The Princess of Wales has revealed how her sons are coping with the death of their great-grandmother the Queen.
Speaking to Australia’s Governor-General at a reception for Commonwealth dignitaries ahead of today’s Queen’s funeral, Kate explained that four-year-old Louis asks questions and struggles to understand.
Recalling his conversation with Kate, David Hurley said she revealed that their eldest son Prince George, nine, “kind of realizes now how important his great-grandmother was and what’s going on”.
But four-year-old Louis has asked if the family’s summer visit to Balmoral Castle will still be as he remembers them.
“The younger one is now asking questions like, ‘Do you think we can still play those games if we go to Balmoral’ and things like that because she won’t be there?” Mr Hurley said.
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Kate spoke to David Hurley at Buckingham Palace on Saturday about how their three children Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4, are coping with the sudden loss of their great-grandmother
But four-year-old Louis has asked if the family’s summer visit to Balmoral Castle will still be as he remembers them
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Louis during Trooping the Color on June 2, 2022 in London, England
“The younger one is now asking questions like, ‘Do you think we can still play those games if we go to Balmoral and things like that because she won’t be there?'” Mr Hurley said
Prince George and Princess Charlotte will make a surprise appearance at their great-grandmother’s funeral today, walking behind her coffin into Westminster Abbey.
The Chron understands the Prince and Princess of Wales have thought “long and hard” about joining their two eldest children, aged nine and seven.
But after George and Charlotte attended their great-grandfather’s memorial service in March, William and Kate decided they could handle the solemnity of the occasion. Louis, the youngest of the couple, is only four years old and will not be there.
“Obviously, as parents, they have 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.”
It is understood the children will also be in congregation for the committal service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor this afternoon. It should be decided whether they feel ready to take part in the procession there as well.
George and Charlotte will drive to the Abbey in the car with Kate and Camilla before joining the procession on foot as they enter.
6.02am: The final members of the public pay their respects at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall today
5.17am: The final members of the public pay their respects at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall today
5.16am: The final members of the public will pay their respects at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall today
4:51 a.m.: The final members of the public pay their respects at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall today
Before today’s state funeral service at 11 a.m., a bell will toll 96 times, reflecting the years of Queen Elizabeth’s life. The service, Buckingham Palace said last night, will pay tribute to the Queen’s distinguished reign and lifelong service as Head of State, Nation and Commonwealth.
It is administered by The Very Reverend Dr. David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster, conducted with hymns such as The Lord’s My Shepherd and Love Divine. Lessons include 1 Corinthians 15 20-26, 53-end and John 14 1-9a, all aspects personally selected by the Queen.
A specially commissioned choral piece, Like As The Hart, composed by Judith Weir, the Mistress of King’s Music, will be sung by the Westminster Abbey Choir. The choir will also sing a short hymn, O Taste And See, composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams for the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
The Queen’s grandchildren, including Prince William and Prince Harry, attended a vigil at Westminster Abbey on Saturday night, as seen in the picture
The Archbishop of Canterbury will give a reading while Prime Minister Liz Truss will read the second lesson, with prayers from leading clergy including the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of York.
Tears are sure to flow at The Last Post and Reveille, as well as the first major public performance of the national anthem.
A performance of “Sleep, Dearie, Sleep” performed by the Queen’s bagpiper will be of great importance to her family.
After the service, the bells of Westminster Abbey are rung completely muted, as is the tradition after the sovereign’s funeral. The coffin will then continue on its final journey through London and out to Windsor. The dedication service at St George’s Chapel at 4pm will be smaller and much more personal.
And in the absence of cameras, the royal family will gather at 7:30 p.m. for a private funeral.