Nicola Sturgeon will resign from her first minister post, she announced Wednesday. The move is prompting a new conversations about trans rights, independence and Jacinda Ardern.

The coffin travels more than 100 miles to the royal Palace of Holyroodhouse in the Scottish capital. Eventually, the queen's body will be taken to London for the Sept. 19 funeral.

Britain's departure from the European Union has changed the political realities for Scots since the 2014 referendum that rejected independence.

Seven years after choosing to remain in the United Kingdom and five years after opposing Brexit, voters in Scotland are going to the polls once again Thursday to elect a new parliament.

Recent polls show consistent support among Scots for leaving Great Britain. Many in Scotland think Prime Minister Boris Johnson is poorly suited to handle the pandemic and trust Scottish leaders more.

"A proud day for Scotland and a signal to the world that free universal access to period products can be achieved," said Monica Lennon, who championed the bill in the Scottish Parliament.