Status: 09/13/2022 8:12 p.m
The coffin with the late Queen Elizabeth II has arrived in London. Thousands of people had said goodbye in Edinburgh, Scotland. In addition to the public mourning, there are now also critical tones.
Her coffin has arrived in London five days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in Scotland. In the afternoon he was carried out of St. Giles Cathedral in the Scottish capital Edinburgh and then taken to the airport. Tens of thousands of people had previously paid their last respects in the Queen’s cathedral.
The coffin was flown to London in a British Air Force aircraft, accompanied by Queen’s daughter Princess Anne and her husband. The transport aircraft landed at Northolt Air Force Base in the west of the British capital. There he was received with military honors. British Prime Minister Liz Truss and Defense Secretary Ben Wallace also attended the ceremony.
The coffin is then driven to Buckingham Palace, where it was carried by King Charles III. is received and stays overnight in the so-called Bow Room. Despite the rain, numerous people are waiting along the route towards the city center and at the palace to catch a glimpse of the hearse.
King Charles III travels to Northern Ireland, Queen’s coffin is flown to London
Sven Lohmann, ARD London, daily news at 5:00 p.m., September 13, 2022
From Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall
The Queen’s body is due to be taken to Westminster Hall in a solemn procession through London on Wednesday. The funeral procession is led by King Charles III from Buckingham Palace. For four days, the public has the opportunity to say goodbye 23 hours a day in Westminster Hall. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected, some estimates speak of up to two million mourners. Waiting times of more than a day are expected.
Before sunrise today, thousands of soldiers in ceremonial uniforms rehearsed for the procession. Royalists have already gathered along the route to ensure a good view of what is happening.
Meanwhile, King Charles III. with his wife Camilla Northern Ireland. Charles was greeted with cheers and a gun salute. In Hillsborough, the king first met the British Minister for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, and representatives of the political parties. He is now back in London to receive his mother’s coffin at Buckingham Palace.
Representatives of Russia not at the state funeral
Hundreds of heads of state and government, members of royal families and other dignitaries are expected to attend the state funeral next Monday in London, including US President Joe Biden and German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Representatives of Russia are undesirable. According to a media report, representatives of Russia and Belarus, against which Britain has imposed numerous sanctions, and Southeast Asian Myanmar have not received an invitation. The PA news agency also reported, citing government sources, that Iran, with which diplomatic relations are strained, should only be represented at ambassadorial level.
Debate on freedom of speech
In addition to the public mourning, there is now also a debate in Great Britain about a possible lack of freedom of expression. Reason are several arrests of monarchy opponents. Ruth Smeeth, head of the Index on Censorship organization, described the arrests after protests against the monarchy as “very worrying”, according to the BBC. The royal ceremonies should neither intentionally nor unintentionally restrict citizens’ freedom of expression.
Jodie Beck of the Liberty organization said it was very worrying that the police were using their powers in a harsh and punitive manner, according to the BBC. London’s Metropolitan Police pointed to the enormous challenge facing police at the royal mass events, but also reassured the public had a right to protest.