The younger generation of royal cousins are showing their strength for their grandmother
Prince William and Prince Harry’s cousins have shown their support for their “granny” at their grandfather Prince Philip’s funeral.
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While the world’s eyes were on Princes William and Harry, their cousins were also showing their royal mettle as Prince Philip’s grand-children came together to honour their beloved Grandpa.
Prince Harry called him the “legend of banter” in his tribute last week and Princess Eugenie pledged “to look after Granny” in a post on Instagram.
On Saturday, as the duke’s coffin made its way from Windsor Castle to St George’s Chapel, Peter Phillips – the first grandchild of the Queen and Philip, walked in-between his cousins
William and Harry in the solemn procession, either to diffuse the tension, or share the burden of grief.
Once inside the chapel, they were joined by Peter’s sister Zara Tindall and husband Mike. Zara showed her strong genes, having delivered her third baby and first son, Lucas Philip, only four weeks ago. Also in attendance were Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and partners Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank. Eugenie is also a new mum, welcoming baby August Philip Hawke in February. Both boys were touchingly named after their great-grandfather.
They were also joined by their young cousins Lady Louise Windsor, 17, and James, Viscount Severn, 13, with their parents Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. Louise is a keen carriage-driver, having taken up her grandfather’s sport and she was spotted driving with horses in his honour in Windsor last week. The family lives in Bagshot Park, just outside Windsor.
The funeral was Louise and James’ most high-profile event yet, as the youngest of the Queen’s grand-children by far, they are closer in age to her great-grand-children.
But the family of four was able to pay their respects seated together in the church to bid farewell to their grandfather, who had been such a central part in all of his eight grandchildren and ten great-grand-children’s lives.
The only great-grandchild Philip missed out on meeting, was the soon-to-be-born daughter of Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Unable to fly because of the imminent birth, Meghan left a handwritten note on a wreath of flowers with Harry and watched the funeral live-streamed at home in California.