Prince Edward explains why he doesn't shake hands with crowds

Prince Edward has explained his reasoning for not shaking hands with people as he greets the thousands of people that have travelled to pay their respects to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex have been in London for a few days since the Queen’s passing earlier in September, and they went outside to greet a few of the mourners who had turned out to Buckingham Palace.

The Queen’s youngest son spent a decent amount of time out there, choosing individual people to chat to outside the royal residence.

However, when people held their hands out to shake, Edward wasn’t keen to do so, favouring more of a wave rather than physical contact.

Apparently it’s all down to the simple fact that there are just loads of people there, and shaking hands with one of them would leave him feeling obliged to shake hands with everyone.

To one person, he remarked: “I’d love to shake hands, but have you seen how many people there are here?

“They’d [my hands would] fall off!”

Then, another member of the crowd said that he told them: “I’ve been trying to avoid it only because if I do it once, I have to shake everybody’s hand”.

Despite not wishing to touch anyone, he did greet many of those who had gathered, accompanied by his wife Sophie.

Outside the palace, he also said that his mother would ‘appreciate this fantastic support’ on offer to his family.

After her death, the Earl and Countess of Wessex released a statement that said: “We have been overwhelmed by the tide of emotion that has engulfed us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect to such a very special and unique person who was always there for us.

“And now, we are there for her, united in grief.

“Thank you for your support, you have no idea how much it means.”

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place tomorrow at Westminster Abbey.