It was a particularly strong and intense moment that took place at Westminster Hall on the evening of September 17, 2022, as part of the ceremonies in tribute to the Queen. The eight grandchildren of Elizabeth II gathered for the vigil of the deceased sovereign on September 8th. King Charles III was not present, leaving the honors to his two sons, William and Harry, both sporting their military clothes, a subject of great discussion for the youngest of the king who no longer occupies a royal function since his departure for the United States. Far from the crowds, surprised or not, this was a particularly solemn ceremony.
Prince William and Prince Harry, without their respective wives Kate and Meghan, went to Westminster Hall in the early evening with their six cousins to stand guard around the Queen’s coffin. Following an impeccable choreography, they went around the coffin of Elizabeth II, the sons of Charles and the late Lady Diana proceeded to a millimeter military march with which begins with the sound of saber cuts from a guard.
Present were the king’s sons, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, the children of Princess Anne; Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, daughters of Prince Andrew as well as Lady Louise Windsor and, the youngest, James, Viscount Severn, the two children of the Earl and Countess of Wessex. The crowd was able to continue to pay homage to the queen while the grandchildren of Elizabeth II stood motionless, each with their heads bowed. More dignified than ever, they made no mistakes, very focused on their mission for a quarter of an hour. A symbol of unity far from the family tensions that there may be, especially between the two brothers Harry and William.
The queen’s heirs then gradually moved away from the catafalque to return to their cars. The national funeral will then take place on Monday, September 19 in the presence of great world dignitaries like Joe Biden.