Prince William makes heartbreaking confession about walking behind Queen's coffin

Prince William has revealed what is was like to walk behind the Queen's coffin.

Both Prince William and Prince Harry walked in tandem during the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, which took place yesterday (14 September).

PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

The two brothers seemingly repeated history when, 25 years prior, they both walked side-by-side at the funeral procession for Princess Diana, their mother.

The heir to the throne marched solemnly behind the coffin as surrounding mourners lined the streets.

Prince William has revealed that walking behind his grandmother's coffin brought back some difficult memories from his childhood.

Correspondent Jane Wells, who laid flowers at the event, said: “He [Prince William] told us yesterday had been particularly difficult and following the coffin had reminded him of his mother’s funeral, of Diana.

“He said it had been very difficult," Metro reports.

A BBC documentary sees Prince William discussing what it was like to attend his own mother's funeral aged 15 years old, alongside his younger brother Harry, who was just 12 at the time.

He explained the difficulty between striking a balance with his personal feelings and royal duties: "Between me being Prince William and having to do my bit, versus the private William who just wanted to go into a room and cry, who'd lost his mother."

Reuters

Prince William recounted: "I just remember hiding behind my fringe basically, at a time when I had a lot of hair, and my head's down a lot - so I'm hiding behind my fringe.

"It was kind of like a tiny bit of safety blanket if you like."

"I know it sounds ridiculous, but at the time I felt if I looked at the floor and my hair came down over my face, no one could see me.

"Sounds ridiculous now, but at the time it was important to me to get through the day," Prince William concluded.

BBC

Joining the two princes in the procession were other members of the Royal Family including the Queen's four children - King Charles III, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.

The coffin was covered with the Royal Standard, and was decorated with the Imperial State Crown resting on a purple velvet cushion alongside a wreath of white flowers.

As the march from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall came to an end, the choir of Westminster Abbey and the choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, sang Psalm 139.

The Archbishop of Canterbury then read the opening prayer, which the King appeared to follow through an order of service.

The Queen's coffin will remain in Westminster Hall until the funeral, which is set to take place next Monday at 11:00 am (19 September).