Princes William, Harry greet sea of mourners at Windsor Castle
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, have joined Prince William and his wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, at Windsor Castle to view the sea of floral tributes left by the public in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, the princes’ grandmother.
The two princes and their wives took time to study the bouquets before waving to crowds of well-wishers who pressed against road barriers outside the gates of Windsor Castle on Saturday.
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The princes and their wives were seen shaking hands and speaking with members of the public.
It was the two couples’ first public appearance since the queen died on Thursday.
The Prince of Wales issued his first public statement since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, reading in part, “On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign.”
The Queen’s son, King Charles III, was officially proclaimed Britain’s monarch Saturday in a pomp-filled ceremony steeped in ancient tradition and political symbolism — and, for the first time, broadcast live on television and online.
“I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me,” he said as he took on the duties of monarch.
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Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state starting Wednesday for four days at the House of Parliament, palace officials said, after her body is brought from Balmoral, first to Edinburgh and then to London.
The state funeral will take place on Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey.
Members of the Royal Family stopped to take in a sea of floral tributes left by the public outside the gates of Balmoral Castle in Scotland after attending a prayer service nearby on Saturday.
Queen Elizabeth II’s three youngest children — Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — as well as their families, greeted a crowd of people who gathered Saturday to line the route outside the castle.
