Queen embarks on final journey

Thousands of mourners thronged the route for the final journey of Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday as her coffin arrived in Edinburgh from the Scottish retreat where she died. Huge crowds packed the streets of Scotland's capital as the hearse bearing Britain's longest-serving monarch completed the first leg of a sombre odyssey that'll culminate with her state funeral in London on September 19.

Soldiers in kilts stood to attention as the seven-car cortege arrived at Holyroodhouse Palace, the monarch's official residence in Scotland, after a six-hour drive from the queen's Balmoral residence where she passed away on Thursday.

Some of the well-wishers along the way had thrown flowers or applauded, while others were in tears as the convoy including the queen's only daughter Princess Anne went by. "It is history in the making," said former soldier Stuart Mackay.