Queen Elizabeth’s grandchildren hold silent vigil around coffin, as Joe Biden, world leaders arrive for funeral

Queen Elizabeth’s grandchildren, aged from 44 to 14, stood silently with their eyes lowered around her coffin

Vigil came hours after King Charles and his heir William staged an unscheduled walkabout to thank those queuing overnight to pay their last respects

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Queen Elizabeth II ‘s grandchildren Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales (L) and Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (R) hold a vigil at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall on Saturday. Photo: Pool/AFP

Published: 9:45am, 18 Sep 2022Updated: 3:22pm, 18 Sep 2022

Queen Elizabeth’s eight grandchildren mounted a vigil around her coffin on Saturday as US President Joe Biden flew in ahead of the state funeral being planned for Britain’s longest-serving monarch.

King Charles’ sons Prince William and his brother Prince Harry stood guard around the crowned casket in London’s Westminster Hall as members of the public, who had waited several hours to file past the catafalque, paid their last respects.

Queen Elizabeth’s grandchildren, aged from 44 to 14, stood silently with their eyes lowered.

Harry – who did two tours with the British Army in Afghanistan – wore the uniform of the Blues and Royals cavalry regiment in which he served.

The move appeared to be the latest olive branch offered by King Charles towards his youngest son after Harry and his wife Meghan, now living in California, accused the royal family of racism.

Queen Elizabeth’s grandchildren James, Viscount Severn, Peter Phillips, the Prince of Wales, Zara Tindall and Lady Louise Windsor depart after holding a vigil beside the coffin of their grandmother as it lies in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster. Photo: dpa

No longer a working royal, Harry, 38, was stripped of his higher-ranking honorary military titles. The vigil will be the only time he will be seen in military dress at royal ceremonial occasions.