The Princess of Wales placed a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder as members of the Royal Family entered Westminster Hall for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II this morning. The touching moment between Kate and Princess Charlotte, seven, was captured in photographs as the nation prepared to say their final farewell to its longest-serving monarch.
The loving mother's touch came as Kate and Charlotte got out of a car. Ahead of the service, the Princess of Wales could be seen holding Charlotte’s hand, and giving her a reassuring touch on the shoulder as the seven-year-old flipped her hair, the Mirror reports.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte walked in between their parents behind the Queen’s coffin as part of a solemn procession through Westminster Abbey. Ahead of the service, the Princess of Wales was also seen holding Charlotte’s hand
As the young royals walked behind their great grandmother’s coffin, Charlotte held her hands clasped in front of her while George had his arms by his side. Princess Charlotte could be seen looking around from under the brim of her hat while the mourners sang The Lord’s My Shepherd.
In his sermon at the state funeral of the Queen, the Archbishop of Canterbury has told mourners the “grief” felt around the world over her death “arises from her abundant life and loving service”, adding: “She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.”
The Most Rev Justin Welby said: “People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer. But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are forgotten. The grief of this day – felt not only by the late Queen’s family but all round the nation, Commonwealth and world – arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone from us.”
He added: “We will all face the merciful judgement of God: we can all share the Queen’s hope which in life and death inspired her servant leadership. Service in life, hope in death. All who follow the Queen’s example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: ‘We will meet again.’”
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