The royal kids, aged nine and seven, joined their parents at Westminster Abbey to say goodbye to the Queen—and Princess Charlotte wore a very special piece of jewelry to honour her great-grandmother.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte joined their parents today to say goodbye to their great-grandmother. The nine-year-old and his seven-year-old sister took part in part of the procession, standing behind Prince William and Kate as they walked into Westminster Abbey behind the Queen’s coffin.
The royal kids arrived in a car with their mom and the Queen Consort. Prince George, who is now second in line to the throne, wore a navy suit, while Princess Charlotte, now third in line, wore a black coat with matching hat, tights and Mary Janes. It’s the first time Princess Charlotte has worn a hat, and also the first time she’s worn a piece of significant jewelry. While her mom wore the Queen’s pearl choker and earrings, her daughter wore the sweetest little horseshoe pin, a gift from her great-grandmother that pays tribute to the former monarch’s love of horses.
There has been a lot of talk about whether it’s appropriate for little kids to attend funerals, especially one with so much media attention. Though the situations are quite different, it brings to mind the traumatizing walk Prince William, then 15, and Prince Harry, then 12, took behind their mother’s coffin after Princess Diana’s tragic death.
According to The Mirror, the Prince of Wales recently told mourners at Sandringham that walking with his brother in the procession last week brought back some painful memories. “He told us yesterday had been particularly difficult and following the coffin had reminded him of his mother’s funeral, of Diana.”
After the funeral on Monday morning, Prince George and Princess Charlotte will return home. They will not be attending the service later today at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, where they were seen a few years back as part of the wedding party at uncle Prince Harry and aunt Meghan Markle’s wedding.
Four-year-old Prince Louis skipped the days events, probably because he was considered too young. Still, his mom Kate shared with a group of mourners outside Windsor Castle last week that her baby has been the sweetest source of comfort. The Princess of Whales said Louis reassured her that “At least Grannie is with Great-Grandpa now,” referring to the Queen’s husband of 73 years, Prince Philip.
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The kids attended Prince Philip’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey last year and have been stepping out for more events lately, like the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and Christmas services.
George, Charlotte and Louis had their very first day at their new school, Lambrook, on Sept. 8—the same day that their great-grandmother died at the age of 96. According to Hello!, Kate told well wishers at Sandringham on Sept. 15 that “the children are doing well and they are being looked after at school.” She added that the kids are settling in well at their new school and William and Kate are trying to keep things as normal as possible for their kids, who are settling in well at their new school—and that includes school pickup. “I joked I had to be quick because I had to do the school run and she said she was heading back to London to do it as well.”