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British Royals

Princess Anne ”really touched” by tributes paid on last journey of Queen Elizabeth II

The Princess Royal was ”really touched” by the thousands of tributes paid to Queen Elizabeth II on her final journey through Scotland.

Princess Anne accompanied the coffin of Her Late Majesty as it was driven for six hours from Balmoral to Edinburgh.

Now, a personal chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II has said that the Princess was touched by the turnout which saw tens of thousands of people line the long route.

Reverend Kenneth Mackenzie was in the car immediately behind that of Princess Anne and has told ITV News that ”The Princess Royal was really touched by the enormity of the numbers of people who were there. The numbers were extraordinary, it was hard to take in what was going on.”

The Princess Royal was with Queen Elizabeth II when she died at Balmoral at 3.10pm on September 8th 2022 and later spoke of how it had been ”an honour” to spend the final hours of her mother’s life at her side.

Princess Anne remained at Balmoral when her brother, King Charles III, had to return to London for the Accession Council. She was at his side a few days later when they led the procession behind Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin as it was conveyed through the streets of Edinburgh from Holyroodhouse Palace to St. Giles’ Cathedral where it lay in state.

The Princess also accompanied the coffin on its journey from Scotland to England.

Queen Elizabeth II died at 3.10pm on September 8th 2022. She had reigned for 70 years, 7 months and 2 days. She was succeeded immediately by her eldest child who became King Charles III.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.