The Queen’s eight grandchildren, including the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, have stood vigil around her coffin as she lies in state at Westminster Hall.
At King Charles’ request, Prince Harry wore military uniform, for the first time since 2020.
Prince Harry has worn civilian clothes at public events since the Queen died.
It is the first time in history that the grandchildren of a monarch have taken part in the ceremony.
The King’s sons William and Harry were joined by Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, the children of Princess Anne, as well as Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, who are Prince Edward’s children.
At 44, Peter Philips is the oldest of the Queen’s grandchildren, while the youngest, James, Viscount Severn, is 14.
In silence and with their heads bowed, the eight cousins stood at different points around the coffin as crowds continue to file past.
Prince William stood at the head of the Queen’s coffin with his brother at the opposite end. The Earl and Countess of Wessex were also in attendance.
The grandchildren’s vigil started at 18:01 BST and lasted for just under 15 minutes.
On Friday evening, the Queen’s children, including the King, took part in a similar vigil, standing guard for about 10 minutes.
Our matriarch, our guide
Ahead of the vigil, Beatrice and Eugenie paid tribute to their “dear Grannie”, saying: “It has been the honour of our lives to have been your granddaughters and we’re so very proud of you.”
In a joint statement, Prince Andrew’s daughters said the Queen was “our matriarch, our guide, our loving hand on our backs leading us through this world” and that they already miss her “terribly”.
They went on: “Thank you for making us laugh, for including us, for picking heather and raspberries, for marching soldiers, for our teas, for comfort, for joy.
“You, being you, will never know the impact you have had on our family and so many people around the world.
“The world mourns you and the tributes would really make you smile. They are all too true of the remarkable leader you are.”
The pair told the Queen they were “so happy you’re back with Grandpa” and added that “our dear Uncle Charles, the King, will continue to lead in your example as he too has dedicated his life to service”.
The vigil on Saturday is the first time Prince Harry has been seen in military uniform since stepping back as a working royal in 2020.
He served two tours in Afghanistan as part of the Army. He now lives in California with his wife Meghan and their two children.
Prince Andrew was also allowed to wear his military uniform as he stood guard on Friday. The 62-year-old stepped down as a working royal in 2019, after a Newsnight interview about his relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The prince was later stripped of his military titles.
Earlier on Saturday, Prince William and his father King Charles went to Lambeth, south London to shake hands and greet people queuing to view the Queen lying in state.
The Queen will lie in state at Westminster Hall until her funeral on Monday. The queue to see the coffin stretches as far as Southwark Park. Officials have said if the park reaches capacity, entry will be paused.
The funeral is set to be one of the biggest diplomatic events of recent years, with some 500 heads of state and other dignitaries expected to attend.
Source: BBC
