Proceedings in Edinburgh started at noon,with the reading of the proclamation declaring the new King,the same that was heard twice in London on Saturday. It was also read in Cardiff and at Hillsborough Castle near Belfast.
Near Edinburgh’s cathedral tempers started to fray a little as people jostled for position and climbed onto barriers and squeezed onto steps of shops to get a better view.
Police confirmed a woman was arrested in connection for breaching the peace moments before the proclamation after she held up a sign saying “f--- imperialism,abolish monarchy”.
Officers appeared behind her and took her away,prompting the crowd to applaud. One man shouted:“Let her go,it’s free speech,” while others yelled:“Have some respect.”
The streets were packed a few hours later with mourners who entered into polite and subdued applause as the hearse,followed by her daughter,the Princess Royal and her husband,Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence,drove down the Royal Mile and filed through the city’s narrow streets about 4.30pm.
People threw single red roses,despite a plea from local authorities not to because of safety and security. The cortege received a guard of honour by the King’s Bodyguard for Scotland,the Royal Company of Archers,as it entered the palace. The coffin was received by Prince Andrew and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
The King,who will begin a tour of the United Kingdom from Monday,attended a reception in London on Sunday with the high commissioners of the 14 Commonwealth realms,where he has become the head of state.
Representatives of Antigua and Barbuda,Australia,Belize,Canada,Grenada,Jamaica,New Zealand,Papua New Guinea,Saint Kitts and Nevis,Saint Lucia,Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,the Solomon Islands,Tuvalu and the United Kingdom assembled in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace.