with the land and its people.
The main street of Ballater, the quaint village closest to Balmoral, saw hundreds of locals gather to honor the woman they considered a neighbor.
As the hearse moved slowly through Ballater, flowers were cast into its path by mourners on both sides of the road.
The atmosphere was somber, and the hearse moved at a slow pace, allowing those present to catch a glimpse of the royal-standard draped coffin adorned with a wreath of flowers from the Balmoral estate.
Among these were sweet peas, one of the Queen's favorites, along with dahlias, phlox, white heather, and pine fir.
The procession also passed Glenmewick Church, where Reverend David Barr rang the church bell 70 times to commemorate the Queen's passing.
This act resonated deeply with the community, underscoring the profound loss felt across the nation.
Tomorrow, King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, will visit Edinburgh to join their siblings in walking behind their mother's coffin as it makes its way from the Palace to St Giles Cathedral.
Later in the evening, the newly crowned monarch will hold a vigil at the coffin alongside other family members, ensuring that the Queen's legacy is honored in the most heartfelt manner.
In these moments of grief, the royal family stands united, drawing strength from one another as they navigate the difficult path ahead, while the nation collectively mourns the loss of a cherished leader.