All Together... Royal Family Welcome The Queen Home

THE Queen last night returned to Buckingham Palace for the final time, to be welcomed by her closest family before they hand over her coffin to the nation today.

- Richard Palmer

Cheers erupted from the growing crowds of public mourners as the cortege passed through the gates and into the quadrangle where the Guards of the Household Division stood to attention, resplendent in their red tunics.

Myriad mobile phones and cameras held aloft had bathed the new state hearse in a sea of light, picking out the oak coffin which was draped with the Royal Standard and topped with white flowers.

Along the 14-mile route in to central London from the Queen's arrival at RAF Northolt from Scotland, thousands ha lined the streets oblivious to the downpours.

Umbrellas were lowered out of respect as the cortege passed, letting the evening raindrops mingle with tears running down the faces of many onlookers.

Some kept their emotions private and watched on in sombre silence, while others among the grieving bystanders applauded some even launched bouquets onto the limousine's bonnet.

Once inside Buckingham Palace - which was synonymous with Her Majesty even though she never really wanted it to be home - her children and grandchildren had private time with the coffin, joined by their spouses and by Princess Margaret's children Earl Snowdon and Lady Sarah Chatto.

There will be further such family moments when the monarch, who died last Thursday aged 96, is laid to rest at Windsor next week.