Prince George and Princess Charlotte to Join Abbey Procession Behind Queen Elizabeth's Coffin

Prince George and Princess Charlotte will walk behind the Queen’s coffin as it is taken through Westminster Abbey during her funeral, the Palace has shared this evening. The Order of Service for the 11 a.m. service has now been revealed and it shows that nine-year-old George will walk behind his father and seven-year-old Charlotte behind her mother inside the Abbey. George will be in front of Prince Harry and Charlotte in front of Meghan.

It is understood that William and Kate took time to consider whether to have their children join the procession. Both George and Charlotte attended the memorial service for Prince Philip in March, but not his funeral the year before which took place during the COVID pandemic. The royal children were seen publicly several times during the Platinum Jubilee, but an occasion of this kind is obviously very different.

Buckingham Palace said the State Funeral, which begins at 11 a.m., will “pay tribute to The Queen’s remarkable reign and lifetime of service as Head of State, Nation and Commonwealth.” It will be led by the Dean of Westminster with the Sermon given by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Hymns will include “The Lord’s My Shepherd” which was sung at the Queen’s wedding to Prince Philip in 1947 when she was Princess Elizabeth.

Before the service the Westminster Abbey bell will be tolled 96 times—once for each year of the Queen’s life. The hour-long service will conclude with the Sovereign’s Piper playing Lament “Sleep, dearie, sleep.”

Some 2,000 people will be in the Abbey for the event as the Metropolitan Police mounts its biggest ever security operation. Almost every country in the world has sent a representative and the Queen’s public life in the UK will be reflected as recipients of the Victoria and George Cross honors will be in the Abbey alongside representatives from the Queen’s patronages, her loyal staff and extended family. After the service she will be taken to Windsor for a Committal service at St George’s Chapel at 4 p.m. followed by a private burial later that evening.

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