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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Chris McCall

Scotland falls silent as millions stop to watch 'momentous' Queen's funeral

Scotland fell silent today as millions of people stayed at home to watch the Queen's funeral unfold on TV.

Nicola Sturgeon said the service at Westminster Abbey was "one of the most momentous occasions in recent history" as political leaders and royalty from around the world gathered to pay their respects to the UK's longest-reigning monarch.

Many shops across the country were shuttered and workplaces closed to honour the late Queen Elizabeth.

Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell were among the 2,000 mourners to attend the first state funeral to take place in London since the death of Winston Churchill in 1965.

The First Minister was joined at the service by other Scottish party leaders including Anas Sarwar of Labour and Alex Cole-Hamilton of the Lib Dems. Alison Johnstone, the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, was also in attendance.

In a statement issued before the funeral service began, Sturgeon hailed the Queen "as the great constant" in people's lives.

"As the Queen is laid to rest, it gives us a chance to reflect on the events of the past 10 days which have provided a sincere, solemn and fitting tribute to our longest reigning monarch," she said. "We knew how important Scotland was to The Queen and, over recent days, we have been reminded just how much Her Majesty meant to the people of Scotland.

"I am sure the ceremonial events in Edinburgh will live long in our national memory and today we will all bid a final and poignant goodbye to a deeply respected and much loved monarch."

Sarwar said he was honoured to be invited to the funeral and described it as "a fitting tribute to a remarkable public servant".

Cole-Hamilton said: "A privilege to bear witness to history at Westminster Abbey. The culmination of a period of national mourning for the late Queen which, in its own way brought out the best in our family of nations."

HM Queen Elizabeth's coffin is carried out of the doors of Westminster Abbey (Getty Images)

Representatives from Edinburgh City Council also travelled to London for the funeral after the Queen's coffin laid at rest in the Scottish capital last week.

Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: "These past 10 days have marked a significant, historic occasion globally, and it is with immense pride that we can look back on Edinburgh's contribution. We are proud to have had the opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation, admiration and respect for the Queen who loved Scotland and its capital city.

"It was my honour to represent the city at the ceremonial events that have taken place at home and to then attend Her Majesty's funeral earlier today in London, where I was joined by the council leader. There was an atmosphere of camaraderie as people celebrated her life and said their final farewells."

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Iain Greenshields, was invited to read a prayer at Westminster Abbey. He formed part of the pre-procession of church leaders including the Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland, Very Rev Prof David Fergusson.

“The last ten days have been a whirlwind and yet time seems to have stood still,” Greenshields said. “It was a privilege and a real pleasure to spend time in the company of Her Majesty the Queen. She was considerate in every respect and had clearly taken time to understand her guests. I was struck by her tremendous recall and her obvious love for Balmoral and indeed Scotland.

“Preaching before the then Prince Charles at Crathie was a pleasant experience and an honour, but little did I know that in eight days' time I would be preaching in his presence at St Giles’ with him now as King, as we gave thanks for his mother’s life. The atmosphere in Edinburgh, and in particular in St Giles’, was very special as we paid our respects to the Queen and offered our sympathy and support to King Charles and his wider family.

"It was a dignified atmosphere that recognised the Queen’s strong connection to Scotland as well as a service of worship that celebrated the Queen’s clear and unambiguous faith. The tributes have been many and heartfelt and we have now held these final services and rites as the Queen is finally laid to rest."

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