The King, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex stood guard around the Queen’s coffin for a vigil at Westminster Hall on Friday evening.
Similarly to the vigil held in Edinburgh four days ago, the Queen’s children took their places around the four sides of the coffin in silence as members of the public filed past to pay their final respects.
King Charles III, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and Earl of Wessex looked to the ground and stood with eyes closed throughout.
All four were dressed in uniform on Friday, with an exception made for Prince Andrew, who is no longer a working royal, to wear his military uniform as a “special mark of respect” for the Queen.
The late monarch has been lying in state in London since Wednesday and thousands of mourners have filed past to pay their final respects after queuing for hours.
Ahead of the vigil, the Earl of Wessex paid tribute to his “beloved mama”, adding that the Royal Family has been “overwhelmed by the tide of emotion” following the Queen’s death.
On Saturday, the Queen’s grandchildren will participate in a vigil at her coffin, and the Duke of Sussex will join his brother the Prince of Wales in wearing uniform.
It is understood that the decision to allow Harry, who is no longer a working royal, to wear his military uniform during the vigil was made by his father.
Despite being a former army officer, he has been in civilian dress for official events, including walking behind his grandmother’s coffin on Wednesday when it was carried to Westminster Hall for lying in state.
The royal source said William will stand at the head while Harry will stand at the foot.
At the King’s request, they will both be in uniform. The other grandchildren will be in morning coat and dark formal dress with decorations.
The source said the grandchildren, at the King’s invitation, were very keen to pay their respects – just as their parents had done on Friday evening.
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