Ceremonial and events guidance following the death of Her Majesty The Queen

Her Majesty The Queen’s Coffin will travel in a Hearse from Balmoral Castle, Royal Deeside to The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh on Sunday 11 September. 

There will be opportunities for the public to view the Royal Hearse and pay their respects at civic events as it passes through Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen and Dundee.

The cortege will travel from Balmoral on the A93 to Aberdeen, then North Deeside Road, Holburn Street and Great Southern Road past Duthie Park, and then to Dundee and Edinburgh via the A92 and the A90. Public and media viewing facilities will be available at the following locations:

Ballater event (10:00)

After leaving Balmoral Castle the Royal cortege will pass along the A93, reaching Ballater for the Aberdeenshire tribute at 10:12. This will be attended by the Lord Lieutenants of Aberdeenshire, as well as senior officers and Councillors. 

Media positions are on grass area in Ballater opposite Glen Muick Parish Church (Bridge Street). Sat truck parking will be available on Hawthorn Place. 

Media are also welcome to film the cortege anywhere it is safe along the route – best positions are likely to be in Aboyne, Banchory and Drumoak on pavement areas.  Stewards will guide members of the public at settlements along the route. 

Aberdeen event (11:00)

The cortege will follow the A93 and enter Aberdeen at around 11:00, following North Deeside Road and then travelling through Cults. It will proceed along Great Western Road, Holburn Street and Great Southern Road passing Duthie Park.

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen in his role as Lord-Lieutenant will lead a tribute joined by civic dignitaries from Aberdeen including Deputy Lieutenants, Council Leaders, other elected members, and the council Chief Executive.

There will be two media positions and public viewing at Duthie Park. Members of the public have been invited to pay their respects at the ceremony at Great Southern Road by Duthie Park or on a footpath along the route.

Temporary road restrictions will be in place from 06:00 the day of the event.

Dundee event (14:00)

The cortege will follow the A90 to Dundee, arriving at the boundary around 14:00, before proceeding west on the Kingsway to the Swallow roundabout.

Members of the public are being invited to pay their respects in standing areas along the A90 Forfar Road and Kingsway.

Civic dignitaries from across Tayside and Fife, including Lord-Lieutenants, Lords Provost, Council Leaders, other elected members and council Chief Executives will pay their own respects from a dais prior to the cortege leaving the city.

There will be rolling road closures along the route and very limited additional parking. Stewards will guide members of the public to parking sites and safe standing areas.

Edinburgh event (15:00)

The cortege will follow the A90 to Edinburgh, arriving at the boundary around 15:30. It will then take the following route through the city to the Palace of Holyroodhouse:

• Barnton
• Queensferry Road  
• Dean Bridge
• Queensferry Street           
• Lothian Road
• Castle Terrace
• Johnston Terrace
• Lawnmarket
• High Street
• Canongate
• Abbey Strand
• Abbey Strand Gate

There will be two public Proclamations in Edinburgh on Sunday 11 September to announce the Accession of The King.

At 11:25 The King’s Body Guard for Scotland (Royal Company of Archers) and the Guard of Honour will march from the Castle Esplanade to the Mercat Cross.

At 11:50 the main procession will make its way from Parliament House to the Mercat Cross. The party will consist of:

• His Majesty’s State Trumpeters
• Moderator and Office Bearers of the Society of High Constables of Edinburgh
• City Officer
• Macer to the Court of the Lord Lyon
• Heralds and Pursuivants of Scotland
• Lord Lyon King of Arms
• City Mace and City Sword

At 12:00 the Lord Lyon King of Arms will read the Proclamation to the people of Scotland. This will be followed by a 21 gun salute from Edinburgh Castle.

The Procession will then make its way to Edinburgh Castle where the Lord Lyon will read the second Proclamation at 12:30.

Very large crowds will be expected to gather along the Royal Mile to witness the Proclamations and there will be limited space. Those wishing to attend are advised to allow plenty of time. Access may be restricted for safety reasons if numbers exceed capacity. Please check City of Edinburgh Council and Traffic Scotland for further details.

Events will also be televised.

On Monday 12 September Her Majesty’s Coffin will be borne in Procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles’ Cathedral. In addition to the official party, it will be flanked by The King’s Bodyguard for Scotland (Royal Company of Archers) and the Guard of Honour.

Minute guns will be fired as the Procession makes its way up the Royal Mile. The last round will fire as the Hearse stops outside St Giles’ Cathedral.

There will be limited space on pavements along the Royal Mile for the public to see the Procession. Those wishing to attend should allow plenty of time.  Access may be restricted for safety reasons.

Further local information is available here: City of Edinburgh Council. Traffic and travel information is available here: Traffic Scotland.

 There will be a Service to celebrate the life of The Queen and her connection to Scotland at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Monday 12 September at 15:00.

Those represented include members of the public, friends, family members and representatives from the charities and organisations The Queen was affiliated to in Scotland.

The service will be led by the Reverend Calum MacLeod.

There will be limited space along the Royal Mile. Those wishing to attend are advised to allow plenty of time. Access may be restricted for safety reasons.

Please check City of Edinburgh Council and Traffic Scotland for further details.

 Her Majesty The Queen will lie at Rest at St Giles’ Cathedral following the Service before the Coffin’s journey to London. Members of the public who wish to do so will be able to view the Coffin at Rest and pay their respects. This is anticipated to begin around 17:30 on Monday 12 September and conclude the following afternoon.

There is expected to be a high level of interest and a queuing system will be in place. Please be aware that this is likely to involve standing for a number of hours in potentially challenging weather conditions, so come prepared.

Security checks will be in place at St Giles’ and certain restrictions will apply on mobile phones. Photography and recording is not permitted.

The queue will pass a number of locations where refreshments can be bought.

Read guidance on attending the Lying at Rest at St Giles' Cathedral.

The final public event will be the procession for departure of the Coffin from St Giles’ Cathedral by road to Edinburgh Airport.

The procession will be televised and public viewing will be available along the route.

Find out more about the route and arrangements.