On Thursday, Prince
William and Princess Kate made their first official appearance
since the state funeral of the Queen as they thanked those who helped
organize the late monarch’s funeral.
The royal couple made a
special trip to Windsor Guildhall to meet volunteers and operational staff
to thank them for their involvement in the late monarch’s committal service
held on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
As per royal mourning guidelines, the
royal couple appeared in black as a show of respect for the late Queen.
Speaking to the group, William
shared a touching moment that happened following the passing of his
grandmother, while the family were still in Scotland.
He explained that he had
seen five rainbows over Balmoral after the Queen had passed away. Kate then
added: “Her Majesty was looking down on us.”
The Queen had been staying at
her Scottish residence of Balmoral on 8 September when her health deteriorated.
King Charles and Princess
Anne were at her side when she passed, with William, Prince Andrew, Prince
Edward, Sophie Wessex and Prince Harry all arriving
afterward.
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Rainbows were seen over Buckingham Palace shortly after the Queen’s death
On the day that the Queen
passed away, rainbows were seen over Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
Another rainbow formed over Westminster Hall on the day before her lying in the state came to a close.
Her Majesty’s state funeral
was held on Monday 19 September, taking place at Westminster Abbey before the
committal ceremony that took place in Windsor.
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Prince William had a strong bond with his grandmother
The late monarch was then
interred in the King George VI memorial chapel alongside her beloved husband
Prince Philip, her father, King George VI, the Queen Mother and sister Princess
Margaret.
Following her burial, the
ledger stone was updated to reflect that the Queen and Prince Philip were now
laid in rest there; the Duke of Edinburgh was previously interred in the Royal
Vault.
The full stone now reads:
“George VI 1895-1952,” followed by “Elizabeth 1900-2002.”
There is then a metal garter star before the final two names: “Elizabeth
II 1926-2022” and “Philip 1921-2021.”
Although Margaret is buried
alongside her family, her name doesn’t feature on the ledger stone as her ashes
are interred inside the wall.
