The royal ladies, including the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Sussex, the Countess of Wessex, and Lady Louise, followed royal protocol as they bid farewell to the Queen.
Each of them performed a curtsy towards the Queen’s coffin after Her Majesty’s procession today.
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, daughters of the Duke of York, were visibly emotional as they stood before the Queen’s coffin, wiping away tears.
They were supported by their husbands, Jack Brooksbank and Edomapeli Motsi.
In a solemn gathering, members of the royal family accompanied the Queen on her poignant final journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where she will lie in state beneath its ancient hammer beam roof.
Kate, the mother of three, has been by her husband Prince William’s side since the announcement of his grandmother’s passing last Thursday.
She participated in the short service at Westminster Hall and performed a curtsy upon leaving.
As a tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, Kate wore her pearl earrings, gifted to Diana before her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981.
She also adorned a pearl brooch that belonged to the Queen.
Putting aside their bitter feud, William and Harry stood together with their wives, Kate and Meghan, to honor the Queen during her lying in state service.
While the brothers walked side by side during the 38-minute procession from Buckingham Palace, their spouses traveled separately.
Meghan was accompanied by the Countess of Wessex, while Kate was joined by Camilla, the Queen Consort.
During the service, the FAB 4 stood facing the coffin on its purple-covered catafalque, with tall, yellow flickering candles at each corner.
This poignant moment marked the first time the couples have been seen together since their surprise walkabout at Windsor Castle on Saturday, demonstrating a rare show of togetherness.
In a respectful gesture towards the Queen, Kate honored royal protocol by staying one step behind Prince William during the lying in state ceremony.
According to royal protocol, Prince William outranks Kate as a blood prince, while she is a royal by marriage.
Therefore, it is customary for her to walk one step away from Prince William.
Additionally, Kate was seen curtsying to the Queen as she approached the coffin, always walking behind Prince William.
Although the Royal Family’s website states that there are no obligatory codes of behavior when meeting the Queen, people are encouraged to observe traditional forms as a sign of respect.
Women are expected to perform a small curtsy.
It is worth noting that Prince Philip, despite being a blood prince of Denmark and Greece, always walked two steps behind the Queen as he held a lower rank compared to her.
The royal ladies’ curtsies and the emotional display of Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice highlight the deep respect and sorrow felt by the entire royal family.
As they bid farewell to the Queen, they honor her memory and continue to uphold the traditions and protocols that have defined the monarchy for centuries.