King Charles addresses Parliament ahead of vigil for Queen Elizabeth

A day after Queen Elizabeth II’s body was transported from her estate in Scotland to Edinburgh for a vigil there, King Charles III addressed Parliament as condolences from both houses were shared. Monday’s speech, taking place at Westminster Hall, happened just before King Charles made his own way to Edinburgh. He paid tribute to his mother, quoting Shakespeare’s remarks of the earlier Queen Elizabeth, “she was a pattern to all princes living.”

“We gathered today in remembrance of the remarkable span of the Queen’s dedicated service to her nations and peoples,” Charles said. “As I stand before you today, I cannot help but feel the weight of history which surrounds us and which reminds us of the vital parliamentary traditions to which members of both houses dedicate yourselves with such personal commitment for the betterment of us all.”

Monday’s vigil is set to take place at St. Giles’ Cathedral on the Scottish capital’s centuries-old Royal Mile. For the procession, King Charles will lead some of the royals on foot. This is expected to include his three siblings, the Duke of York, Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. The king will walk behind his mother’s coffin as it is slowly transported from Holyroodhouse to St. Giles’ Cathedral. The Queen consort and other family members are expected to follow in cars.

The crown of Scotland will be placed on the coffin ahead of a service of prayer and reflection on the life and 70-year reign of the widely cherished monarch. Members of the public will be able to view the coffin at the cathedral and pay their respects before being flown to London on Tuesday. The coffin will lie in state beginning Wednesday until Queen Elizabeth’s funeral set to take place one week from Monday on Sept. 19.