However, there were two more
members of the royal family in attendance as Prince Edward – who
himself stood vigil alongside his siblings on Friday evening – and
his wife, the Countess of Wessex, also decided to attend.
The Wessexes were present to
support their children, who are comparatively younger than their cousins at 18
and 14, respectively.
The youngest of the Queen’s
grandchildren stood with their heads bowed alongside their cousins, the eldest
of whom, Peter Phillips, is 44.
As
they took their places around the Queen’s coffin, Sophie could be seen looking
teary as she watched from a viewing platform alongside her husband. The vigil
lasted for 10 minutes and ended with Prince William leading the royals away.
The other royal
grandchildren’s spouses were not present at the vigil, with Princess Kate and Meghan
Markle remaining at home.
Lady Louise, who had just
begun her studies at the University of St Andrews when the Queen passed away on
Thursday 8 September at the age of 96, wore a black dress and a matching
headband with a bow. Her younger brother James looked smart in a black
suit.
The Earl and Countess have
largely kept their children out of the public eye over the years, aside from
big formal events such as Trooping the Colour. Lady Louise and James also took
part in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
The Wessex children had joined
their mother in the viewing gallery on Friday as their father stood vigil over
the Queen’s coffin with King Charles, the Princess Royal and the Duke of York.
