The body of Queen Elizabeth II is due to be moved from Balmoral to Edinburgh following her death this afternoon. It is part of the plans put in place for the eventuality that she would die in Scotland, known as Operation Unicorn.
Her Majesty died peacefully at her beloved Balmoral this afternoon, Thursday, August 8. With the Operation Unicorn plans now in action, her body will be moved first to Holyrood House and then to St Giles Cathedral, on the Royal Mile.
It is expected thousands of people will venture to Scotland - with the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood and St Giles' Cathedral identified as focal points for members of the public who wish to pay their respects. She will then be transported by the Royal Train which will take her back to London down the east coast mainline, reports EdinburghLive.
Once the Queen's body and family return to London, King Charles III is expected to set off on a UK tour, visiting the Scottish Parliament and St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, then Northern Ireland's Hillsborough Castle and a service at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast. Meanwhile in London, rehearsals for the Queen's the funeral will be taking place.
The Queen will lie in state for three days, as members of the public visit to see her coffin. King Charles will visit the Welsh Parliament and service at Cardiff's Liandaff Cathedral. During these final days, the Government will be finalising its plans for the day of the funeral.
A funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey, followed by a committal service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, where Queen Elizabeth II will be buried in the King George IV Memorial Chapel.
