On Saturday, the grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II gave her a heartfelt homage. By the request of their father, King Charles III, Prince Harry and Prince William, and their cousins, stood vigil at the coffin of their grandmother in Westminster Hall for 15 minutes of silence while dressed in their full military uniforms. The queen’s other grandchildren donned mourning jackets, dark formal clothing, and decorations.
The Duke of Sussex stood at the queen’s feet, while the new Prince of Wales stood at her head. Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, the children of Princess Anne, flanked William, while Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, the daughters of Prince Andrew, flanked Harry. Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, the children of Prince Edward, stood in the center of the casket.
The four children of the late British monarch—King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward—were all seen on Friday standing beside her casket.
At the King’s request, the grandkids are eager to pay their respects, just as their parents did the previous evening.
After stepping down as a senior member of the royal family in 2020, Harry, a military veteran, was previously not allowed to wear his uniform at ceremonial festivities marking Queen Elizabeth’s passing. This choice was overturned earlier this week when the Palace determined that the Duke of Sussex may dress in his formal uniform for the vigil on Saturday.
Palace authorities have told Harry that he can wear his uniform to the Vigil on Saturday at Westminster Hall. “It was a decision made without Prince Harry requesting a change.” It’s unknown if Harry will be permitted to wear his uniform during Monday’s state burial or if this is a one-time exception.
On Wednesday, William and Harry followed the casket carrying their grandmother from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Their spouses, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle joined them at Westminster for the Service for the Reception of Her Majesty’s Coffin.