Kate Middleton and Prince William Say Goodbye to Queen: 'A Mother, a Grandmother and a Great Grandmother'

Mar. 15, 2025

The Prince and Princess of Wales are biddingQueen Elizabetha final farewell.

The couplereturned to the venueof their 2011 wedding for Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral on Monday at Westminster Abbey. Kate, 40,arrived for the funeralwith their sonPrince George, 9, and daughterPrincess Charlotte, 7, but their 4-year-old sonPrince Louiswasnot in attendance.

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Lesley Garven MBE, manager ofthe Blind Veterans UK,tells PEOPLEthat the monarch and his sons appeared emotional during the services.

Prince William and Kate Middleton take their seats with son Prince George and daughter Princess Charlotte at Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral.Getty

“They were obviously holding it together, but when you are so close to somebody you can really feel it and see it, and I think that was probably quite … it was human. It was real human feelings. Being in there was quite up close and personal and intimate. And it was that whole feeling of, ‘This is somebody’s mother and grandmother.’ Below the pageantry, you could really feel it. The real, raw feelings of people,” Garven adds.

After the Queendied at age 96on September 8,Prince Williamshared a heartfelt statementin his grandmother’s memory.

“On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute,” he wrote. “So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign.

“I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives,” he continued.

RELATED VIDEO:Prince George, 9, andPrincess Charlotte, 7, Join Royal Family Procession atQueen Elizabeth’s Funeral

The Queen’s coffintraveled to Westminster Hallin a solemn procession on Wednesday, and it has since beenlying-in-statefor mourners to pay their respects. More than 2,000 people from around the world gathered Monday at Westminster Abbey in Londonfor the Queen’s state funeralbefore she was laid to rest at Windsor Castle.

source: people.com