PRINCE William said walking behind the Queen’s coffin brought back heartbreaking memories of doing the same at his mother’s funeral in 1997.
The Prince of Wales solemnly marched alongside his brother Harry in the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall yesterday.
William talks to members of the public at Sandringham today
William and Harry during the procession following the Queen’s coffin yesterday
The brothers bowing their heads at their mother’s funeral service in 1997
It was a haunting echo of Princess Diana’s funeral, when the brothers, aged 12 and 15, stood side by side as they followed her casket.
And today, while viewing tributes to his grandmother in Sandringham, Wills, 40, said taking part in the late monarch’s cortege brought the pain flooding back.
Jane Wells, who had come to lay flowers at the Norfolk estate, said: “He told us it had been particularly difficult and following the coffin had reminded him of his mother’s funeral, of Diana.
“He said it had been very difficult.”
Another crowd member told the emotional Prince she was close to tears, to which he replied: “Don’t cry now – you’ll start me.”
The moving revelation came just minutes before it was announced William will stand together with Harry, 38, behind the Queen’s coffin at her funeral on Monday.
The brothers are set to show another display of unity as they mourn their grandmother, while their wives Kate and Meghan will follow in a car.
Yesterday, they stood side-by-side as they followed the late monarch – and they will unite in similarly solemn scenes for the state funeral on September 19.
After the service, a procession will be led by more than 200 musicians as members of the military line the route.
Royals will follow the gun carriage carrying Her Majesty’s coffin in the same formation as yesterday, with Wills and Harry putting on another united front in the sombre march.
It contrasts to the cortege at Prince Philip‘s funeral last year when Harry and William were separated by cousin Peter Phillips.
It comes as…
- Harry and Meghan are ‘furious’ Archie and Lilibet won’t get HRH status – but will be Prince and Princess
- A royal guard collapsed on duty next to the Queen’s coffin
- King Charles has travelled to Highgrove for a day of contemplation
- The monarch led his family on a sombre procession as the Queen’s coffin was taken to lie in state
- Heartbroken Brits have been queuing for hours to visit Her Majesty’s coffin
Next week, the Queen’s grandsons will follow their father King Charles, who will lead Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward to Wellington Arch from Westminster Abbey.
Meghan, Kate, Sophie Wessex and other royals will follow by car.
The funeral, conducted by the Dean of Westminster, will begin at 11am.
Following several lessons and a sermon by the Archbishop of Canterbury, there will be a two-minute silence, observed nationwide.
The national anthem will follow, bringing the service to an end at midday.
The Queen’s committal service will take place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, at 4pm on Monday.
She will then be buried with the Duke of Edinburgh in a private service at 7.30pm.
On Saturday, William, 40, and Harry, 38, appeared to put their differences aside after years of speculated rifts.
The pair, accompanied by Kate and Meghan, met mourners and viewed flowers left in memory of the Queen outside Windsor Castle.
William and Harry follow Princess Diana’s coffin in 1997
The Duke of Edinburgh, William, Earl Spencer, Harry and the Prince of Wales follow Diana’s coffin
A sombre Harry and William following their grandmother’s coffin
The brothers walked into Westminster Hall with Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle
The brothers appeared united in grief yesterday
