From the BZ editorial team
It’s a moment that Charles will remember for the rest of his life. For the last time, the new king stands guard at the coffin of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth († 96).
His siblings Princess Anne (72), Prince Andrew (62) and Prince Edward (58) stand by his side at 8:47 p.m. German time, all dressed in naval uniforms. For 15 minutes on Friday evening in the British Parliament, they look after their mother, don’t make a face – although the pain must still be great.
Charles looks visibly exhausted. Because in addition to the grief for his “beloved mummy”, duty calls. The new king was in Wales for an inaugural visit this morning, as required by the protocol of succession. He had previously also visited Scotland and Northern Ireland.
At 8:47 p.m., King Charles and his siblings entered Westminster Hall Photo: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS | Hannah McKay
Brits wait 14 hours for final audience with Queen
Countless mourners processed past the royal family during the wake. A five-mile line stretched across London on Friday to pay their last respects to the Queen. The British government estimated the waiting time at 14 hours. Those who had queued last could expect to be at the coffin by midnight.
The Queen’s grandchildren will also hold wakes at Westminister Hall on Saturday. First and foremost: heir to the throne Prince William (40) and his brother Prince Harry (38) in their military uniforms.
The queue for the Queen’s coffin in Parliament was up to eight kilometers long on Friday – those who wanted to pay their last respects had to wait up to 14 hours Photo: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS | Markus Schreiber
Britain and the royal family bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth on Monday. At the state funeral, her coffin will be taken from Parliament to Westminster Abbey Cathedral. After the service, Elizabeth begins her final journey to Windsor Castle. There she is buried in the royal crypt under St. George’s Chapel in a private family circle.
Charles only learned of his mother’s approaching death shortly before the public
Particularly bitter: Charles is said to have found out shortly before the rest of the world that his mother was dying, as US journalist Jenna Bush Hager (40) – daughter of ex-President George Bush (76) revealed.
Bush was scheduled to interview Charles’ wife Camilla on September 8 at Dumfries House in Scotland. But around 1:30 p.m., the journalist heard hectic footsteps in the hallway and then a helicopter. On board: The future royal couple en route to Balmoral. The palace had only recently announced that the Queen’s health was worrying.