Meghan Markle appeared to wipe away a tear today as she watched the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II leave Westminster Abbey after a stunning funeral attended by the world’s elite.
During the poignant moment, the Duchess of Sussex wiped her cheek as she stood with Camilla, the Queen Consort, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, and her children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Meghan, age 41, entered the abbey in solemn procession behind the Queen’s coffin. In front of her were William and Kate, the two oldest Cambridge children, together with Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, Sophie.
Before the ceremony, the duchess stood momentarily with Kate, George, and Charlotte as she saw the placement of Elizabeth II’s coffin on the altar.
She and Harry then sat alongside Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, in the second row.
Charles and Camilla were seated in the first row beside the Princess Royal and her husband, Timothy Laurence; Prince Andrew; Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex; the Prince and Princess of Wales with George and Charlotte; Peter Phillips; and Zara and Mike Tindall.
The Sussexes, who are 38 years old and reside in California, have stayed in the United Kingdom since the Queen’s passing on September 8. They were in the nation for the WellChild awards when the announcement was made.
It is reported that Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 15 months, stayed in California with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.
Before the ceremony, the Duke of Sussex set aside his feud with his brother, Prince William, in order to walk with him behind the coffin of the Queen.
Harry wore a civilian suit instead of a uniform since he was no longer a senior royal.
Today, the UK’s most prestigious church, which was filled with 2,000 VIPs, including prime ministers, presidents, and the Royal Family, was calm but for the sound of songs and prayers during a burial ceremony that Her Majesty had personally arranged before her death.
The Queen made her last and most sorrowful trip from Westminster Hall to the cathedral where she was married and crowned, as Britain mourned its longest-reigning monarch and the royal family said farewell to a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Her coffin was placed near the altar, adorned with her crown, orb, and sceptre, and surrounded by flowers selected by the king from gardens she adored.A simple letter placed amid the flowers on top of the casket reads: “In loving and devoted memory. Charles R.”
As he gave the sermon at the Queen’s royal burial, the Archbishop of Canterbury praised her “rich life and loving service,” adding, “She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.”
State trumpeters from the Household Cavalry played the Last Post after the Archbishop of Canterbury’s praise and the Dean of Westminster’s blessing over the Queen’s coffin. Two minutes of silence were observed around the nation before the trumpeters played Reveille and the crowd sang the national anthem.
During some portions of the ceremony, King Charles III seemed emotional, while his sister Princess Anne regarded him with worry before turning her attention to her mother’s coffin and crown. As the family followed the Queen’s coffin across Parliament Square, Prince Andrew fought back tears and seemed saddened.
After leading the monarchy and the country in grieving his mother, the Queen, for more than a week, King Charles III sat at the head of the family next to Princess Anne, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex behind him in the second row.
Prince William, who marched with his brother behind the coffin, sat in the front row next to Prince George, who read the order of service during the Archbishop of Canterbury’s sermon before singing hymns. Princess Charlotte could be seen whispering to her mother, who along with William decided to bring the children to say goodbye to their great-grandmother.
During the singing of the national anthem at Westminster Abbey, the King seemed to be overcome with emotion.
During the song, Charles kept mute as his siblings and other members of the royal family sang along.
Charles, gripping his ceremonial sword, walked straight forward with a glum expression while a piper played Sleep, Dearie, Sleep.
The most significant church in the United Kingdom, which was filled with 2,000 VIPs, including prime ministers, presidents, and the Queen’s family, was quiet save for the sound of songs and prayers during a burial ceremony that Her Majesty had planned herself before her death.
The Queen was brought in her oak coffin to the gun carriage used by her parents and was accompanied around Parliament Square by her son, the King, and her family, including the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex, on a momentous event for Britain and the globe. The Duke of York, Andrew, looked to be sobbing.
Outside the Abbey in central London, an estimated 2 million people are lining the procession routes and watching on large screens.