the balmoral estate staff to pay their respects, many of whom buckingham palace have spent a good deal of their lives in royal service here. the world family employing approximately 50 full-time, and about 50 to 100 part-time staff to maintain the estate and it's a working estate to all 50,000 acres. grass, forced trees, farmland, manage hurts a deer, cattle, ponies, and approximately 150 buildings on the estate too. lots going on, and certainly the world family are all there still with her. we saw them coming outside, yesterday, to these gates. heavy protected, now as you can see, to see those flowers. the tears of her grandchildren, sarah, and you janey, as they read their tributes to her majesty. >> and the thousands of people who have come to pay their respects, many from far and wide, they've had to put on bus services from the nearby towns

from braemar and dallas are, and ballots are, one of the first villages to which this cortege will pass. they will be preparing now, alistair, it is 10:00, to lift her majesty's body. the six gatekeepers whose role it will be to begin this journey for her. >> when she emerges from the castle, the ballots are world guard formed by peloton and company, at the world of scotland will present arms in a row salute to their sovereign of happy memory. the links that the queen had with the regiment went right back to the beginning of her reign and during that rain, the many threats of scottish military traditions will woven into that regiments.

and so she had great pride in being there colonel and chief. as she is brought through the castle and the castle, she will be watched by who those who looked after her in the final hours of her life. she will be watched by the state staff and then the simple procession will leave and we will see her shortly up here through the gates that recall and reflect her grandparents, king george the fifth and queen mary. it was during their reign that she was born and in the very first year of her life as an infant, she was brought through those gates to share one of those great summer holidays with the world family for which balmoral has continued to provide the perfect haven.

it was at the end of one of those holidays that the queen was called upon to receive a new prime minister. and so shortly after that, her last constitutional work done, the angels came to her haven, and started her journey to heaven. the least have stepped aside, and shortly that slow journey, the final journey from balmoral will begin. for the late, her man estate queen the elizabeth the second. queen of scotts. from the gate, they will pass across the river deed and then turned right towards aberdeen.

she'll pass through a number of different villages on the way and each of them, known very well to her, because always she nature, while here, at the castle, she took part in the civic life up aberdeen xia. the sign for the suggestion that all cars drive very slowly here, which prince philip assisted upon because at the red squirrels that's where so rare and so beautiful. really danced about on this drive. we wait now for the queen to start her journey which will take her through lands that her family knew well. she was -- through her mother, and the

bose lands as arose of stratton -- would themselves descended from the stuart kings and king robert the roofs. lived at glands castle not far from balmoral. he while we wait, the world family are saying goodbye in balmoral e to their beloved mother and grandmother, and the staff here in scotland are taking their leave. as they hand the monarch and family matriarch after her death back to her nation. to her roams, to the commonwealth and two people across the world who have been moved by the ending of a reign of more than 70 years.

and their life of more than 96. >> the sun will be illuminating the -- and knew of balmoral. as the queen leaves her beloved home. you

elizabeth the second, by the grace of god of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, queen, head of the commonwealth, defender of the faith, queen of scott's.

now turning down towards aberdeen. the coffin covered with the world standard of scotland and while she passed on to the main road the police had their heads bowed, police who throughout her light of sovereign had been responsible for maintaining her security. not least in her holiday home. and the beauty of aberdeenshire. the health -- new themselves scattered with memorials to queen victoria's time here, to marriages of the royal family and of course to the queen's own jubilees. there are places that she went with their family picnics, in a declining health but she had a right to the end the joy of her

family around her and they have now sent her on her final journey. she's accompanied in the car and her hurt by her daughter, the princess while, with her husband, abnormal search thomas and also following is the minister of the church where the queen worshipped regularly, just up the point that we saw her pass from our site. every week she would go and attend divine service, led by the minister, the reverend kevin mckenzie. reverend kevin mckenzie was a great orator and gave the most wonderful sermons and was often asked back for a drink with the

queen so she could talk about it in particularly with the duke of edinburgh. all parts of the life of this community here in ab -- which there are so many. the d. valley is where farmland juxtaposes beside the wildness of her have been and rocks. a babbitt into. and quite quickly as you the convoy moves to the east, the hills give way to shallow hills and finally come to the sea. but the d which is a threat all the way through, this valley

has always been part of the life of balmoral the knee and the fine lines here where the queens cattle have grazed. she heads towards a benghazi castle-y which was still used by the royal family when she was very young. just here there at the bottom of the picture. and part of the neighboring states of balmoral castle the. looking westward, towards the

hills of -- and again the family that used to live there were close friends of the queen and prince philip. and would also wear shipped quite regularly now at crappy kirk. from the rooms that she occupied at balmoral castle and attended to the boxes of the state sent to her. from the rams and from the commonwealth,, the queen could always glance out of the window over horses, and would always horses for her majesty to enjoy she knew all of their names, she bred plenty of them to particularly up here, the hill ponies, that she cared so much about and regularly went down to check how they were going

on. how. it's not a great distance to how alistair, the first time close to balmoral. and it was until the 60s, the railway line used to come and it was to ballot or seychelles that the royal family came by train to start their holidays and to say ballot or has always been important to the royal family and here is where the royal guard who had just presented on behalf of the armed forces the first alert of the late sovereign on this journey. it's where they are based.

now at victoria barracks named of course after the monarch who fell in love with these hills and who decided that this was where the royal highland would be. he the queen particularly loved going for picnics, lunches, and picnics uppers. and while that sounds like a cold and what thing to do, there were a number of old cottages on the balmoral estate that prince philip and she developed so that they were pretty places to go to. and from which to have walks across the countryside, of course the great thing about

scotland is that there is no rule of trespass. and very often, when the queen will arrive at one of the cottages that would be members to the public who might just happen to be having a picnic to and they would hear a cook often a of court gates parking. and the queen would always be very curtis because that was her nature. she would always be how they found her way there and learn that story. . on this an art gallery near here on the road where often members the royal family would go and spot paintings at balmoral and which we catch the queen's attention, consider whether they should be held in the private collection which

the ravalli holds admiration. the glimpse of very of the yellow and red of scotland's rampant coming from the roof, caught in the sun as allies across elizabeth the second. who carried the line rampant as queen for over 70 years and did her best to serve the kinship of scotts. and that of the united kingdom, the realms and her head ship of the commonwealth. other members of the royal

family who were at balmoral to see queen elizabeth leave will make their way now to holyrood where this procession will arrive in about six hours. no shortly they will turn towards alyssa and make their way through the main street where very often is a child, princess elizabeth of york would go shopping with her 90, and sometimes with her mother, then duchess of york. they lived at work all which

was quite close to where they quotation is now. it's only where we her uncle abdicated king edward the eight to marry mrs. symptom that this young girl's life would change completely hard. her father unexpectedly became kink, and emperor guard, at a time where there was a responsibility for the crown for an empire that stretched across the world. he and suddenly this young princess was the heir presumptive to the throne. how. almost immediately on the

points of accession, king george the six the queen's father, became very concerned that if anything happened to him that his daughter should be properly protected and made arrangements for parliament to adjust the regency act to make sure that this young girl whose life had now completely changed would be protected. but i her father side during the second world war and of course the second world war began aberdeen while the world family were at balmoral. and the king and queen had to leave in order to return to london on the advice of the prime minister. it was at balmoral where the royal family would've gathered

around the dining room table one evening that the aquarium came in. and i asked the king to leave the room. the queen watched as her father left, then the queen was called out to and there was some concern that something might have happened to churchill that it was the queen's uncle, duke of can't, being killed. the queen now comes into ballot or for the chance for the people about later to show their respect now. to one of the locals who has died who just happened to be the queen.

baleter.

the queen will be passing the entrance to the road now to victoria ballots where the world guard have stood stationed upon her protection. right throughout her reign when she has been here, and also pass the station.

a salute from the lord -- aberdeen, another lieutenants, as the queen passed, by the war memorial of se ballater.

the passes the fishmonger, the baker, the book shop, the clothing stores of the main street, most of them holding above their places of trade, royal warrants that they have earned from the queen and from the new king, as prince of wales. full and the queen and the prince of wales were deeply distressed when terrible flooding caused enormous damage here in. they took apart in supporting the reconstruction today as the final part of the procession passes by and we see the lord of dog he aberdeen.

so much damage was done on the bridge due to trace being pulled down toward, the deed they got caught at the bridge and that led the flooding of dog ballater. the queen's procession will turn and head towards aberdeen. a cross that bridge had there been more memories than one can tell the queen heading across that bridge in order to go to stay at burke all, as a girl, in those early days, where the very thought of queen ship was not even considered. and yet from this place, the town she knew so well hawaii,

the quietest and most scottish of salutes hawaii. from the succession of her father, it was clear to him and his wife, queen elizabeth, the

queen's mother as we knew her, that the careful upbringing of princess elizabeth and her younger sister, princess margaret roads was going to be a particular importance to prepare princess elizabeth for being queen. every parent does their best for their children. a bond was developed between the queen and her father that was as profound as any daughter can have for a father. whatever he did, it must have been entirely inspired, because while her family was dealing with the impediments that he

had in a speaking, which made it public moments like a zone cancel in 1936 so difficult for the new king george the six, but at the same time,, the king took such immense confidence from his wife, queen elizabeth, and from his two daughters. they were really powerful family, the king used to call them the -- and of course as the eldest daughter, she had to be part of the stability for her father during the challenges of the second world war. now the war began only a few years after her father became king, there had been no isis

from across in germany, as nationalism took a grip now, and during the war, the king stability and quiet voice, and hesitancy was itself, inspirational. now there are pictures of the queen as a young princess, beside her father, as he went through the red boxes. this picture is give a sense of the bonds between them as she studded and alert the way in which he was learning to be sovereign. to be separate, to be alone. i had the privilege of a

conversation with the queen about her coronation in 1953 knew, and she recalled how difficult it was to remember really much of it, because she was involved and making sure that she did what she needed to do, correctly, in a long ceremony. but she said she remembered her father's much better, and how i read her recollections, and indeed there is an exercise book written by the young princess, very soon after, she came into the palace after returning from this extraordinary moment of splendor for her father. as he was elevated to kinship. it's delightful description of an agent ceremony hawaii.

>> larry state, majesties secretary of communication, joins us now, and a deep sense for people like you who knew her, there like the queen has met balmoral and this part of -- for the last time. >> it is a balmoral beloved, in credibly said, a place that she obviously loved. and she loves this country so well and knows it so well. the small towns and villages were so important, they visited these publicly, but also privately. they are very familiar with these so many people,. if you're the with own history,

they went over belmar bridge, this wartime bridge. a single spanned bridge. the only structure in scotland designed by the notable engineer is embark kingdom brunelle. it was built on the instructions of prince albert -- she didn't like it because it's blacked ornamentation for her. the history of this place is steeped isn't, not in the royal family, 450 years? >> yes, prince albert built that castle from ground up. it was huge from his estate. it's in a scottish colonial style. but it's an intimate castle. it's a little bit magnified. that sort of struck me that when they were family over, especially her majesty, they were very visible but never troubled by anyone. >> and the queen acquitted of a ride by train as alistair was saying, there and pack the small station at ballot or is a

tea room now, is it not? and it host the queen victoria's waiting room and is much loved by the visitors alike. >> often in the team room, but yes i remember there was carriage that built by the king, many years ago and it was a popular visitor that i know within years. and only recently you drove the duke of edinburgh from edinburgh all the way to balmoral. what was that journey like? >> well it was after the floods in ballater, there was i think i don't member some of the pictures. he wanted to go see it from himself, the damage of the estate, but he also wanted to visit scottish shops and businesses just to see how they were covering. so i picked him up off the sleep, or a sleeper from london.

picked him up in edinburg, seven clock in the morning, we drove to balmoral. he went into the village, and then he went on to the extent the estate, and then i pick them up again, and we drove back. and i went back on the sleeper. he was 95 years old. in other ways he never wasted a single minute of his life. it was an extraordinary experience. >> it was a two of them together, wasn't it? who loved about moral. before that, it was the queen's parents as well at the time, duke of duchess and york, before he became king george the sixth. so it's really rooted in her and her happy memories as a child. but in later in life, what did she get that pumped being there and in this part of the world? >> i think she did love pink and adored. not the weather, nothing face the majesty. just the opportunity to go and do the things that she enjoys.

not that it was a blessed relief for some of the heavier official things that she had to do each morning. >> and they say the red boxes, there are only two days of the air where she didn't receive them. one was her birthday. one was christmas day. amidst all this glory, the beauty of roadside and that tangles a national park ship still had to go through her papers on a daily basis? >> yes that's just an understatement. that's our duty, she's very determined, a work something extraordinary. really was. >> how would she spend her days? what would they be like their? >> members of the public would often encounter the queen, and other members of the royal family, just out when she was writing sometimes. or just out on the hill. some of the places you to go for barbecues. these are just generally typical country pursuits. it's not the way in which nothing -- enjoying that countryside, because it is absolutely beautiful. it is a shame traditionally the

court east end of september, before that part in terms of autumn, when it comes autumn, the trees just turn, and it's stunning. it's stunning, very atmospheric place. >> as they make their way to the further villages of aberdeen where again, it's at that railway station, the d site, away from 1866 to 1966, and this village is set to be the gateway to both the highlands and the national park, besides it's well within the boundaries of present day aberdeen, it's the first village along the day to be located inside the parking bay as you can see once again. the people on the streets to say goodbye. how important is it to you think that people are being afforded this opportunity to see the cortege like this? >> they have the opportunity, which is important, but they have the space, space has been

made so that members of the public can as much as possible, and safe to do, so lie in the route. they desperately i think i've been very keen, full very determined to be there whatever they could, to get a view and just take a moment as that coffin goes past. >> and at balmoral, constant visitors, her family, and others, i remember being told on friday, while i was there, that visiting digit tree has little brown hills. i think they were american didn't, trees quite affronted that the mighty monroe's had been described that went up aborted her. >> you know she sort of familiar with that landscape, and she knows all of these lovely trimming names that tip of the tongue, not necessarily. she knows it so well. she would i was speaking to test -- i don't know but that story, but perhaps maybe a little bit just me, perhaps not impressive

enough. but it's a stunning stunning part of the world. >> and all of these cities that you will pass there, aberdeen of course the first one, the other car, an important oil city, she will have visit all of these as well would she not? >> many times. i had counted engagements with the majesty, and -- in central italy, we were chatting and he told me that he went to see the queen in aberdeen when he was working in edinburgh, and he went to aberdeen to see the queen. and easy talent. it was that important to him. it's just a very random encounter, but i think that's the -- people desperately wanted to see her. this is no different, obviously the circumstances is so different, but that sense of wanting to be there for her and to have her experience of

seeing that they were there, that part of history, i think is very powerful. >> she had this amazing smile, did she not? which puts people at their ease. that's what everyone says, she had this ability to put you at your east, including the photographer, on tuesday, who took the photograph of the queen, with a new prime minister. and the queen at the time commented that the skies have gotten dark, and the weather was coming in. talking about the weather that day, i know you are outside, and on the very wet day. but inside, with the fire, raging, and still that warmth, the sunshine smile, that comes from her. >> and that smile was there just much behind the scenes as it was in public. i just remember her real kindness and care, and her humor. she was perfectly very kind to me. a few years ago i had a diagnosis and i had to take some time off work, when i came back, the following year, she asked me to be her lady in

waiting at the garden party. officially there are two ladies and waiting. i was incredibly touched, and she asked that i wear the poach. they diamonds and platinum broach, and pink ribbon. she didn't have to do that. she didn't have to do that. that chair was meant as a welcome back. >> you are not the only one who talks about the kindness, and in fact, the household staff who had the opportunity to pay their respects with the coffin resting in the ballroom at balmoral. and then it will come here. later on today, to the palace of hollywood house. with the same time would be afforded for those household staff, many like, you who worked for years, decades with the queen, how important would it be for staff who are so deeply affected by this to be able to pay their respects? >> well i think it's to say the

punctuation points, perhaps it's not the right choice of words, but unique, that moment, because you still have a monarch. they still continue to serve that monarch. but they have to have that moment where they can pay their last respects, because of the many years of service that they have enjoyed. i think it's part of the fabric of them being part of the royal household, the world life, they have to have that moment, i think it's going to be quite moving. >> we talked about the visitors she had a balmoral, and the fact that last weekend, it was only last weekend, she was hosted to the right reverend -- the moderator of the general assembly of the church of scotland, who position important role obviously here in edinburg. and she enjoyed eating ice cream from the berries made at balmoral estate. she loved making jokes as well. and talk about the afterlife, as well. at one point, he asked, or what a favorite hint was?

she couldn't possibly tell him, because then that was the only thing that they would play. and so she was very contemplated, talking about some of the remarkable people that she has met. just reflecting on that. reflecting on life, and wear this like leads to. we just talked about that and eternal life, resurrection even. and what these things meant. and as things, these things happen in conversation, move on to something else. but extraordinary, only last weekend, they talk about that as they shared a beautiful meal, an intimate dinner. he said consisting of a fish course followed by lamb and ice cream, that she particularly liked made with those berries from the balmoral estate. so enjoying the convivial company of our family and guest, only last weekends. >> extraordinary woman. just extraordinary. i was very fortunate to have many lunches and dinners in the palace while the queen was in residence. it was always a wonderful

experience. always some nurse when you're trying to move a fish course on your plate. from a tree, but those kinds of memories is incredibly special. and i have many of my own. >> some people described her as a shy but clearly she enjoyed company. how did you find her? >> i wouldn't say shy. no, i found her to be very forthright. very straightforward. in many regards. it's that humor that always came across. that's a humor, but that was that twinkle, you could be in a room full of extraordinary people. impressive people. there's only one person in that room, really. >> that's exactly what the former prime minister, theresa may, said, she was the most remarkable person. she had ever met. >> i would agree. i would agree. >> and the twinkle perhaps most for her husband the duke of edinburgh. what were they like when they were together, and here at the

palace? >> that was private time but officially, the duke of edinburgh, obviously i wasn't supposed to be one day, i was in glasgow looking at the following engagement for the following day, and i didn't think i would be missed. and when i joined the party that evening, before dinner, she immediately came inside, you weren't there today. and the duke of edinburgh said here you are again. so there was always, she was always known where they were supposed to be when they were together. and i have to explain myself. >> they make each other laugh? >> oh yes. oh yes. there was always a lot of laughter. always a lot of laughter. i used to sit -- because the way the seeding usually goes, usually a woman wouldn't normally say next to her majesty. so i often sat next to the duke of edinburgh, so there is one conversation i was having with him that i had to say sort of, i'll give you my's -- can we change the subject? and i said no, we can't.

so i said i'm not the state, and he was warmly laughter. just at that point, her majesty started speaking to the other person on the other side, so he turns to still laughing. and at the lord jingle, to my right, said i don't care what you are about to say, i want to know what you just said to him. and i had to go, they're on again. but you know, you had to be yourself. sycophant cnn and all of that. in my experience, that was not something to be that appreciated. i found that very much put you at your. is clearly always respectful and mindful. but the sense of history as well with both of them i remember, watching something on the news, and it was a steam ship that had been restored in parts of a small ships on dunkirk. and they are cup of colleagues we're talking about it. the queen came and joined our small group. so i explained what we were talking about, and she citation what her recollections of that day and, just enraptured, thinking someone --

she's the queen! and a duck abetting bird on the drive north he -- joined to balmoral, on that occasion, he talked going over the bridge about his life, in the navy, and just i think about these roads, and this journey, actually talk to me about the old 93 used to be. you know the recall was a sharp, sharp -- never did. >> in the village and -- the castle, the lack, home to the oldest 18 holes golf course on row decide as well. since 18, times the crossing of the de river act can cut a o'neill. and you can see the people lining up there. and you can see as the cortege goes past quiet, respectful, contemplated, as not?

>> it does. it has thought to just walking pace. a lot of people to have that quiet moment. and we will never see this like again. >> we talked earlier about the importance of the princes role following the cortege alongside her husband and -- tim lawrence as well. and the fact that she has her family by her side for this journey, which we will see here to, when can cause our eyes and edinburg tomorrow. >> yes and it glad into my heart that the princess royal and sir lawrence will be competing them because to see her alone, would be very heartbreaking. it does feel very heartbreaking. and the princess royal it's

colin, it's colin a lot. she is the chancellor of edinburgh and varsity. she takes that love from her family, the duke of edinburgh. and she is very diligent in that role. so she's a very familiar -- i would say she's the most well visitor of the palace. she visit scotland a lot. >> and of course they were married at coffee cart as well, where they not? because it was a real marriage and the church of scotland allowed that at the time. so that was clearly a very important spot to her as well. >> it's very personal. and interesting, her daughter chose to be married at castigate kirk. just up the royal mile there. i was involved falling for that and working -- and it was so clear, how important it was in edinburg and scotland to the wrong family. >> we will certainly see that over the next couple of days when the coffin arrives this

afternoon later, and then tomorrow when the cortege process of the world mark for people most of the hollywood house, a st. charles. 11 century some of it still. -- very got the cathedral. >> it has been through many incarnations, has an op, and destroyed by the english, the jacket bites, and through the ages, it has changed. but a very important site for the royal family. >> it's a high kirk. when the queen wasn't residents, she worshipped at -- but that was also a familiar church for her, cathedral, church, as we say in scotland. >> louise tate, thank you for the moment. >> and alistair, we see once again the cortez slowing it to a walking pace, is it, as it makes its way through these villages on its way to the coast and aberdeen. >> yes, in pass a state that the queen knew well a

particularly glenn tonne, which was close to bomb or where the great hall used to be, a scene of many in advance, that gather people from this area, and prince philip and the queen often attended events there. they passed by and head no further towards aberdeen. and they will head through bakary. it's this ribbon of one major road and the river, old railway line, all meandering through the remaining hills as they head further and further to the east. i've had phone calls from friends of mine up those who live in the area around there,

places that they were going to go to a nearby village, some people called or pass the side of the road to watch. and this may continue all the way down. it is a chance for people to stop. when the king tide a 1950 -- 1952, it was by train that he was conveyed to london. but the hurst is a much more effective way of taking the queen on our journey to so many more parts of scotland. hey meanwhile, the king as a busy day, back at buckingham palace, in which we should remember that from the principal proclamation at st.

james's palace yesterday, when flags were put up to full mosque in order to celebrate the excess accession of a new king, the flags remains at full moss and we all, in a period of celebration, until 1:00 today, which will be an hour after the remain doing proclamations within the united kingdom, particularly in edinburgh, and cardiff. . and it is an irony that while we watch the mournful journey of the late queen to hollywood palace, that's further up the world mile, the opportunities to mark the new monarchs accession will be taking place, much as we've seen it before. people there on the side of the road who have come down to this our survey of life into the highlands sea of aberdeenshire.

the kings day at 2:00 we'll see in the commonwealth, the scotland and 1844 room at buckingham palace, half an hour later at 2:30 the king will attend a reception with the high commissioners of the realms of which she he is now kicking in the bay room at buckingham palace which is next door to the 1844 room we. and at 3:30 this afternoon, the king will receive the dean of winds or. -- responsible for st. george's chapel at windsor where we witnessed the funeral on the covid restrictions of the duke of edinburgh. and where ultimately, the

committal service for the queen and the private family interment would check place. the king oversee the dean of windsor in the 1844 room at 3:30 got the king will also be dealing with approve praising himself up the fast meant of business that the sovereignty needs to attend to you noted to function of government, not in the united kingdom, but also in the rams and across the commonwealth such as he takes part are delivered. that biden laid down by the queen as she is now taken by a grateful nation to the process of secrecy, the acknowledgment

of her life in death which will end with a funeral on monday wick at westminster abbey. coming into bakary i believe,.

a daughter of another community, officials along the side of the road as she passes through this main street, pass the ruins of the old church we.

leave an bakary and heading on

down towards aberdeen, when the procession will head south, make its way now past dundee and close to perth, before crossing the queens ferry, crossing the great bridge that the queen herself opened not too long ago. he then finally crowned a bridge into the edinburg itself. all the way, recognition being given to the queen in the small towns and villages, where just like the village around balmoral itself, the queen has been a neighbor and friend. what

now an msnbc special coverage of the world transmission in the uk, right now, the queen's coffin is heading to her official residence in scotland, as the people of the united kingdom prepared to pay their respects. >> my mother's brain was unequal in its duration. its dedication and its devotion even as we grave thanks to the most