Prince Harry to stand vigil at Queen’s coffin in military uniformon September 17, 2022 at 9:13 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Mourners are warned of 16-hour queues to see the lying-in-state, as world leaders arrive in the UK.

King Charles III and his siblings stand vigil in Westminster HallImage source, PA Media

The Queen’s grandchildren, including the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, will stand vigil around her coffin this evening as she lies in state in Westminster Hall.

At King Charles’ request, Prince Harry will wear military uniform, for the first time since 2020.

Prince Harry has worn civilian clothes at public events since the Queen died.

On Friday evening, the Queen’s children, including the King, stood guard for around 10 minutes.

As they left the hall, members of the public applauded them.

The grandchildren’s vigil is expected to last around 15 minutes.

The King’s two sons will be joined by Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor, and James, Viscount Severn.

Prince Harry has not 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 Harry, Duke of Sussex walks behind Queen Elizabeth II's coffin as it is transported on a gun carriage from Buckingham Palace to The Palace of Westminster ahead of her Lying-in-State on September 14, 2022 in London, United Kingdom.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Before the vigil, the Queen’s youngest child, Prince Edward, thanked the public for their support.

“We have been overwhelmed by the tide of emotion that has engulfed us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect to such a very special and unique person who was always there for us,” he said.

“And now, we are there for her, united in grief.”

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, with a 16-hour wait time as of Saturday morning.

Officials have said if the park reaches capacity, entry will be paused.

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Foreign dignitaries are travelling to London ahead of Monday’s funeral, which will be one of the biggest diplomatic events of recent years, with some 500 heads of state and other dignitaries expected to attend.

A senior Metropolitan Police officer described the Queen’s funeral as “the largest single policing event [the force] has ever undertaken”.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said the “hugely complex” operation surpasses the London 2012 Olympics – which saw up to 10,000 police officers on duty each day.

The Civil Service echoed those comments, adding that the funeral is set to be the largest event the UK has hosted “in decades, possibly ever”.

HM Queen Elizabeth II 640x55
HM Queen Elizabeth II black line
- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Covid inquiry: Van-Tam family received ‘unexpected’ death threatson November 22, 2023 at 6:21 pm

Former medical adviser tells the UK Covid inquiry he considered stepping down over safety fears.Image source, UK Covid-19 InquiryBy Jim Reed and Aurelia FosterHealth...

Self-scan supermarket tills and the rows over their useon May 21, 2022 at 12:15 am

Do you relish scanning your own groceries or are you missing the human cashiers?

Queen’s Birthday Honours: Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Bale, Eve Muirhead and Moeen Ali honouredon June 1, 2022 at 9:32 pm

Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead is named on the Queen's Birthday Honours list, alongside cricketer Moeen Ali, footballer Gareth Bale and ex-footballer Rio Ferdinand.

US Congress to punish lawmaker over violent clipon November 17, 2021 at 2:46 am

Republican Paul Gosar tweeted a video depicting sword attacks on Joe Biden and a congresswoman.Image source, Getty ImagesThe US House of Representatives is poised...

Firms opt for smaller Christmas parties over Omicron fearson December 2, 2021 at 12:56 am

Companies are deciding against holding a big bash in favour of allowing small, optional gatherings.Image source, Getty ImagesA number of big businesses are holding...