A final farewell to Gan-Gan: Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 7, made ‘surprise’ appearance at Queen’s committal service
- Prince George and Princess Charlotte had a key role at St George’s Chapel as they were in the procession
- The young royals walked behind the coffin of their ‘Gan Gan’ ahead of the committal service
- It’s thought the Prince and Princess of Wales included the young royals at the last minute
Kate Middleton allowed her children Prince George and Princess Charlotte to have a last-minute extra role in the funeral of their beloved ‘Gan Gan’ as they walked behind her coffin.
After the children attended Her late Majesty’s funeral at Westminster Abbey in London, they travelled with their mother Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, to St George’s Chapel in Windsor for a Committal Service, where the Queen was laid to rest.
Many royal fans expected Prince George, nine, and Princess Charlotte, seven, not to have a role in the Committal Service, however they were pictured walking into the Chapel behind Her Majesty’s coffin.
Prince George (right) and Princess Charlotte (centre) seen at Wellington Arch where the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was transferred into the hearse before a final trip to Windsor
The children stand between Kate Middleton and Queen Consort Camilla as the coffin of the late Queen arrives at Wellington Arch
The young royals, seven and nine, followed the procession behind the Queen’s coffin as it entered St George’s Chapel in what appeared to be an unplanned change to the order of service
The children’s inclusion in the service appears to be a last-minute decision from their parents Kate Middleton and Prince William, The Mirror reports.
It was difficult to spot the miniature royals as they walked behind the adult members of the Royal Family before the Committal Service, but the young Prince and Princess dutifully followed their great-grandmother’s coffin as it was led into the chapel.
Earlier today Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Wales stood in the front row at Westminster Abbey as they sang hymns while standing with their parents at the state funeral of Her late Majesty.
The Princess of Wales, 40, provided a reassuring presence throughout, tightly holding onto her daughter’s hand at the family arrived at Westminster Abbey – and offering a pat on the knee to her eldest son as the family were seated ahead of the service.
At one stage, Prince William offered to offer Prince George a comforting look during the service this afternoon in Windsor
The Wales family were sitting alongside the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as Peter Philips and Zara Tindall) today in St George’s Chapel
Sibling unity: The young royals were inseparable throughout the day and were barely seen away from each other’s sides. Pictured here at Wellington Arch following the funeral service at Westminster Abbey
Princess Charlotte and Prince George were sitting alongside their parents the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex this afternoon
The Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at the Committal Service for the Queen held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, Berkshire
Sibling love: The pair were seen walking side by side into Windsor Castle, the final resting place of their precious great-grandmother
Prince George and Charlotte joined their mother Kate as they left the vehicles to enter St George’s Chapel for the service this afternoon
Riding together: The children were accompanied in their car by their mother, the Princess of Wales, and Camilla, the Queen Consort
The children could be seen looking out the window as they were driven from London to Windsor this afternoon between the two services
Princess Charlotte wore a black mourning coat with velour collar and matching wide-brimmed hat, while George was dressed in a navy blue suit with a black tie.
On Charlotte’s coat was a sweet tribute to her Gan-Gan, as she wore a horseshoe brooch that had been given to her by the late Queen.
Prince George appeared to become emotional as he was pictured wiping his eyes outside Westminster Abbey, while his younger sister put on a brave face.
Princess Charlotte was often seen holding her mother’s hand, with Princess George watching on at his beloved ‘Gan-Gan’s’ funeral
Charlotte of Wales – her new title – stands next to Prince George of Wales at Wellington Arch after the State Funeral of the Queen – their beloved great-grandmother
The foursome travelled in the car at several points throughout the long day, which began at 11am with the Queen’s funeral service in Westminster Abbey
The foursome travelled in the car at several points throughout the long day, which began at 11am with the Queen’s funeral service in Westminster Abbey
A day in history: Prince George, nine, left, and Princess Charlotte, seven, are pictured travelling by car with the Queen Consort, who waved to crowds, and their mother, the Princess of Wales, to the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey today
The brother and sister look out across London’s historic streets, with the Queen Consort seated behind them, as thousands of mourners line the streets
The Queen’s great grandchildren, clearly aware of the enormity of the day, stand quietly by their mother’s side before as they await the arrival of their father. To their right, the Duchess of Sussex stands next to them
The Princess of Wales is seen walking hand-in-hand with her daughter as the family arrived at Westminster Abbey’s hallowed doors ahead of the 11am service
Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte are shepherded to their seats by their mother the Princess of Wales
Arrival: The new Princess of Wales and her daughter exit the royal car at Westminster Abbey; the senior royal gently guides the seven-year-old in the right direction
A smile for ‘Gan-Gan’: Princess Charlotte shyly smiles as she stands with her brother and senior royals at Westminster Abbey (Pictured from left: Meghan Markle, Sophie Wessex, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Kate Middleton)
A guiding hand, the young royals pictured arriving at Westminster Abbey ahead of the funeral
Princess Charlotte stares out of the window from the royal car that carried herself and her older brother to Westminster Abbey
Prince George, seated beside the Prince of Wales holds onto his order of service during the funeral for his great grandmother
Prince George, seated beside the Prince of Wales holds onto his order of service during the funeral for his great grandmother
Three generations: Prince George walks next to his father, as Prince Harry and Prince Edward walk ahead and behind
Responsibility: Heads bowed, Prince Charlotte and Prince George walk inbetween the Prince and Princess of Wales as they follow the Queen’s coffin into the church
Sombre: George and Charlotte sing hymns during the funeral service, each seated beside their mother, the Princess of Wales
A family in grief: From left: The Duchess of Sussex, Queen Consort, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex stand outside Westminster Abbey after the state funeral
Princess Charlotte is seen adjusting her hat; the youngster wore a horseshoe brooch on her mourning coat, which was a gift from her great-grandmother the Queen. Right: Princess Charlotte is seen adjusting her hat; the youngster wore a horseshoe brooch on her mourning coat, which was a gift from her great-grandmother the Queen
Pictured from above: The Princess of Wales is seen guiding her two children into the Abbey; while Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte wore traditional black mourning dress, Prince George opted for a navy blue suit with a black tie
Prince George and Princess Charlotte were the youngest members of the royal family to accompany the coffin down through the Abbey, (The Prince and Princess of Wales pictured four rows from the back of the central aisle)
The Queen’s great grandchildren sat in front of their mother, the Princess of Wales and the Queen Consort as they made their way to Westminster Abbey in the claret royal car
Prince George casts a glance at the crowds who’ve turned out to mourn his great grandmother
The young heir to the throne en route to a final farewell to his beloved ‘Gan-Gan’, with his mother and the Queen Consort seated behind him
The Princess of Wales cut a pensive figure as she joined her mother-in-law and two of her three children for the short journey – while the King and Prince of Wales marched behind the Queen’s coffin
Solemnity: The family sat in hushed silence as the car drove past crowds of mourners gathered on London’s streets
The family pictured walking into the Abbey, bypassing royal guards in traditional uniform, ahead of the state funeral
A supportive hand: Kate Middleton touches her daughter’s shoulder as the family make their way to their seats
A supportive hand: Kate Middleton touches her daughter’s shoulder as the family make their way to their seats
Kate Middleton speaks to a member of the clergy welcoming the royal family to the Abbey, while holding Princess Charlotte’s hand
With her mother close by, Princess Charlotte walked into the Abbey today; the princess wore a mourning coat with velour collar and a matching wide-brimmed hat
Prince George is introduced to the clergy leading the Queen’s state funeral service; it’s thought officials at Buckingham Palace made the decision that the nine-year-old should attend his late great-grandmother’s funeral
The silouhette of the Princess of Wales and her eldest son walking across the stone floor of Westminster Abbey
Once inside, George strode slightly ahead of the Princess of Wales as the family joined Prince William in their pews
Earlier, the two children – younger brother Prince Louis, four, was not in attendance today – were seen with their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales ahead of the Westminster Abbey service
Father and daughter appeared to chat during the short journey by car to the start of the funeral procession
The car carrying the Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Wales pictured on Monday morning
The Daily Mail understands that the Prince and Princess of Wales thought ‘long and hard’ about whether their two eldest children, aged nine and seven, should join them.
But after George and Charlotte attended their great-grandfather’s memorial in March, William and Kate decided they could cope with the solemnity of the occasion.
‘As parents they have, of course, thought long and hard about whether their children should accompany them,’ a source said. ‘Of course little Louis is too young, but they think George and Charlotte are up to it.’
Aged just nine, and having just overcome the daunting prospect of starting a new school, George is now the second in line to the throne.
With this in mind, aides have suggested it would be good for the public to see the young Prince – who affectionately called the Queen ‘Gan Gan’ – and is the future of the Monarchy.
It was the first time any of the Wales children have been seen in public since the Queen’s death on September 8th.
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