The day little Charlotte and George did Gan Gan proud
THEY were the youngest mourners. Prince George and Princess Charlotte played a key and poignant role at the Queen’s funeral yesterday.
The royals, aged just nine and seven, joined other members of the Royal Family and world leaders at Westminster Abbey to say goodbye to their beloved ‘Gan Gan’.
George, now second in line to the throne, was smart in a dark blue suit and black tie, while Charlotte, third in line, looked older than her years in a boater hat with bow and black pleated coat which echoed that of her mother’s, The Princess of Wales.
Both young royals appeared, understandably, pensive, with George seen biting his lip while Charlotte nervously played with her hair.
But the Prince and Princess of Wales had decided their two eldest children were resilient enough to cope with the emotional day and Kate was on hand throughout the ceremony with reassuring words and a gentle hand.
The young prince and princess looked solemn as they travelled to Westminster Abbey in a car with their mother and the Queen Consort. Once inside, Charlotte
‘Praised for their maturity during the ceremony’
clutched her mother’s hand as they waited by the Abbey’s doors, watching quietly as the Queen’s coffin was borne in.
The trio then joined the Prince of Wales to form a row of four to follow the coffin to the front of the Abbey.
As the young royals walked behind their great-grandmother’s coffin, Charlotte held her hands clasped in front of her while George had his arms by his side.
They were seated next to their parents on the front row for the service. They could be seen following along with the hymns from the order of service with Charlotte whispering to her mother at one point. Kate also placed a reassuring hand on George’s knee.
At the end of the service, both children looked down at times as they filed slowly out of the Abbey. Viewers at home praised the young prince and princess for their maturity and poise during the hourlong ceremony.
Outside the Abbey, Charlotte was spotted giving her older brother strict instructions to bow when the Queen’s coffin went past. It seems the prince took notice because he looked sheepish and quickly lowered his head.
During the service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, Charlotte shared a touching moment with her uncle, Prince Harry. She was seen adjusting her hat before looking over at her uncle, who caught her eye and smiled at the princess.
It is the first time the children have been seen in public since the Queen’s death last Thursday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to have thought ‘long and hard’ about whether their two eldest children 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 solemn occasion. Their youngest Louis, four, stayed at home.