King Charles III 's goddaughter India Hicks has reflected on attending Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral at Westminster Abbey and expressed how honoured she felt to stand beside close family and friends. India is the granddaughter of the Queen's cousin, Louis Mountbatten, and was a bridesmaid at the King's wedding to Princess Diana in 1981.
The 55-year-old writer posted two photos on Instagram, alongside a message about how meaningful it was to be part of the service and a few details about the experience. The writer attended with her mother, Lady Pamela Hicks, both dressed in long black frocks and hats, accessorised with brooches and pearl jewellery.
"What a privilege. To have seen the sun set over Westminster Abbey last night and to return today, beside my mother, for the State Funeral, followed by the Committal Service in St. George's Chapel, Windsor," India wrote.
"'Service in life, hope in death' said the Archbishop of Canterbury. God Bless The Queen. Long Live The King."
India can be seen wearing a striking headpiece with an oversized floral decoration and heeled black boots.
Lady Pamela, who is Prince Philip's cousin and the daughter of Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, looked straight at the camera wearing a five-string pearl necklace.
India is a mother-of-five who lives in the Bahamas with her partner, David Flint Wood, and four sons, Wesley, 24, Felix, 24, Amory, 22, Conrad, 18, and daughter Domino, 13.
Last week, the couple were in the UK to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary when Her Majesty passed away at the age of 96.
India shared a tribute to the Queen on her social media, writing: "A rare constant in a world of exceptional change, the Queen saw 15 prime ministers come and go, she outlived 5 popes and for 70 years has been the nations figure head, from swinging sixties and moon landings to the advent of computers and Instagram."
She continued to share a fond memory of the late monarch and recalled how the Queen would "always bring a box of chocolates for herself" and a box for the hostess when staying with her mum.
"During one such visit she came to my mother with a small complaint, about my mother's pet mongoose, named Neola," India continued.
"The Queen said she really didn't mind Neola coming into her room, she really didn't mind him helping himself to one of her chocolates, but she did mind when he took a small bite out of each!"
You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here.
