Princess Charlotte spotted telling Prince George to bow as Queen’s coffin went past

Princess Charlotte was seen giving her older brother Prince George a lesson in royal protocol today during a moment of levity amid the Queen’s final send off today. 

The youngster was spotted telling her sibling that he ‘has to bow’, as the Queen’s coffin went past while en route to Windsor, following Her Majesty’s funeral at Westminster Abbey today.

The Prince and Princess of Wales’ two eldest children, George, heir-to-the-throne, nine, and his younger sister, seven, joined senior royals at the London service after first travelling in a royal car with both of their parents, before later transferring to a procession car with Kate Middleton, 40, and Camilla, 75.

During the service, the Queen’s great grandchildren – without their youngest sibling, Louis, four, who did not attend the funeral – cut solemn figures, both appearing to grasp the enormity of the day in spite of their tender years.

After the service, as Her Majesty’s coffin left the Abbey to start its final journey out of London to Windsor, where the late monarch will be interred during a private burial at King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George’s Chapel.

As the casket passed the young royals, Princess Charlotte could be seen telling her brother ‘you need to bow’. The older child appeared to take his sister’s instruction on board, lowering his head as the monarch’s coffin passed him.

Prince George bowed his head as the Queen’s casket went past – after being told to do so by his younger sister Princess Charlotte 

The royal children appeared to appreciate the solemnity of the occasion today, despite their tender years

The royal children appeared to appreciate the solemnity of the occasion today, despite their tender years

Princess Charlotte (left) and Prince George (right) watched members of the Bearer Party transfer the coffin of the Queen, draped in the Royal Standard, from the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy into the State Hearse at Wellington Arch after the funeral service this afternoon

Princess Charlotte (left) and Prince George (right) watched members of the Bearer Party transfer the coffin of the Queen, draped in the Royal Standard, from the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy into the State Hearse at Wellington Arch after the funeral service this afternoon

The State Gun Carriage carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth arrives at Wellington Arch during the Ceremonial Procession following her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey, watched by members of the royal family (pictured L-R: Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, the Prince of Wales, King Charles, the Duke of Sussex, the Queen Consort, the Duchess of Sussex, the Princess Royal, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips, the Duke of York)

The State Gun Carriage carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth arrives at Wellington Arch during the Ceremonial Procession following her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey, watched by members of the royal family (pictured L-R: Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, the Prince of Wales, King Charles, the Duke of Sussex, the Queen Consort, the Duchess of Sussex, the Princess Royal, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips, the Duke of York)

The young royals watched as their grandmothers casket passed them during the Queen's final journey out of London. As it passed Princess Charlotte told her brother Prince George that he 'needed to bow'

The young royals watched as their grandmothers casket passed them during the Queen’s final journey out of London. As it passed Princess Charlotte told her brother Prince George that he ‘needed to bow’

As the Queen's casket passed the young royals, Princess Charlotte could be seen telling her brother 'you need to bow', which he did

As the Queen’s casket passed the young royals, Princess Charlotte could be seen telling her brother ‘you need to bow’, which he did

Earlier in the day, the royal children cut solemn figures as they were driven to Westminster Abbey ahead of the Queen’s state funeral.

Her Majesty made her final and saddest journey from Westminster Hall as Britain mourned its longest-serving monarch and the royals bade goodbye to a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. 

For George and Charlotte, the Princess of Wales, 40, provided a reassuring presence throughout, tightly holding onto her daughter’s hand at the family arrived at Westminster Abbey.   

Princess Charlotte wore a black mourning coat with velour collar and matching wide-brimmed hat, while George was dressed in a navy blue suit with a black tie.

Prince George appeared mature beyond his years, appreciating the history of the moment, and waiting patiently as his father Prince William arrived into the Abbey after walking behind the Queen’s coffin. 

A day in history: Prince George, nine, left, and Princess Charlotte, seven, are pictured travelling by car with the Queen Consort, who waved to crowds, and their mother, the Princess of Wales, to the Queen's funeral at Westminster Abbey today

A day in history: Prince George, nine, left, and Princess Charlotte, seven, are pictured travelling by car with the Queen Consort, who waved to crowds, and their mother, the Princess of Wales, to the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey today

The brother and sister look out across London's historic streets, with the Queen Consort seated behind them, as thousands of mourners line the streets

The brother and sister look out across London’s historic streets, with the Queen Consort seated behind them, as thousands of mourners line the streets

A smile for 'Gan-Gan': Princess Charlotte shyly smiles as she stands with her brother and senior royals at Westminster Abbey (Pictured from left: Meghan Markle, Sophie Wessex, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Kate Middleton)

A smile for ‘Gan-Gan’: Princess Charlotte shyly smiles as she stands with her brother and senior royals at Westminster Abbey (Pictured from left: Meghan Markle, Sophie Wessex, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Kate Middleton)

A guiding hand, the young royals pictured arriving at Westminster Abbey ahead of the funeral

A guiding hand, the young royals pictured arriving at Westminster Abbey ahead of the funeral 

Princess Charlotte stares out of the window from the royal car that carried herself and her older brother to Westminster Abbey

Princess Charlotte stares out of the window from the royal car that carried herself and her older brother to Westminster Abbey

Prince George, seated beside the Prince of Wales holds onto his order of service during the funeral for his great grandmother

Prince George, seated beside the Prince of Wales holds onto his order of service during the funeral for his great grandmother

Responsibility: Heads bowed, Prince Charlotte and Prince George walk inbetween the Prince and Princess of Wales as they follow the Queen's coffin into the church

Responsibility: Heads bowed, Prince Charlotte and Prince George walk inbetween the Prince and Princess of Wales as they follow the Queen’s coffin into the church

Three generations: Prince George walks next to his father, as Prince Harry and Prince Edward walk ahead and behind

Three generations: Prince George walks next to his father, as Prince Harry and Prince Edward walk ahead and behind

Sombre: George and Charlotte sing hymns during the funeral service, each seated beside their mother, the Princess of Wales

Sombre: George and Charlotte sing hymns during the funeral service, each seated beside their mother, the Princess of Wales 

The Queen's great grandchildren, clearly aware of the enormity of the day, stand quietly by their mother's side before as they await the arrival of their father. To their right, the Duchess of Sussex stands next to them

The Queen’s great grandchildren, clearly aware of the enormity of the day, stand quietly by their mother’s side before as they await the arrival of their father. To their right, the Duchess of Sussex stands next to them

A family in grief: From left: The Duchess of Sussex, Queen Consort, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex stand outside Westminster Abbey after the state funeral

A family in grief: From left: The Duchess of Sussex, Queen Consort, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex stand outside Westminster Abbey after the state funeral

Prince George, 9, looks nervous as he makes his way to his seat inside Westminster Abbey with his mother and sister

Princess Charlotte is seen adjusting her hat; the youngster wore a horseshoe brooch on her mourning coat, which was a gift from her great-grandmother the Queen

Princess Charlotte is seen adjusting her hat; the youngster wore a horseshoe brooch on her mourning coat, which was a gift from her great-grandmother the Queen. Right: Princess Charlotte is seen adjusting her hat; the youngster wore a horseshoe brooch on her mourning coat, which was a gift from her great-grandmother the Queen

Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte are shepherded to their seats by their mother the Princess of Wales

Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte are shepherded to their seats by their mother the Princess of Wales

Pictured from above: The Princess of Wales is seen guiding her two children into the Abbey; while Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte wore traditional black mourning dress, Prince George opted for a navy blue suit with a black tie

Pictured from above: The Princess of Wales is seen guiding her two children into the Abbey; while Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte wore traditional black mourning dress, Prince George opted for a navy blue suit with a black tie

Prince George and Princess Charlotte were the youngest members of the royal family to accompany the coffin down through the Abbey, (The Prince and Princess of Wales pictured four rows from the back of the central aisle)

Prince George and Princess Charlotte were the youngest members of the royal family to accompany the coffin down through the Abbey, (The Prince and Princess of Wales pictured four rows from the back of the central aisle)

The Queen's great grandchildren sat in front of their mother, the Princess of Wales and the Queen Consort as they made their way to Westminster Abbey in the claret royal car

The Queen’s great grandchildren sat in front of their mother, the Princess of Wales and the Queen Consort as they made their way to Westminster Abbey in the claret royal car

Prince George casts a glance at the crowds who've turned out to mourn his great grandmother

Prince George casts a glance at the crowds who’ve turned out to mourn his great grandmother

The young heir to the throne en route to a final farewell to his beloved 'Gan-Gan', with his mother and the Queen Consort seated behind him

The young heir to the throne en route to a final farewell to his beloved ‘Gan-Gan’, with his mother and the Queen Consort seated behind him

The Princess of Wales cut a pensive figure as she joined her mother-in-law and two of her three children for the short journey - while the King and Prince of Wales marched behind the Queen's coffin

The Princess of Wales cut a pensive figure as she joined her mother-in-law and two of her three children for the short journey – while the King and Prince of Wales marched behind the Queen’s coffin

Solemnity: The family sat in hushed silence as the car drove past crowds of mourners gathered on London's streets

Solemnity: The family sat in hushed silence as the car drove past crowds of mourners gathered on London’s streets

Arrival: The new Princess of Wales and her daughter exit the royal car at Westminster Abbey; the senior royal gently guides the seven-year-old in the right direction

Arrival: The new Princess of Wales and her daughter exit the royal car at Westminster Abbey; the senior royal gently guides the seven-year-old in the right direction

The Princess of Wales is seen walking hand-in-hand with her daughter as the family arrived at Westminster Abbey's hallowed doors ahead of the 11am service

The Princess of Wales is seen walking hand-in-hand with her daughter as the family arrived at Westminster Abbey’s hallowed doors ahead of the 11am service

The family pictured walking into the Abbey, bypassing royal guards in traditional uniform, ahead of the state funeral

The family pictured walking into the Abbey, bypassing royal guards in traditional uniform, ahead of the state funeral  

A supportive hand: Kate Middleton touches her daughter's shoulder as the family make their way to their seats

A supportive hand: Kate Middleton touches her daughter’s shoulder as the family make their way to their seats

The Princess of Wales continued with a series of supportive gestures to her daughter, including guiding her into the Abbey with a gentle hand as the family walked through the oak doors. 

Earlier, the two children looked on from their claret royal car as Prince William, King Charles and other senior royals marched behind the coffin as it arrived at Westminster Abbey.

After they arrived at the iron Abbey gates, senior royals were greeted by members of the clergy leading the state funeral. 

The Wales are believed to have brought the second-in-line to the throne to the historic event after senior palace advisers them to consider letting him attend the state funeral because of the powerful symbolic message it sends. 

Kate Middleton speaks to a member of the clergy welcoming the royal family to the Abbey, while holding Princess Charlotte's hand

Kate Middleton speaks to a member of the clergy welcoming the royal family to the Abbey, while holding Princess Charlotte’s hand

With her mother close by, Princess Charlotte walked into the Abbey today; the princess wore a mourning coat with velour collar and a matching wide-brimmed hat

With her mother close by, Princess Charlotte walked into the Abbey today; the princess wore a mourning coat with velour collar and a matching wide-brimmed hat

Prince George is introduced to the clergy leading the Queen's state funeral service; it's thought officials at Buckingham Palace made the decision that the nine-year-old should attend his late great-grandmother's funeral

Prince George is introduced to the clergy leading the Queen’s state funeral service; it’s thought officials at Buckingham Palace made the decision that the nine-year-old should attend his late great-grandmother’s funeral

The sillouhette of the Princess of Wales and her eldest son walking across the stone floor of Westminster Abbey

The sillouhette of the Princess of Wales and her eldest son walking across the stone floor of Westminster Abbey

The couple’s elder children appearing at the funeral today has come as somewhat of a surprise. The Daily Mail understands that the Prince and Princess of Wales thought ‘long and hard’ about whether their two eldest children, aged nine and seven, should join them.

But after George and Charlotte attended their great-grandfather’s memorial in March, William and Kate decided they could cope with the solemnity of the occasion. 

 ‘As parents they have, of course, thought long and hard about whether their children should accompany them,’ a source said. ‘Of course little Louis is too young, but they think George and Charlotte are up to it.’

Aged just nine, and having just overcome the daunting prospect of starting a new school, George is now the second in line to the throne.

With this in mind, aides have suggested it would be good for the public to see the young Prince – who affectionately called the Queen ‘Gan Gan’ – and is the future of the Monarchy.

It was the first time any of the Wales children have been seen in public since the Queen’s death on September 8th. 

Earlier, the two children - younger brother Prince Louis, four, was not in attendance today - were seen with their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales ahead of the Westminster Abbey service

Earlier, the two children – younger brother Prince Louis, four, was not in attendance today – were seen with their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales ahead of the Westminster Abbey service

Father and daughter appeared to chat during the short journey by car to the start of the funeral procession

Father and daughter appeared to chat during the short journey by car to the start of the funeral procession

Charlotte wore a black hat and looked sombre as she looked out at the thousands of well-wishers lining London's streets

Charlotte wore a black hat and looked sombre as she looked out at the thousands of well-wishers lining London’s streets

The car carrying the Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Wales pictured on Monday morning

The car carrying the Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Wales pictured on Monday morning

Once inside, George strode slightly ahead of the Princess of Wales as the family joined Prince William in their pews

Once inside, George strode slightly ahead of the Princess of Wales as the family joined Prince William in their pews

The death of their great-grandmother the Queen will be a heavy blow to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as they and their parents begin a new life at Adelaide Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle – where Her Majesty spent most of the year.

During royal walkabouts and engagements this week, the Princess of Wales has offered a glimpse into the grief of her children, saying that Prince George has a greater understanding of their Gan-Gan’s passing.

Days ago, Prince William said the couple are ‘trying to keep everything constant’ for their three children since the death of their beloved Grannie. 

While speaking with well-wishers outside the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, the Queen’s grandson Prince William told royal fans the children are ‘settling in’ after their great grandmother passed away during ‘the first week of school’. But he added they were ‘doing ok’. 

He told well-wisher Karen Anvil: ‘We’re trying to keep everything constant and settled for them.’

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried by the Bearer Party into Westminster Abbey past the grave of the Unknown Soldier

As royal fans chatted with the Prince of Wales, he admitted there was lots of talk of the Queen’s death among the pupils – and agreed it was the ‘only talking point’.

The UK’s most important church, packed with 2,000 VIPs including prime ministers, presidents and the Queen’s family, was serene aside from the sound of hymns and prayers in a funeral service Her Majesty has curated herself before she died.

On an highly emotional occasion for Britain and the world, the Queen was carried in her oak coffin to the gun carriage used by her parents and was followed through Parliament Square by her son, the King, and her relatives including the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex. Andrew, the Duke of York, appeared to be crying. Outside the Abbey an estimated 2million people are in central London along procession routes and watching on big screens.

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in a Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre arrives during the State Funeral Service

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in a Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s orb and sceptre arrives during the State Funeral Service

U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive, on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth

U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive, on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth

The State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin began its funeral procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey at around 10.45am, arriving just before 11am. 

A single toll from Big Ben signalled the start of the service at Westminster Abbey, where kings and queens have been crowned and buried since 1066. Her Majesty will be laid to rest at Windsor next to her beloved husband Prince Philip and her parents, George VI and the Queen Mother.

Despite the huge crowds, there was absolute silence as around 200 pipers and drummers of Scottish and Irish Regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas and RAF played as the procession went through Parliament Square. The Queen’s own piper played a lament that echoed through the heart of London.

Walking behind the carriage were the King and his siblings, followed by the Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex and Peter Phillips. The State Gun Carriage has also been previously used for the funerals of King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, Winston Churchill, and Lord Mountbatten.

King Charles is followed by his eldest son Prince William as they arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Queen's funeral

King Charles is followed by his eldest son Prince William as they arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s funeral

A man wrapped in the Union Flag clutches Paddington Bear and sobs for the Queen on The Mall

A man wrapped in the Union Flag clutches Paddington Bear and sobs for the Queen on The Mall

There was complete silence from the crowd close to Parliament Square, as the State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin slowly moved past. The crowd, momentarily still and with phones held aloft to capture the moment, was around 10-people thick in places, as tens of thousands thronged the streets to say goodbye to the monarch and witness a moment of history.

Following the funeral, the Queen’s coffin travelled from the Abbey via Broad Sanctuary, Parliament Square (south and east sides), Parliament Street, Whitehall, Horse Guards including Horse Guards Arch, Horse Guards Road, The Mall, Queen’s Gardens (south and west sides), Constitution Hill and Apsley Way.

At Wellington Arch, the Queen’s coffin was transferred from the State Gun Carriage to the State Hearse just after 1pm, ahead of the journey to Windsor.

It will then travel from central London to Windsor, on a route that has not been disclosed by the Palace. When the hearse arrives in Windsor, the procession will begin just after 3pm at Shaw Farm Gate on Albert Road.

The state hearse will join the procession, which will have been formed up and in position, at Shaw Farm Gate before travelling to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The procession will follow the route of Albert Road, Long Walk, Cambridge Gate, Cambridge Drive, George IV Gate, Quadrangle (south and west sides), Engine Court, Norman Arch, Chapel Hill, Parade Ground and Horseshoe Cloister Arch.

Just before 4pm, the procession will halt at the bottom of the West Steps of St George’s Chapel in Horseshoe Cloister. Here, the bearer party will carry the coffin in procession up the steps into the chapel.

The Queen will be interred during a private burial at King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle at 7.30pm.

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