Police Scotland has launched one of its biggest-ever operations as Scots pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, who has died at Balmoral Castle.
Britain’s longest reigning Head of State passed away on Thursday afternoon at her Deeside home, where floral tributes have been piling up at the gates.
The 96-year-old’s coffin is expected to leave Aberdeenshire on Sunday when it’s transported to the Palace of Holyroodhouse for ceremonial events in Edinburgh.
The longstanding plans, which have been rehearsed for several years, have sprung into action.
Authorities are understood to be preparing for Her Majesty’s cortege to travel through Aberdeen and onto Dundee, then Perth, before arriving in the Scottish capital.
Exclusive: The route the Queen’s cortege will take when it leaves Balmoral and heads into Aberdeen
Police bosses remain tight-lipped about the intricate details of the enormous operation ahead.
Strict protocols are restricting how the information is shared and when the unconfirmed arrangements are to be announced.
The unprecedented task is so complex that it demands a huge number of Police Scotland’s resources to be brought together.
A dedicated command centre will coordinate the movement of officers who will oversee the cortege and police ceremonial events across Scotland.
Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh are likely to be the main focus of police activities.
Crowds of mourners across Aberdeenshire are expected to line the A93 to see the procession driving through:
- Ballater
- Aboyne
- Banchory
- Peterculter
Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM previously said: “Police Scotland will work with partners to ensure all ceremonial and memorial events take place safely and with dignity.”
The majority of police personnel will carry out specific roles assigned to them while wearing their standard uniform.
But it’s also understood that some officers, who could be assigned ceremonial duties, may be required to wear more formal attire.
Despite being among the most significant mobilisations in the history of Scottish policing, it’s thought the operation won’t be as demanding as COP26, which took place at the SEC in Glasgow in 2021.
The 26th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference required the deployment of around 10,000 officers every day for almost two weeks.
They included officers from all 13 of Police Scotland’s divisions, with armed officers, dog handlers and horse-mounted personnel also involved, as well as support from forces over the border.
However, in the wake of the Queen’s death, the scale of Scotland’s policing operation will still be dwarfed by events to follow in London.
The Metropolitan Police – Britain’s biggest constabulary – will take the lead during the monarch’s state funeral in the UK’s capital.
Schools may close on the day to allow millions of Britons to mark the sombre occasion.
But local authorities have said that schools in the north and north-east will remain open as usual, until the official Royal schedule is announced.
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The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) also announced it would suspend all but essential business until next week, as a mark of respect.
At Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Friday, Sheriff Morag McLaughlin said: “This morning we are instructed to adjourn business that is not custody business or doesn’t procedurally require to call.
“Basically as a sign of respect for the passing of the Queen yesterday and as part of national mourning to allow people to do that and not be required to come to court.
“The instructions of Parliament is to adjourn cases other than those involving custody or children.
“I’m happy to hear submissions from anybody who would like their case to call.”
Flags have been lowered at court buildings across Scotland but the majority of court and tribunal business will continue from Monday September 12, the SCTS said.
