Throughout the Queen’s funeral, the Princess of Wales provided steady comfort to Prince George and Princess Charlotte, assisting the young royals in coping with the most painful day of their young lives.
George, nine, and Charlotte, seven, the heir-to-the-throne, joined senior royals for the momentous occasion, starting their day by avoiding hundreds of mourners on the streets of London as they traveled to Westminster Abbey with the Queen Consort and the Princess of Wales.
Kate, certainly conscious that her two elder kids would consider the day emotionally tough, was a constant source of support to George and his younger sister, who wore a smart black hat with a bow and a horseshoe brooch given to her by the late Queen, as they ready to bid their adored ‘Gan-Gan’ a final goodbye.
It was evident from the first sightings of the siblings, who travelled in a royal car with their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, before later transferring to a procession car with Kate Middleton and Camilla, that despite their young age, both kids seemed to understand the significance of the day.
Without their youngest sibling, Louis, four, who did not attend the service, the Queen’s great grandkids cut solemn figures as they were driven to Westminster Abbey ahead of the Queen’s state funeral, which saw 2,000 dignitaries, foreign royals, and politicians pour into the historic London abbey.
Her Majesty made her last and most heartfelt trip from Westminster Hall as Britain grieved the death of its longest-serving monarch and the royals said farewell to a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
The Princess of Wales, 40, was a comforting influence for George and Charlotte, warmly gripping her daughter’s hand as the family arrived at Westminster Abbey – and providing a pat on the knee to her oldest son as the family was seated ahead of the service.
Princess Charlotte donned a black mourning coat with a velour collar and a matching wide-brimmed hat, while Prince George wore a navy blue suit with a black tie.
Prince George seemed mature beyond his years, realizing the historical significance of the event and calmly waited for his father, Prince William, to enter the Abbey after walking behind the Queen’s coffin.
The Princess of Wales continued to show her support for her daughter, including gently leading her inside the Abbey as the family passed through the oak doors.
Earlier, the two youngsters watched as Prince William, King Charles, and other senior royals marched behind the coffin as it arrived at Westminster Abbey in its claret royal vehicle.
Senior royals were hailed by members of the clergy leading the state burial as they arrived at the iron Abbey gates.
Wales is thought to have taken the second-in-line to the throne to the momentous ceremony after senior royal officials suggested allowing him to attend the state burial due to the tremendous symbolic message it delivers.
The presence of the couple’s oldest kids at the funeral today was unexpected. The Prince and Princess of Wales deliberated ‘long and hard’ over whether their two eldest kids, aged nine and seven, should accompany them.
However, after attending their great-memorial grandfather’s in March, William and Kate thought they could handle the gravity of the event.
As parents, they have, of course, given careful consideration to whether their kids should join them, a source added. Certainly, Louis is too young, but they believe George and Charlotte are capable.
George, who is just nine years old and has recently started a new school, is now the second in line to the throne.
With this in mind, advisors have urged that the people see the young Prince, who fondly calls the Queen ‘Gan Gan’ and is the Monarchy’s future.
It was the first public appearance of any of the Wales kids since the Queen’s death on September 8th.
The loss of their great-grandmother, the Queen, will be a hard blow to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, who will be starting a new life in Adelaide Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle, where Her Majesty spent the most of the year.
During royal walkabouts and engagements this week, the Princess of Wales provided insight into her children’s sadness, claiming that Prince George has a better understanding of their Gan-death. Gan’s
Prince William recently stated that the pair is attempting to keep things constant for their three children following the death of their adored Grannie.
The Queen’s grandson, Prince William, told royal admirers outside the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk that the youngsters are settling in after their great grandma died during the ‘first week of school.’ He did, however, add that they were ‘doing OK.’
