With a solemn procession, the closest family brings the coffin of Elizabeth II to the British Parliament in London. Photos from Westminster Hall show Queen’s grandson Harry and his wife Meghan giving each other comfort by hand. The other royals, on the other hand, keep their distance from each other. That’s for a reason.
The royal family, guardsmen and countless observers accompanied the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II on its way through London this afternoon. When the train reached Westminster Hall after almost 40 minutes, soldiers carried the decorated coffin on their shoulders into the building, where it was laid out on a pedestal. After a short service, members of the royal family and their partners left Westminster Hall.
But only one couple comforted each other with touches and held hands: Queen’s grandson Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan. On the other hand, neither King Charles III touched. and wife Queen Camilla nor his son Prince William and Princess Kate or his brother Prince Edward and Countess Sophie.
This is mainly due to the protocol: holding hands is not intended for active members of the royal family. Even Queen Elizabeth II did not hold the hand of her husband Prince Philip in public. However, Harry and Meghan have given up their royal duties and are officially civilians. There were also visual differences: Prince William wore a military uniform as a working royal, while Harry wore a mourning suit. Despite his service in Afghanistan, the Queen’s grandson had to resign his military titles when he left the royal family.
Queen Elizabeth II died last Thursday at the age of 96 at her Scottish country estate, Balmoral Castle. The state funeral for the monarch is next Monday. Hundreds of heads of state and government, members of royal families and other dignitaries are expected in London.
