The Queen's Coffin in the UK, First Public Display... Memorial Lines Everywhere She Goes (Comprehensive)

First Public Display of National Archives in 57 Years
Over 750,000 Expected to Pay Respects in the UK
UK Government Deploys 1,500 Troops for Security

On the 12th (local time), at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the funeral mass for the late Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was held, King Charles III (in front of the coffin) and members of the royal family presided over the funeral proceedings. The Queen's coffin was opened to the public for the first time for 24 hours on this day and is scheduled to be placed in Westminster Hall on the 14th. Edinburgh, UK = AP·Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was publicly displayed for the first time four days after her passing. The coffin, which began the first funeral rites in Scotland where the Queen passed away, will soon be moved to the capital, London, to receive foreign dignitaries and other mourners. With over 750,000 mourners expected to attend both inside and outside the UK, the British government has begun drafting emergency plans.

According to the British BBC on the 12th (local time), the Queen’s coffin, who passed away on the 8th at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, was transported to St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh on the same day to begin the first funeral rites. The funeral procession included the new King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and other members of the royal family.

Previously, the Queen’s coffin, draped with flowers and the Royal Standard flag of the United Kingdom for Scotland, was loaded onto a hearse and first transported to Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. Along with seven funeral vehicles carrying members of the royal family, the procession traveled 280 km along the national road from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh over six hours. Many citizens lined the route to witness the Queen’s funeral procession.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The Queen’s memorial service held at St Giles' Cathedral that day saw the participation of numerous key cabinet members and political figures, including UK Prime Minister Liz Truss. From around 5:30 PM after the service, the Queen’s coffin was publicly displayed for 24 hours for the first time.

This is the first time in 57 years since the state funeral of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1965 that a royal funeral has been publicly displayed in the UK. Originally, the Queen’s remains were scheduled to be displayed starting on the 14th, but the coffin was first revealed in Scotland.

Some analysts interpret this as a measure to ease anti-monarchy sentiment in Scotland. Previously, the Scottish Government held a referendum in 2014 on independence from the UK, which was rejected with 45% in favor and 55% against.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The Queen’s coffin will be flown by an air force plane to RAF Northolt in west London on the following day, the 13th, and then transported to Buckingham Palace, the official royal residence. From the 14th, it will be moved to the central hall of Westminster Hall and displayed to the public for four days during the mourning period until the state funeral on the morning of the 19th.

During the mourning period, numerous world leaders are expected to visit the UK. Alongside US President Joe Biden, European leaders including Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, as well as leaders from Commonwealth countries such as Canada and Australia, will attend the mourning. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol is also scheduled to attend.

On the 19th, the day of the state funeral, a two-minute nationwide moment of silence will be observed across the UK starting at 2 PM when the funeral ceremony begins. After a one-hour funeral service, the coffin will be placed on a gun carriage pulled by horses and transported to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in the London suburbs, where the ceremony will continue before the coffin is laid to rest in the royal vault. The Queen will be interred beside her husband, Prince Philip.

It is expected that over 750,000 mourners will flood in from both inside and outside the UK. According to The Times, a government official from the Cabinet Office stated regarding the funeral, “We are currently drafting emergency plans based on the assumption that about 750,000 mourners will visit Westminster Abbey.” The British government is reportedly planning to deploy 1,500 military personnel to secure the mourning procession due to concerns over potential security threats such as terrorism.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.