[IMAGES] Princes William and Harry reunite around Elizabeth II’s coffin

London | Often described as enemy brothers, Princes William and Harry reunited on Saturday evening at the funeral around the coffins of Elizabeth II’s eight grandchildren, a ceremony where the British came before their funeral. monday.

The two brothers were in uniform—Harry no longer wore it since his shattered retirement from the monarchy—in contrast to his six cousins ​​Peter, Zara, Beatrice, Eugenie, Louise, who were hailed as the Queen’s favorite granddaughter, and James, rarely appeared in public.

Back in the coffin, heads bowed, visibly shaken, they gathered for ten minutes at the gaze of the visitors at Westminster Hall. They paraded without interruption, after a long queue, to say goodbye to the popular sovereign, who died on 8 September at the age of 96 at his Scottish residence, Balmoral.

Since 2020, the two children of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana have already created a surprise by reuniting with their wives Kate and Meghan during a walkout in front of Windsor Castle, two days after the Queen’s death.

We saw them again on Wednesday, a few meters away, during the very official procession behind the Queen’s remains between Buckingham Palace and Westminster.

Prince William, the heir to the Crown and who now holds the title Prince of Wales, has been at odds with his younger brother as Harry announced his distance from the royal family in March 2020, triggering an earthquake in the United Kingdom .

last chance to see the queen

“I love you William!”: The eldest of the two brothers enjoys strong popularity, as he was able to verify again on Saturday afternoon, during a surprise walkout with his father, Charles III, of Britain at the meeting. People were queuing to bow before the coffin.

Hours are now counted down to gather in front of the relics – in his closed coffin above the lavish royal crown – of the sovereign, very popular until his death, after more than 70 years of rule.

Two days before the ‘funeral of the century’ for which foreign dignitaries have begun to arrive, waiting times to see the coffin at Westminster Hall along the Thames in London exceeded 11 hours on Saturday evening and officials told the public Alerted for the required cooling overnight.

The public had until 6:30 a.m. Monday to pay their last respects to the sovereign, a final farewell in meditation, sometimes in tears, to a sovereign who became a symbol of unity and stability in Britain during his reign of a record length. has gone. history.

“It was really nice, very moving with a peaceful and calm vibe. The queue was long, but it looked like a celebration,” said 36-year-old Jenna O’Sullivan after waiting 14 hours to see the coffin later told AFP.

A rare occurrence in an ongoing tribute: a man was arrested Friday night after he left the line and approached the coffin, officials said.

Diplomatic Ballet for Charles

London is preparing for its first state funeral since the funeral of Winston Churchill in 1965. For the police, the event promises to be even grander than the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The protocol has been observed and reviewed over many years and His Majesty’s soldiers tirelessly take to the streets to repeat the course and gestures for the program.

Before the funeral at Westminster Abbey, Charles III received representatives from 14 other Commonwealth realms, of which he is the head of state.

Some leaders of the organization, to whom Elizabeth II was very attached, but who have been shaken by the Republican temptations of some members, especially in the Caribbean, had the opportunity to meditate in front of the coffin, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Jacinda . Ardern and Anthony Albanese.

Distinguished guests had started arriving in London, with US President Joe Biden, who was due to land in the capital that evening. He will attend a reception hosted by Charles III on Sunday evening for the invited heads of state.

On Monday morning, a procession will be carried out with the Queen’s coffin to Westminster Abbey, where the funeral will be held at 10 a.m. GMT.

Some 2,000 guests, including several hundred leaders from around the world, crowned heads, but anonymous people decorated for their collaborative commitment will also attend the ceremony.

Elizabeth II will be buried privately with her father King George VI and her husband Prince Philip at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, west London.