King Charles III and his siblings escort Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin through Edinburgh

The United Kingdom continued its official period of mourning on Monday, exactly one week before Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral.

King Charles III in Parliament

First, the two houses of the British Parliament came together in London’s Westminster Hall for members to express their condolences directly to the new monarch, King Charles III, and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, for their personal loss.

“Parliament is the living and breathing instrument of our democracy,” the king told the assembled politicians. “While very young, her late majesty pledged herself to serve her country and her people, and to uphold the precious principles of constitutional government which lie at the heart of our nation. This pledge she kept with unsurpassed devotion. She was an example on unselfish duty. which, with God’s help and your advice, I am determined to follow.”

Travel to Edinburgh

King Charles and Camilla then left London to fly to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, where the Queen’s coffin arrived yesterday after a long journey by car from her Highland estate at Balmoral.

There, Charles was given the ceremonial keys to the city at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the royal palace in Edinburgh.

Procession along the Royal Mile

Queen Elizabeth’s coffin traveled down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, a thoroughfare through the Old City, to St. Giles’ Cathedral. King Charles followed on foot with his three siblings, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew.

The royal siblings were all wearing military uniforms, apart from Prince Andrew. Only working members of the royal family were allowed to treat in uniform, and Andrew retired from public life after one scandal involving his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Along the route, thousands gathered to see the royal family and say goodbye to the queen. Cannons fired from Edinburgh Castle at one minute intervals.

A service then took place at St. Giles’ Cathedral to celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth and her connection to Scotland. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and British Prime Minister Liz Truss both attended the service.

Located in condition

The Queen’s chest will lay still in St. Giles’ Cathedral for 24 hours, giving members of the public their first opportunity to visit and pay their respects in person.

After another condolence motion was tabled by the Scottish Parliament, Queen Elizabeth’s children, including the King, will hold a vigil around her coffin on Monday afternoon.