A SERVICE of thanksgiving will get underway at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh at 3pm on Monday with dozens of politicians and charity representatives in attendance.
Following a procession of the Queen’s coffin up the Royal Mile from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, a congregation drawn from all areas of Scottish society will pay their respects to the late monarch as the capital becomes the centre of tributes.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be among the guests in attendance and will perform a reading of Ecclesiastes.
The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone will also be there along with other politicians, the Lord Lieutenant of Scotland, council officials, members of the armed forces, war veterans, judiciary, and consular officials.
Representatives from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, the Royal National MOD, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Scottish Football Association, the Royal Scottish Forestry Society, the Faculty of Advocates (Scotland), the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society will also be attendance.
The Queen was patron of a number of Scottish charities. Forces Children Scotland will be represented, a charity close to The Queen’s heart that has benefitted from Royal Patronage since 1852.
The guest list additionally reflects the Queen’s interest in a wide range of organisations throughout her reign and includes people involved in the arts, sports, education, the emergency services, faith groups, and the media.
Alongside words from the First Minister, there will be readings from Nigerian student Samuel Nwokoro, the Right Reverend Dr Iain Greenshields, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and others.
The service – which will be attended by the King and Queen Consort - will be led by Reverend Calum MacLeod.
As mourners enter the church, they will arrive to music sung by the Choir of St Giles’ Cathedral, conducted by the master of the music Michael Harris.
The organ will be played by Jordan English, assistant organist of St Giles’ Cathedral.
The service will end with the national anthem before the royal party leaves.
The public will then be able to view the coffin from 5pm to pay their respects before it is taken to London to lie in state on Tuesday afternoon.
The Crown of Scotland will be placed on the Queen's coffin while it lies in rest in Edinburgh.
Historically, the crown has been used in ceremonies to represent the sovereign's presence and it will be placed on Elizabeth's coffin by Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, the 16th Duke of Hamilton.
Historic Environment Scotland confirmed it will remain with the Queen while she lies in rest at St Giles's.
