Queen Elizabeth II's final journey has begun. Her oak coffin left Balmoral this morning bound for Edinburgh after it was lifted onto a hearse by six of the estate's gamekeepers.<br />'' <br />'' Thousands of mourners are expected to line the route to pay tribute to her. The cortège will travel 100-mile through villages like Ballater and through cities like Aberdeen, before reaching the Scottish capital.<br />'' <br />'' There, her body will next lie at rest at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Scotland's first Minister Nicola Sturgeon said, the poignant journey will give the public a chance to mark their country's shared loss.<br />'' <br />'' Since her death on Thursday, the Queen's coffin, which is draped with the Royal Standard of Scotland and topped by a wreath of flowers, has remained at rest in Balmoral to say their last goodbyes.<br />'' <br />''Hundreds of miles from the Queen's funeral procession, a sea of people has gathered at Windsor Castle this morning. Former soldiers were among those seen paying their respects.