Prince William Says Queen Elizabeth's Coffin Procession Reminded Him of Princess Diana's Funeral

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince Williamsays the present is bringing back memories of the past.The new Prince of Wales, 40, connected with the crowd during a walkabout in Sandringham Thursday, where he andKate Middletontoured tributes left inQueen Elizabeth’s honor following the monarch’s death last week. The senior royals spent about 45 minutes speaking with mourners gathered outside the Norwich Gates of Sandringham House. There, William revealed that theceremonial processionof Queen Elizabeth’s coffin through the streets of London reminded him of the same ritual following the death of his motherPrincess Dianain 1997.Speaking to crowds outside Sandringham House, where people had come to lay flowers at the gate, a mourner saidPrince Williamspoke of how “difficult” Wednesday’s procession had been.Prince William, Princess Diana.Andrew O’Brien - Pool/Getty Images; Georges De Keerle/Getty Images"He said how difficult it was yesterday and how it reminded him of his mum’s funeral," said mourner Jane Wells,The Telegraphreported. “Catherine said it’s just been such a difficult time for all of them, for the whole family.“Prince William and Kate Middleton.Samir Hussein/WireImageOn Wednesday, the future king walked with brotherPrince Harryand members of the royal family behind the Queen’s coffin as it moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where it will lie in state until her funeral on Monday. The path was similar to the one the brothers took 25 years ago for Diana’s funeral on September 6, 1997.For more on the Royals, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.On that somber day, William and Harry — then ages 15 and 12, respectively — followed a route that began at Kensington Palace, Princess Diana’s London home, to Westminster Abbey.From left: Prince Philip, Prince William, Charles Spencer, Prince Harry and Prince Charles walk behind Princess Diana’s casket at her 1997 funeral.JEFF J. MITCHELL/AFP/Getty"It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, that walk,” William admitted in the 2017 BBC documentaryDiana, 7 Days.“It felt like she was almost walking along beside us to get us through it.“Diana’s coffin was draped in the Royal Standard and crowned in white flowers, as the Queen’s was on Wednesday.STR/AFP via GettyWhile talking to the public at Sandringham, the late monarch’s beloved country home in Norfolk, a well-wisher told the royal heir she was near tears.“Don’t cry now — you’ll start me,” William replied, according toThe Telegraph.Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry.DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesBex Neeve, 44, from the county of Norfolk, waited over two hours to see the Prince and Princess of Wales and told PEOPLE about the words she shared with them.“William said he thinks Monday will be hard,” Neeve tells PEOPLE. “Kate said it’s been overwhelming, and she and William are very grateful for everyone being here. She was emotional. They seemed like they were here to soak up all the love.“Her mother Sharon Clouting, 64, adds, “You can tell William is his mother’s son. He was chatting so easily and very sincere.“Chris Jackson/GettyQueen Elizabethwill be laid to rest in astate funeralat Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19.Members of the royal family areexpected to processbehind her coffin three times: as it moves into Westminster Abbey, then 1 ½ miles across London to the Wellington Arch and finally to Windsor Castle, where the Queen will be laid to rest atSt. George’s Chapel.

Prince Williamsays the present is bringing back memories of the past.

The new Prince of Wales, 40, connected with the crowd during a walkabout in Sandringham Thursday, where he andKate Middletontoured tributes left inQueen Elizabeth’s honor following the monarch’s death last week. The senior royals spent about 45 minutes speaking with mourners gathered outside the Norwich Gates of Sandringham House. There, William revealed that theceremonial processionof Queen Elizabeth’s coffin through the streets of London reminded him of the same ritual following the death of his motherPrincess Dianain 1997.

Speaking to crowds outside Sandringham House, where people had come to lay flowers at the gate, a mourner saidPrince Williamspoke of how “difficult” Wednesday’s procession had been.

Prince William, Princess Diana.Andrew O’Brien - Pool/Getty Images; Georges De Keerle/Getty Images

“He said how difficult it was yesterday and how it reminded him of his mum’s funeral,” said mourner Jane Wells,The Telegraphreported. “Catherine said it’s just been such a difficult time for all of them, for the whole family.”

Prince William and Kate Middleton.Samir Hussein/WireImage

On Wednesday, the future king walked with brotherPrince Harryand members of the royal family behind the Queen’s coffin as it moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where it will lie in state until her funeral on Monday. The path was similar to the one the brothers took 25 years ago for Diana’s funeral on September 6, 1997.

For more on the Royals, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

On that somber day, William and Harry — then ages 15 and 12, respectively — followed a route that began at Kensington Palace, Princess Diana’s London home, to Westminster Abbey.

From left: Prince Philip, Prince William, Charles Spencer, Prince Harry and Prince Charles walk behind Princess Diana’s casket at her 1997 funeral.JEFF J. MITCHELL/AFP/Getty

“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, that walk,” William admitted in the 2017 BBC documentaryDiana, 7 Days.“It felt like she was almost walking along beside us to get us through it.”

Diana’s coffin was draped in the Royal Standard and crowned in white flowers, as the Queen’s was on Wednesday.

STR/AFP via Getty

While talking to the public at Sandringham, the late monarch’s beloved country home in Norfolk, a well-wisher told the royal heir she was near tears.

“Don’t cry now — you’ll start me,” William replied, according toThe Telegraph.

Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!

King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry.DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Bex Neeve, 44, from the county of Norfolk, waited over two hours to see the Prince and Princess of Wales and told PEOPLE about the words she shared with them.

“William said he thinks Monday will be hard,” Neeve tells PEOPLE. “Kate said it’s been overwhelming, and she and William are very grateful for everyone being here. She was emotional. They seemed like they were here to soak up all the love.”

Her mother Sharon Clouting, 64, adds, “You can tell William is his mother’s son. He was chatting so easily and very sincere.”

Chris Jackson/Getty

Queen Elizabethwill be laid to rest in astate funeralat Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19.

Members of the royal family areexpected to processbehind her coffin three times: as it moves into Westminster Abbey, then 1 ½ miles across London to the Wellington Arch and finally to Windsor Castle, where the Queen will be laid to rest atSt. George’s Chapel.

source: people.com