Queen Elizabeth II: William, Harry, cousins stand vigil by grandmother’s coffin

LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II’s eight grandchildren stood vigil by their grandmother’s coffin Saturday at Westminster Hall ahead of her state funeral, slated for Monday.

The observance, traditionally known as the Vigil of the Princes, lasted 15 minutes.

Both Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex wore military dress, with the former donning the Blues and Royals No. 1 uniform, the Garter Sash, the Garter Star, the Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals and RAF pilot wings, the BBC reported.

Harry wore a Blues and Royals No. 1 Uniform, KCVO Neck Order and Star, Afghanistan Operational Service Medal, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals and Army Pilot Wings, the news outlet reported.

William and Harry, sons of King Charles III, were joined by cousins Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, and Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, all of whom wore black, according to The Guardian.

According to the BBC, Peter Phillips is the eldest grandchild at 44, while James, Viscount Severn is just 14.

The Vigil of the Princes was first observed following the 1936 death of George V, “when his four sons – King Edward VIII, Prince Albert (the future King George VI and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s father) and Princes Henry and George – stood around the four sides of their father’s coffin at Westminster Hall,” the news outlet reported.

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William, Harry, cousins stand vigil by Queen Elizabeth II's coffin LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive to hold a vigil in honour of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall on September 17, 2022 in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II's grandchildren mount a family vigil over her coffin lying in state in Westminster Hall. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Ian Vogler-WPA Pool/Getty Images) (Ian Vogler/Getty Images)