Prince Edwardgot emotional while honoringQueen Elizabeth.
On Monday, the late monarch’s youngest child teared up while attending the Queen’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey.
The Earl of Wessex was seated in the front row beside his siblings,King Charles III,Princess Anne, andPrince Andrew, as well as his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
At one point during the ceremony, Sophie, 57, handed a handkerchief to her husband, 58, who was visibly emotional.
The queen’s daughter-in-law was also seen comfortingPrince WilliamandKate Middleton’s eldest child, sonPrince George of Wales, at another moment during the service. The young prince’s great auntplaced her arm around his shoulderas the family departed the hour-long funeral service.
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
From left: Sophie, Countess of Wessex with Prince George of Wales, plus Princess Charlotte of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales.Gareth Cattermole/Getty
A state funeral for the history-making monarch commenced at 11 a.m. local time in London’sWestminster Abbey. The Queen’s time lying in state came to a close earlier in the morning, with the very last members of the public ushered into Westminster Hall around 6:30 a.m.
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The new monarch was solemn as heled the processionto the state funeral, walking behind the Queen’s coffin with his siblings. After the ceremony, the family members took part in another procession ahead of the late monarch’s committal service.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, King Charles III, Peter Phillips, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex after Queen Elizabeth’s funeral service.Christopher Furlong/Getty
Prince Edward and Sophie mourned the loss of their “beloved mama” in a touchingstatementreleased on Friday.
“As a family, we have grown up learning to share our parents, especially our beloved mama, with the Nation, her Realms and the Commonwealth,” they said. “While it has been lovely to have spent time saying our own farewell privately at Balmoral, it is now time to allow others to be able to say their farewell.”
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Prince Edward and Sophie went on to share that they have enjoyed seeing their children, 18-year-old Louise and 14-year-old James, follow in the footsteps of the Queen andher husbandPrince Philip’s footsteps.
“The Queen’s passing has left an unimaginable void in all our lives. Sophie and I have taken huge pleasure in seeing our James and Louise enjoying the places and activities that their grandparents loved so much,” the couple shared. “Given that my mama let us spend so much time with her, I think she also rather enjoyed watching those passions blossom. Those times together, those happy memories, have now become massively precious to each and every one of us.”
In conclusion, they wrote: “May God bless Her Majesty and may her memory be long cherished even as the baton she has carried for these past 70 years now passes to the next generation and to my brother, Charles.”
While paying their respects last week, Prince Edward and Sophie viewed tributes to the late Queen at Windsor on Friday. They also traveled to Manchester on Thursday to greet well wishers who had gathered in St Ann’s Square, according toThe Guardian.
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Additionally, they visited Manchester’s Central Library, where they viewed the civic book of condolence, and lit candles at Manchester Cathedral in honor of the Queen, according to theBBC.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth.Christopher Furlong/Getty
About 2,000 people from around the globe were expected to pay respects to the late monarch, who “peacefully” died at age 96 on September 8 at Balmoral Castle, at Monday’s state funeral.
source: people.com
