When world leaders come to London to say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace announced in September Her Majesty’s great-grandsons Prince George and Princess Charlotte will also attend her funeral, following the Prince and Princess of Wales as they ascend the nave of Westminster Abbey. The children will also join the royal family at St George’s Chapel in Windsor this afternoon during a private delivery ceremony – although it remains to be decided whether they will take part in the latter procession.
Given that the prince and princess are 9 and 7 years old respectively, they are divided on whether they will attend the funeral. Prince Louis, whose classic four-year-old antics delighted the nation during Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend, will stay at home all day.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte followed their parents to the nave of Westminster Abbey.
Photo: Getty Images
The Queen is close to George and Charlotte, who they call her “Gangan.” Her Majesty in 2013 of Nodding to their births in the Christmas speech and 63284812, respectively. “Life will never be the same again for new parents!” she announced after George’s arrival, and she happily celebrated Charlotte joining the family a few years later. “One of the joys of living a long life is watching your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren help decorate the Christmas tree. This year I have a new member in my family to join in the fun.”
Various senior advisers are reportedly particularly keen to have George attend the funeral, as he is now second in line to the throne. The Princess of Wales previously revealed that George was the only one of her children who really knew about the passing of her great-grandmother and that he was just beginning to realise her importance in British society. Meanwhile, Louis offered a sweet thought, which Kate shared with Sandringham mourners: “At least grandma is with great-grandfather now.”
