Brothers in arms: Prince William and Prince Harry reunited in uniform at Queen’s vigil

The Queen’s eight grandchildren, including warring brothers Prince William and Prince Harry, stand guard over her coffin in a historic first.

Prince William and Prince Harry were reunited in full military uniform for the vigil of the Queen’s grandchildren.

The Prince of Wales led the group of eight royals in a historic first for the monarchy, which has never before seen the grandchildren of the sovereign stand vigil over their coffin.

It comes a day after King Charles led the Final Vigil of the Princes, which saw Prince Andrew also receiving the special honour to wear his uniform as a mark of respect to the Queen.

Prince William leads the Queen’s grandchildren, followed closely behind by his brother, Prince Harry. Picture: AFP

Prince William and Prince Harry arrive to stand vigil over the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: AFP

Prince William and Prince Harry arrive to stand vigil over the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: AFP

Both Prince Andrew and Prince Harry had been stripped of the privilege of wearing their military uniforms after they stopped being working members of the Royal family.

Prince Harry wore his Afghanistan service medal, while both he and Prince William were both wearing their Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals on their Household Calvary Blues and Royals No1 uniform.

Prince Harry and Prince William take their place during a vigil in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: Getty Images

The Queen’s eight grandchildren stand guard over her coffin. Picture: AFP

Prince William leads the grandchildren after the vigil, with Prince Harry following at the rear. Picture: AFP

Prince William and Prince Harry were joined by their cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, daughters of Prince Andrews, as well as Zara Tindall and Peter Philips, children of Princess Anne, and Lady Louise Windsor and James Alexander, Viscount Severn, children of Prince Edward.

Prince William, Prince of Wales, stands vigil at the head of Queen Elizabeth II’s casket. Picture: Getty Images

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex holds a vigil beside the coffin of his grandmother. Picture: Getty Images

There was increased security scrutiny after police a day earlier tackled a man to the ground as he appeared to rush the Queen’s coffin just hours after the vigil held by King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.

Princess Eugenie of York holds vigil in honour of the Queen. Picture: Ian Vogler-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Princess Eugenie of York, Princess Beatrice of York, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor, James, Viscount Severn arrive to hold a vigil in honour of the Queen. Picture: Aaron Chown/Getty Images

Crowds waited patiently in Westminster for the arrival of Prince William and the extended royal grandchildren, who appeared to arrive in separate vehicles.

The vigil is a century-old tradition which sees the family members of a monarch “keep guard” over their coffin.

Prince William, Prince of Wales, arrives at the Palace of Westminster to take part in a Royal vigil. Picture: AFP

The Queen’s eight grandchildren stood with their heads bowed as other members of the royal family watched on.

While it was the first vigil held by the Queen’s grandchildren, it was the third after two held by the Queen’s children.

The first was a similar service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh earlier this week, in which King Charles wore a kilt, and Prince Andrew a suit.

Prince Harry was granted a special dispensation to wear his uniform after the King reportedly overturned the ban with a “special request”.

Originally published as Brothers in arms: Prince William and Prince Harry reunited in uniform at Queen’s vigil