The long wait to view the Queen's casket in Edinburgh ends in 'spiritual' experience for many
Mourners and admirers of monarch reflect on their short time in her prescence
The lineup to spend just a few moments in silence beside the casket of Queen Elizabeth stretched for kilometres through Edinburgh's historic city centre — and when the moment finally arrived, some described it as "surreal" and incredibly "spiritual."
"That's the closest we've ever got to her," said Vicki Agnew, who brought her nine-year-old son, Rory, to St. Giles' Cathedral in the heart of the city's Royal Mile.
"It's very surreal," Agnew told CBC News on Tuesday.
Her son said he was overwhelmed by the experience. "It was mixed emotions," Rory said. "I was quite sad for her — although it was quite exciting as well."
Tens of thousands of Scots and other visitors to the country tolerated waits of up to 15 hours to pay their respects as the Queen laid in rest.
Queen Elizabeth, 96, died last Thursday at her Balmoral estate, several hours away from Edinburgh in the Scottish Highlands. On Sunday, a six-hour procession along country roads and highways brought her body to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
The next day, it was moved to St. Giles' Cathedral, where the Queen's four children — King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — stood in a solemn vigil Monday evening.
Once they left, the doors of the almost 900-year-old church were opened to the public until Tuesday at 3 p.m. local time. People were able to file past an honour guard and spend several minutes next to the coffin, which was draped in the gold and red colours of Scotland's Royal Standard.
"It was not as I thought," said Diane McCrea of Edinburgh, who was awarded the Order of the British Empire by the Queen in 2015 and met her at the time.
"As you approach, your heart starts pounding and the emotion is there — it's the same for everyone," she told CBC News as she exited the cathedral, her jacket decorated with her MBE medal.
"The emotion really grabs people."
'The Queen's been the only constant for all of us'
Among those who waited for hours were three 17-year-old friends, who woke up before dawn on Tuesday to secure a coveted purple armband that granted them access to St. Giles'.
"I didn't expect to be as emotional as I was when I was seeing the coffin," said Sam Seith of Edinburgh. "It just felt very surreal."
His friend, Ronald MacDonald, said he was also moved.
"I actually didn't expect to feel what I felt when we went in. But then I actually felt quite sad when it all happened."
Several kilometres away at the end of the line, people were still queuing after lunch, even though city staff at the scene warned them the church doors would likely close before they could get in.
"They said that there's a slim chance we'll get through. But I think we all decided that it was worth, you know, taking this opportunity because it's not going to come around again," Jack Donahue said.
"I think the Queen's been the only constant for all of us. You know, she was there when I came into the world and she's just always been there."
"I think it was one of these things that if you didn't try, then I was going to feel remorseful that I hadn't had a go," said Shona Watson, who, like other parents, said they got a late start on the line because they had to wait to find child care.
Alison Clark was more fortunate. She drove in from Perth, an hour away, and said she was moved by the short time she got to be in the Queen's presence.
"Although her spirit is no longer there, in many ways [it] will stay with the people of this country. And I think that's a wonderful gift and a wonderful legacy that she's left to our people."
King Charles 'is going to do great things'
Support for the monarchy has traditionally been softer in Scotland than in England, and there's a substantial republican movement that proposes to jettison the monarchy should Scots ever vote in favour of independence from the United Kingdom.
But over the weekend and into Tuesday, enthusiastic crowds have paid tribute to the Queen and given other members of the Royal Family a warm welcome, especially the new King.
Aaron Patricks, 17, said he felt Charles was off to a strong start and would be a good representative for Scotland.
"There are huge opportunities now for Scotland," he said.
"Charles has always had care for environmentally healthy, renewable energy sites, which Scotland is major in the production of. So I think it will benefit Scotland a lot.
"I think [Charles] is going to do great things."
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