Today, Prince George and Princess Charlotte will attend their great-burial, grandmother’s marching behind her coffin into Westminster Abbey.
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. Louis, the couple’s youngest child, is only four years old and will not be attending.
As parents, they have, obviously, 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.
The kids are expected to be present during the committal service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor this afternoon. They must decide if they want to participate in the march there as well.
George and Charlotte will accompany Kate and Camilla to the Abbey by automobile before joining the foot procession as it enters.
A bell will ring 96 times before today’s state funeral service at 11 a.m., representing the years of Queen Elizabeth’s life. According to Buckingham Palace, the service will honor the Queen’s amazing reign and lifetime of service as head of state, nation, and Commonwealth.
The Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, will lead the service, which will include hymns such as The Lord’s My Shepherd and Love Divine. The Queen herself selected all components of the lessons, which include 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 53-end, and John 14:1-9a.
The Choir of Westminster Abbey will perform a specially commissioned choral composition, Like As The Hart, penned by the Master of The King’s Music, Judith Weir. The choir will also perform O Taste And See, a brief song written by Ralph Vaughan Williams for the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will read the first lesson, and Prime Minister Liz Truss will read the second, with prayers from notable clergy such as the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of York.
Tears will undoubtedly flow during The Last Post and Reveille, as well as the first significant public performance of the National Anthem.
A performance of Sleep, Dearie, Sleep by the Queen’s piper will be extremely meaningful to her family.
Following the service, the bells of Westminster Abbey will be rung, totally muffled, as is customary following the funeral of the monarch. The casket will next make its last trip from London to Windsor. The committal service in St George’s Chapel at 4 p.m. will be more intimate and personal.
And, with no cameras present, the Royal Family will convene at 7.30 p.m. for a private burial.
