Prince Andrew seen in military uniform for first time as Queen’s children hold vigil at lying in state | UK News

Prince Andrew was first seen in military uniform as the Queen’s children gathered in Westminster Hall to stand guard in front of the Queen’s coffin.

Considered one of the most solemn ceremonies before the king’s funeral, the Vigil of the Princes sees King Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward standing guard on four sides of the catafalque, instead take turns guarding the coffin.

Funerals warn of cold temperatures overnight for being in state queues – Latest updated royal news
Watch Queen’s live stream in status

Arriving together in London’s historic building, the two brothers appeared somber and conducted the ceremony in silence, bowing their heads.

Prince Andrew has been seen in uniform for the first time in recent days, after receiving special permission to wear it.

He is no longer a working royal following the Jeffery Epstein affair, and as such, loses his automatic right to wear his uniform on ceremonial occasions.

As they slowly marched to take their places, members of the public, who had entered the building to pay their respects, paused and fell silent.

King Charles stood at one end of the Queen’s coffin, with Prince Andrew at the other, and Princess Anne and Prince Edward stationed on either side.

As soon as they rose to their feet on the catafalque, observation from the public continued, with passers-by and some stopping to bend or bow.

Other members of the Royal Family, including the Queen, husband of Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and Countess of Wessex, have been spotted standing on the balcony of the hall, watching the ceremony unfold. .

Several of the Queen’s grandchildren were also present, including Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and Zara Tindall, who, along with her husband, former rugby player Mike Tindall.

Tens of thousands of people have gathered in the capital to pay their respects to the Queen, with time waiting to see her coffin now. sitting more than 22 hours.

As King Charles left Westminster Hall in his black Rolls-Royce, the crowd broke out into a loud round of applause.

Earlier this week, the King was accompanied by Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew perform the same ceremony at St Giles’ Church, in Edinburgh.

During that ceremony, Prince Andrew was not wearing a military uniform, and the King was wearing a kilogram.

Read more:
Route from London to Windsor revealed where you can see the coffin on funeral day
Edward and Sophie say death has left an ‘unimaginable void in our lives’

While the Queen and Countess of Wessex attended the ceremony, they did not participate and instead watched from one side.

Tomorrow, all eight of the Queen’s grandchildren, including Prince Harry and William in their uniforms, will hold a vigil next to the Queen’s coffin, ahead of her state funeral on Monday.