Meghan Markle driven behind Queen Elizabeth II's coffin procession with Sophie, Countess of Wessex

Meghan Markle driven behind Queen Elizabeth II's coffin procession with Sophie, Countess of Wessex
queen coffin leaves buckingham palace
Tom Evans

By Tom Evans


Published: 14/09/2022

- 14:57

Updated: 14/09/2022

- 15:07

The Duchess of Sussex travelled by car as Queen Elizabeth II's coffin was moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall

The Duchess of Sussex travelled by car as the late monarch's coffin was moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.

She joined Sophie, Countess of Wessex as the duo supported walking members of the Royal Family during proceedings.


Camilla, Queen Consort and Kate, Princess of Wales travelled in a separate car.

They travelled in a cortege with police escort vehicles past the Grand Entrance of the palace at around 2.45pm.

Princes William and Harry joined King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward on foot alongside Peter Phillips, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke of Gloucester and the Earl of Snowdon.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is pictured during the procession of the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament, in London, Britain, September 14, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
The Duchess of Sussex travelled by car as the late monarch's coffin was moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall
SARAH MEYSSONNIER

Camilla, Queen Consort and Kate, Princess of Wales travelled in a separate car
Camilla, Queen Consort and Kate, Princess of Wales travelled in a separate car
SARAH MEYSSONNIER

Also forming part of the procession were loyal members of Queen Elizabeth II's staff, including two of the Queen’s Pages and the Palace Steward, who walked directly in front of the coffin.

The Pall Bearers were 10 former and serving armed forces equerries to Queen Elizabeth II, who were at her side in uniform throughout her reign, supporting her at engagements and organising her public diary.

Other devoted members of Queen Elizabeth II's household who processed included her top aide, private secretary Sir Edward Young.

There too was the Master of the Household at Buckingham Palace, Vice Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt.

As the procession passed Horse Guards Parade, crowds of mourners, many in tears, applauded as the coffin entered the vast ceremonial parade ground, with the bells of Big Ben continuing to sound every minute.

The coffin moved under the Arch of the Horse Guards briefly out of the sunlight before arriving on Whitehall.

The Prince and Princess of Wales with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Windsor on Saturday
The Prince and Princess of Wales with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Windsor on Saturday
PETER NICHOLLS

It comes after William, Kate, Harry and Meghan stunned royal watchers with a rare display of unity on Saturday.

The quartet – once dubbed the Fab Four – arrived in the same vehicle and greeted well-wishers for around 40 minutes before William hopped into the driver’s seat of the Audi with his wife in the passenger seat, and his brother and sister-in-law in the back.

This was Harry and Meghan’s first public appearance alongside the Wales's since they stepped down as senior royals in 2020 amid the Megxit storm.

In April 2021, Harry and William joined their father when they walked behind the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin at his funeral.

The brothers were separated by their cousin Peter Phillips but he dropped back half a pace at one point so the siblings appeared closer together.

After the funeral service, William and Harry could be seen chatting as they walked back up the hill from the chapel to the castle.

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