King Charles’ goddaughter India Hicks shed a tear as she walked into Westminster Abbey today to say her final goodbye to the Queen.
India, 55, looked sombre in all black including a long sleeved black dress with and knee-high Louboutin boots, as she walked alongside her wheelchair-bound mother Lady Pamela Hicks into Britain’s most historic church.
Lady Pamela Hicks, 93, is the daughter of Lord Mountbatten and cousin of Prince Philip. She was also a bridesmaid at the wedding of the Queen and Prince Philip, while India was a bridesmaid when King Charles married Princess Diana.
King Charles’ goddaughter India Hicks shed a tear as she walked into Westminster Abbey today to say her final goodbye to the Queen
ndia, 55, looked sombre in all black including a long sleeved black dress with and knee-high Louboutin boots, as she walked alongside her wheelchair-bound mother Lady Pamela Hicks into Britain’s most historic church
India, who shares sons Wesley, 24, Felix, 24, Amory, 22, Conrad, 18, and daughter Domino, 13, with her partner David Flint Wood, lives in the Bahamas but was in the UK last week to celebrate her one year wedding anniversary when the Queen passed away aged 96.
She has remained in the country for the period of mourning and today tied her hair into a low bun and opted for a black fascisnator for the service.
Lady Pamela is the daughter of Earl Mountbatten, the brother of Prince Philip’s mother. She previously served as a lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty.
Earl Mountbatten, was affectionately known as ‘Uncle Dickie’ by Prince Philip and the Queen, and was seen as hugely influential in the early life of both royals.
Through her father she is a great-great granddaughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, also making her a distant cousin of the Queen.
India, who shares sons Wesley, 24, Felix, 24, Amory, 22, Conrad, 18, and daughter Domino, 13, with her partner David Flint Wood, lives in the Bahamas but was in the UK last week to celebrate her one year wedding anniversary when the Queen passed away aged 96
Lady Pamela Hicks was one of the bridesmaids at the wedding of Prince Philip to Princess Elizabeth in 1947
Lady Pamela has previously shared insight into family life for the Windsors.
She recalled in a podcast interview last year how the Queen was always ‘patient’ and ‘kind’ to her mother-in-law Princess Alice of Battenberg, who could be ‘very sharp and difficult
‘I remember, she was staying at Windsor and we were waiting to go into lunch,’ Lady Pamela recalled. ‘The equerry had come to collect her for lunch with the Queen.
‘He was a new equerry, a young man of about 20, and thought he must entertain Princess Alice and talk to her.
‘He unwisely asked, “and what have you been doing this morning, Ma’am,’ to which Princess Alice replied: “And what has that got to do with you?”‘
India has remained in the country for the period of mourning and today tied her hair into a low bun and opted for a black fascisnator for the service
India was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. She is pictured second left at the wedding with the Queen and Diana
Lady Pamela also explained that, despite living under the same roof as her son, Princess Alice and Prince Philip led very separate lives.
‘She was in a dressing gown, by choice, in the attic,’ Lady Pamela said. ‘While Prince Philip was very busy down below.’
2,000 royals, world leaders and hundreds of members of the public have began filing into the Abbey as billions around the world will watch Her Majesty’s state funeral.
Most of the VIPs arrived by coach, meeting at the Royal Hospital Chelsea before being put on a bus into Central London. Britain’s ministers – past and present – were among the first arrivals including Nadham Zahawi, Ben Wallace and Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Lady Pamela is the daughter of Earl Mountbatten, the brother of Prince Philip’s mother. She previously served as a lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty. The pair have been lifelong friends, pictured throughout their life
Representatives of the British military at Westminster Abbey, on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, in London
Michael and Carole Middleton, the parents of Kate, the Princess of Wales, arrived two hours early for the service, followed by Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Consort, Camilla. They were also on a bus together – despite their close links to the Royal Family. Celebrities at the funeral include TV personality Bear Grylls.
Funeral flowers in the abbey featured myrtle – which was used in the Queen’s wedding bouquet as is royal tradition. The huge white and green displays of blooms included asiatic lilies, gladioli, alstroemeria, eustoma and foliage of English oak, weeping birch and the sprigs of myrtle.
Around the coffin will stand the four tall yellow candles which usually rest around the grave of the unknown warrior at the entrance to the historic church.
And outside hardy royal fans defied no-camping rules, as people of all ages set up tents, deck chairs and even a makeshift minibar to grab premium seats for the spectacle that will see 2million flood into the capital. By 8.30am member of the public were told that the procession route was full and began diverting people to Hyde Park to watch on the big screens.
Guests arriving for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey today
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