How Queen Elizabeth’s death affected her grandchildren

The Queen’s grandchildren have been central to the mourning period over the past few days. See how they have been affected by her death.

As Princes William and Harry walked behind their grandmothers’ coffin as it processed to Westminster on Wednesday, all eyes were on the emotional brothers.

But they are just two of the Queen’s eight grandchildren, all of them fighting back tears as they combine their personal grief with one of the most public funerals in our lifetimes.

The Queen’s grandchildren, ranging in age from 14 to 44, bid their granny goodbye during the ceremony at Westminster Hall.

The oldest – Peter Phillips, 44, who walked alongside William and Harry, was joined at the service, by his sombre-looking sister, Zara Tindall, 41, as well as Princesses Beatrice, 34 and Eugenie, 32, Lady Louise Windsor, 18 and James, Viscount Severn, 14.

The grandchildren have been central to the mourning period over the past few days.

Members of the British Royal family, including Princes Harry and William, pay their respects during the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on September 14. Picture: Getty Images

Peter and Zara were some of the first to emerge at Balmoral on Saturday September 10, following the Queen’s death that Thursday, to look at floral tributes. Zara fought back tears as she took in the messages.

Alongside them were Beatrice and Eugenie, who also openly wept as they waved to well-wishers and read the tributes, as well as Edward and Sophie’s daughter – and it is reported, the Queen’s favourite grandchild – Lady Louise.

The Queen had a close and loving relationship with her grandchildren and her 12 great-grandchildren and they have spoken of their deep love and affection for her.

Lady Louise Windsor views the flowers left by mourners outside Balmoral Castle. Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage

Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and Sophie, Countess of Wessex view the flowers left by mourners outside Balmoral Castle on September 10. Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage

Eugenie had previously revealed how the Queen’s favourite family time was at Balmoral.

“Family-wise we’re all there, so it’s a lovely base for Granny … for us to come and see them up there, where you just have room to breathe and run,” she said.

The Queen adored equestrian Zara, sharing her love of horses and showed her affection for Beatrice by letting her wear her vintage Norman Hartnell dress for her mid-pandemic wedding in 2020.

Queen Elizabeth II and Zara Phillips, pictured here at Royal Ascot in 2015. Picture: Getty Images

Similarly, the Queen’s love for her great-grandchildren was evident – she would leave little gifts on the beds for them when they visited and regularly video called Archie and Lilibet.

Cheeky Mia Tindall also had a special place in her heart – she even got to hold her great-grandmother’s handbag in the monarch’s 90th birthday photograph in 2016.

Dad Mike revealed, “She was being a bit naughty. The Queen got it quite right when she told her, ‘Just hold the handbag now’. It ended up being a great photo of her,” he told Good Morning Britain. “It will be something we’ll always cherish.”

“All of the Queen’s grandchildren are going to be hurting right now. No matter when you lose your grandparent, you always feel like you didn’t have enough time,” deputy editor of Royal Central Brittani Barger said.

“Besides William and Harry, the other grandchildren are less in the limelight, so they may be able to have more private time to grieve.”

Reconciling grieving in private and public is something William and Harry know all about, thanks to the funeral of their mother Diana 25 years ago.

“What is encouraging to see is the Queen’s grandchildren are being included in events. However, they may feel highly vulnerable in having strangers witness their distress,” CEO of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement Christopher Hall said.

“We all need to find a safe place where we can express the pain of the loss and wrap our head and heart around the changed world which we inhabit.”

However, he said, in some ways, grieving in public may help.

“When the bereaved are in a supportive environment and feel safe, grieving in public can be experienced as positive.”

The Queen’s grandchildren watch on as her coffin is carried into Westminster Hall. Picture: Getty Images

The Queen’s grandchildren have been lucky to have had so much time with their grandmother and for her to have forged loving bonds with their own children.

Prince George called the Queen Gan-Gan and spent as much time with his great- grandmother as many children do with their grandparents.

But the great-grandchildren – and the Queen’s youngest grandchildren – are the ones who will miss out the most.

“I think it may be more difficult on Louise and James as they are the youngest grandchildren,” Ms Brittani said.

“They know they won’t have the Queen at their graduations and weddings, so that may weigh heavily on them.”

The youngest won’t even remember the record-breaking monarch at all.

Her 12 great-grandchildren include Savannah and Isla Phillips, 11 and 10, Prince George, 9, Mia Tindall, 8, Princess Charlotte, 7, Prince Louis, 4, Lena Tindall, 4, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, 3, August Brooksbank, 1, Lucas Tindall, 1, Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, 1 and Sienna Mapelli Mozzi, who turns one on Sunday, September 18.

Of those, August, Lucas, Lilibet and Sienna will have no memories at all. They are the first of a new generation of royals with no real links to the old – or in the case of Lilibet, who only met the Queen in June, not even an official photograph to remember.

That guiding compass, as Harry said, has been passed on for journeys without her.

Originally published as How Queen Elizabeth’s death affected her grandchildren