Prince William has told a mourner how walking behind the Queen's coffin brought back memories of his mother's funeral.
The Prince of Wales walked alongside his brother, Harry, and other members of the royal family behind the coffin yesterday in a solemn procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster.
The brothers walked behind Princess Diana’s coffin aged just 15 and 12 after her death in 1997, which Prince William has described as a “very long, lonely walk”.
According to the Mirror, the heir to the throne said Wednesday’s procession reminded him of that tragic day.
Jane Wells, who had come to lay flowers at Sandringham House, told the publication: “He told us yesterday had been particularly difficult and following the coffin had reminded him of his mother’s funeral, of Diana.
“He said it had been very difficult.”
Another crowd member also allegedly told the prince she was close to tears, to which he replied: “Don’t cry now - you’ll start me.”
In a BBC documentary, the Prince of Wales has previously spoken about how he used his then long fringe to hide his emotions.
He said: “I just remember hiding behind my fringe basically, at a time when I had a lot of hair, and my head's down a lot — so I'm hiding behind my fringe."
“It was kind of like a tiny bit of a safety blanket if you like. I know it sounds ridiculous, but at the time I felt if I looked at the floor and my hair came down over my face, no one could see me.”
Other members of the royal family involved in the procession were the King and the Queen’s children, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward.
Queen Consort Camilla, Princess of Wales Kate, Meghan, Prince Harry’s wife, and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, also followed behind in a car.
Another procession will be led by the King when the Queen’s coffin is moved at 10.44am on Monday, from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey for the funeral.
He will walk behind the coffin with the Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex.
Behind them will be the Queen's grandsons Peter Phillips, Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales.
