UNITED WE STAND
William and Harry show united front as they stand together to lead Queen’s grandchildren in historic vigil at her coffin
PRINCES William and Harry stand together last night to show a united front for a historic vigil at the Queen’s coffin.
The brothers put aside their differences to lead all eight of Her Majesty’s grandchildren at the ceremony in Westminster Hall.
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Wills earlier joined the King to meet some of those in the Lying-in-State queue by the Thames.
The Queen’s treasured grandchildren stood side by side last night in the ultimate show of respect for their beloved “Grannie”.
Brothers William, 40, and Harry, 38, were again united in grief — and together in military uniform — as they stood beside the coffin in Westminster Hall.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie earlier paid tribute, thanking the Queen for making them laugh and for picking heather and raspberries.
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They touchingly added: “It has been the honour of our lives to have been your granddaughters.”
Last night’s vigil was the first time that a monarch’s grandchildren have carried out the ceremonial mark of respect.
William and Harry led the eight, lining up shortly before 6pm.
As they were given instructions in an archway, Harry was heard saying something over William’s shoulder who appeared to reply with a “yes”.
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After two knocks of a guardsman’s staff on the stone floor all eight then emerged down the Grand Committee staircase — to the surprise of well-wishers who had queued for hours to view the coffin.
Sophie Wessex appeared in tears as she looked on from a balcony with Prince Edward.
Harry walked behind William so the formation could break with Wills at the head of the coffin and Harry at the rear.
Prince Andrew’s daughters Eugenie, 32, and Beatrice, 34, walked side by side in front of the Wessexes’ youngsters Lady Louise Windsor, 18, and .
Princess Anne’s children Peter Phillips, 44, and Zara Tindall, 41, were at the rear.
The grandchildren paused when they reached the hall floor facing the coffin and after three knocks by the guardsman they walked forward in formation, taking their places at 6.03pm.
Peter Phillips, James and Eugenie faced east, with Zara, Louise and Beatrice facing west.
At 6.15pm, public mourners were paused and the eight returned to the staircase.
This time Harry was at the rear but the formation was based on where they had been standing at the coffin.
As they made their way back up the staircase Zara’s right shoe came off.
She shared a smile with Louise before retrieving the heel.
Minutes later William strode to his waiting car. Harry linked arms with Zara as they followed.
Peter Phillips was flanked back to his car with Louise and Beatrice.
In a statement released moments before the vigil, Eugenie and Beatrice wrote: “We’ve not been able to put into words since you left us all.
“There have been tears and laughter, silences and chatter, hugs and loneliness, and a collective loss for you, our beloved Queen, our beloved Grannie. We, like many, thought you’d be here for ever. And we all miss you terribly.
“For now dear Grannie, all we want to say is thank you. Thank you for making us laugh, for including us, for picking heather and raspberries, for marching soldiers, for our teas, for comfort, for joy.”
The statement added: “Goodbye dear Grannie. It has been the honour of our lives to have been your granddaughters and we’re so very proud of you.”
Before the vigil King Charles gave Harry special dispensation to wear his military uniform.
Goodbye dear Grannie. It has been the honour of our lives to have been your granddaughters and we’re so very proud of you.
Royal statment
He wore his Blues and Royals, No.1 Uniform, KCVO Neck Order and Star, Afghanistan Operational Service Medal, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals and Army Pilot Wings.
William was dressed in his Blues and Royals, No.1 Uniform, The Garter Sash, The Garter Star, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals and RAF Pilot Wings.
The last time the brothers were together in uniform was at The Cenotaph on Remembrance Day 2019.
James wore commemorative medals designed for the Jubilee and handed to him by the Queen.
Sources close to the Royal Family said the grandchildren were invited by King Charles III to hold their own vigil last night.
They were keen to pay respects just as their parents did with such poise and honour on Friday evening.
John Suddes, 48, of Tow Law, Co Durham, was in the queue who watched the younger royals arrive.
He said: “It was unbelievable. To see them all in there like that all in their uniforms was just unreal.”
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Angela Morgan, 75, from Swansea, had waited 12 hours to pay her respects.
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She said: “Harry and William looked crushed, totally overwhelmed. It was completely silent. Harry deserved to wear his uniform. The Queen would have approved.”
- Additional reporting by Paul Sims, Scarlet Howes, Ryan Parry and Rob Pattinson
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