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PRINCE William said walking behind the Queen's coffin brought back heartbreaking memories of doing the same at his mother's funeral in 1997.

The Prince of Wales solemnly marched alongside his brother Harry in the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall yesterday.

William talks to members of the public at Sandringham today
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William talks to members of the public at Sandringham todayCredit: Getty
William and Harry during the procession following the Queen's coffin yesterday
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William and Harry during the procession following the Queen's coffin yesterdayCredit: Reuters
The brothers bowing their heads at their mother's funeral service in 1997
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The brothers bowing their heads at their mother's funeral service in 1997Credit: AFP

It was a haunting echo of Princess Diana's funeral, when the brothers, aged 12 and 15, stood side by side as they followed her casket.

And today, while viewing tributes to his grandmother in Sandringham, Wills, 40, said taking part in the late monarch's cortege brought the pain flooding back.

Jane Wells, who had come to lay flowers at the Norfolk estate, said: "He told us it had been particularly difficult and following the coffin had reminded him of his mother’s funeral, of Diana.

"He said it had been very difficult."

READ MORE ON THE QUEEN'S DEATH

Another crowd member told the emotional Prince she was close to tears, to which he replied: "Don’t cry now - you’ll start me."

And he told a third: "I’m learning that she was everyone’s grandmother - the way people have reacted."

The moving revelation came just minutes before it was announced William will stand together with Harry, 38, behind the Queen's coffin at her funeral on Monday.

He told us it had been particularly difficult and following the coffin had reminded him of his mother’s funeral, of Diana.

Jane Wells

The brothers are set to show another display of unity as they mourn their grandmother, while their wives Kate and Meghan will follow in a car.

Yesterday, they stood side-by-side as they followed the late monarch - and they will unite in similarly solemn scenes for the state funeral on September 19.

After the service, a procession will be led by more than 200 musicians as members of the military line the route.

Royals will follow the gun carriage carrying Her Majesty's coffin in the same formation as yesterday, with Wills and Harry putting on another united front in the sombre march.

It contrasts to the cortege at Prince Philip's funeral last year when Harry and William were separated by cousin Peter Phillips.


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Next week, the Queen's grandsons will follow their father King Charles, who will lead Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward to Wellington Arch from Westminster Abbey.

Meghan, Kate, Sophie Wessex and other royals will follow by car.

The funeral, conducted by the Dean of Westminster, will begin at 11am.

Following several lessons and a sermon by the Archbishop of Canterbury, there will be a two-minute silence, observed nationwide.

The national anthem will follow, bringing the service to an end at midday.

The Queen’s committal service will take place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, at 4pm on Monday.

She will then be buried with the Duke of Edinburgh in a private service at 7.30pm.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

On Saturday, William, 40, and Harry, 38, appeared to put their differences aside after years of speculated rifts.

The pair, accompanied by Kate and Meghan, met mourners and viewed flowers left in memory of the Queen outside Windsor Castle.

William and Harry pictured with Diana in 1995
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William and Harry pictured with Diana in 1995Credit: Getty - Contributor
William and Harry follow Princess Diana's coffin in 1997
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William and Harry follow Princess Diana's coffin in 1997Credit: PA
The Duke of Edinburgh, William, Earl Spencer, Harry and the Prince of Wales follow Diana's coffin
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The Duke of Edinburgh, William, Earl Spencer, Harry and the Prince of Wales follow Diana's coffinCredit: PA
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A sombre Harry and William following their grandmother's coffin
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A sombre Harry and William following their grandmother's coffinCredit: AP
The brothers walked into Westminster Hall with Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle
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The brothers walked into Westminster Hall with Kate Middleton and Meghan MarkleCredit: Getty
The brothers appeared united in grief yesterday
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The brothers appeared united in grief yesterdayCredit: Steve Back
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