The Queen’s ‘rock’ mourns the woman she called ‘mama’: Her Majesty’s ‘favourite daughter-in-law’ Sophie Wessex joins Meghan Markle at Westminster Abbey to mourn late monarch
- Sophie Wessex cut a reflective figure as she joined her family at the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey
- Prince Edward’s wife opted for traditional all black mourning dress as she mourned woman she called ‘mama’
- Sophie was very close to her mother-in-law and has been noted as the monarch’s ‘favourite’ family member
The Queen’s ‘favourite daughter-in-law’ Sophie Wessex cut a reflective figure as she donned an all-black ensemble to pay tribute to the woman she called ‘mama’.
Prince Edward’s wife, 57, who had an exceptionally close relationship with her mother-in-law opted for traditional mourning dress as she entered Westminster Abbey today.
The mother-of-two, was joined by Meghan Markle, while her husband, 57, joined his brother King Charles III, nephews Princes William and Harry, sister Princess Anne and brother Prince Andrew walking behind the Queen.
Sophie and Edward’s two children Lady Louise Windsor, 18, and James, Viscount Severn, 14 were also in attendance.
The Queen’s youngest two grandchildren have shown a maturity far beyond their years as they joined their older cousins in mourning since the Queen died at Balmoral on September 8, aged 96.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex is seen on The Mall ahead of The State Funeral for Queen Elizabeth II
The countess of Wessex arrived for today’s service with Meghan Markle, whose husband Prince Harry travelled with his cousin Peter Phillips
The Countess of Wessex has been a constant presence since the death of the Queen, making a number of appearances to thank well-wishers across the country.
It has been reported that Sophie will also inherit a number of patronages held by Her Majesty. She is also likely to become the Duchess of Edinburgh – a title previously held by the Queen – when her husband inherits his father’s title as Duke of Edinburgh.
It will be seen as a reflection of both the close relationship the two women shared, and of the increasingly senior role she holds within the Royal Family.
Sophie was very close to her mother-in-law and has been noted as the monarch’s ‘favourite’ family member after she married Prince Edward.
The Countess formed a close bond with the royal family after losing her own mother, Mary Rhys-Jones, to stomach cancer in 2005 aged 71, when her daughter Lady Louise Windsor was only two.
King Charles III is seen on The Mall ahead of The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Kate rests a caring arm on George and his sister Charlotte as they arrive at the Abbey
Prince George, Prince Charlotte and their mother, the Princess of Wales, walk into Westminster Abbey for today’s service
The Queen is carried to Westminster Abbey – the scene of her coronation and wedding – for her state funeral today
The King and the royal family march to Westminster Abbey from Westminster Hall
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive, on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth
She was also extremely distraught following the death of the Duke Edinburgh, and became the Queen’s ‘rock’ following his funeral.
Speaking in June last year, royal expert Duncan Larcombe told The Sun: ‘Sophie has emerged as the Queen’s unlikely “rock” as the monarch adjusts to life without Prince Philip. Prince Edward’s wife has – according to sources – made it her personal mission to ensure Her Majesty is fully supported by the family.
‘Since the Duke’s death in April, Sophie has driven the 10 miles from her Bagshot Park home to Windsor Castle every few days and most weekends to spend socially-distanced time with Her Majesty.’
For the days she couldn’t make it to see the Queen in person, the Countess ‘made a point of calling her mother-in-law at least once a day’.
Sophie, who has been described as ‘the royal peacemaker’ shared a car with Meghan, travelling behind members of the royal family walking on foot.
Pallbearers gently carried the late monarch’s oak coffin, carrying her crown, orb and sceptre
Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, and his children arrive at Westminster Hall. Charlotte was next to her father. George was in the back
The Queen begins her final journey from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey
Her Majesty is carried into her funeral watched by her mourning family
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top
The Queen has made her final and saddest journey to Westminster Abbey as Britain says farewell to its longest-serving monarch and the royals mourned a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Her Majesty was carried in her oak coffin to the gun carriage used by her parents and was followed by her son, the King, and her relatives including the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex.
The grieving Royal Family are saying farewell to Elizabeth II at her state funeral along with 2,000 VIPs and an estimated 2million people in central London.
The State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin began its funeral procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey at around 10.45am, arriving just before 11am. A single toll from Big Ben signalled the start of the service at Westminster Abbey, where kings and queens have been crowned since 1066.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried by the Bearer Party into Westminster Abbey past the grave of the Unknown Soldier
King Charles III, Camilla, the Queen Consort, Princess Anne, and her husband Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Prince William, and Kate, Princess of Wales with their children Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Britain’s Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, David Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowden, Peter Phillips, The Duke of Gloucester, Prince Michael of Kent and the Duke of Kent follow the coffin
The King, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward walk to the abbey behind their mother
Despite the huge crowds, there was absolute silence as around 200 pipers and drummers of Scottish and Irish Regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas and RAF played as the procession went through Parliament Square. The Queen’s own piper played a lament that echoed through the heart of London.
Walking behind the carriage were the King and his siblings, followed by the Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex and Peter Phillips. The State Gun Carriage has also been previously used for the funerals of King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, Winston Churchill, and Lord Mountbatten.
There was complete silence from the crowd close to Parliament Square, as the State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin slowly moved past. The crowd, momentarily still and with phones held aloft to capture the moment, was around 10-people thick in places, as tens of thousands thronged the streets to say goodbye to the monarch and witness a moment of history.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte travelled to Westminster Abbey in the same car as the Queen Consort, with the Princess of Wales arriving with them. They arrived at the church shortly after some of the Queen’s grandchildren including Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
World leaders including Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron arrived at Westminster Abbey around an hour before the service began. The congregation of 2,000 sat in solemn silence as Her Majesty arrived.
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