The Princess of Wales showcased her empathy today as she engaged in heartfelt conversations with somber dignitaries from the Commonwealth during a special luncheon at Buckingham Palace.
Accompanied by the new King, Queen Consort, Prince of Wales, Earl of Wessex, and Princess Royal, the event served as a prelude to the much-anticipated Reception of the Century scheduled for tomorrow.
This grand gathering will witness the presence of 500 world leaders, presidents, and royalty, converging at the palace to honor the Queen in anticipation of her historic state funeral on Monday.
Kate, elegantly attired in a black ankle-length dress with her hair cascading down, exchanged smiles with Camilla, who held a drink adorned with a slice of lemon, as they engaged in conversation.
Notably, the Princess, bedecked in a long three-strand pearl necklace and matching bracelet, tenderly placed her hand on the arm of St Lucia Governor-General Cyril Errol Milchietti’s Charles during their interaction.
The Queen’s youngest son, Edward, took the opportunity to interact with mourners, inquiring about their origins and whether they were en route to Green Park.
Edward expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, remarking, “I know that my mother would truly appreciate this fantastic show of solidarity.”
Meanwhile, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, received bouquets and a stuffed toy, pausing to admire a young girl’s T-shirt adorned with photos of the Queen spanning the decades of her reign.
Alongside the Earl of Wessex, Sophie engaged with members of the public standing behind barriers on the periphery of Green Park.
Prior to this, Charles and his son William pleasantly surprised numerous mourners gathered to pay their respects to the Queen lying in state by embarking on an impromptu walkabout.
They extended their gratitude to emergency service personnel for their dedicated efforts during the mourning period leading up to the state funeral on Monday.
The new monarch of Britain and the Prince of Wales warmly greeted devoted royal enthusiasts enduring lengthy queues, some spanning 14 hours, to catch a glimpse of the Queen’s coffin at the Palace of Westminster.
Emanating cheers and applause from the crowd lining the South Bank near Lambeth, South London, Charles and William were met with enthusiastic shouts of “hip-hip-hooray” and “God save the King” as they passed by.
Amidst the excitement, individuals eagerly snapped photographs and pressed against the metal barriers, eager to exchange words with the King and the heir to the throne as they extended handshakes to those in close proximity.
Expressing heartfelt sentiments, one lady conveyed her condolences to Charles, while another exclaimed, “I can’t believe this,” and a third presented the royals with a Paddington bear toy in reference to the Queen’s jubilee sketch with the beloved children’s character.
As Charles interacted with mourners, he acknowledged the significance of their presence, stating, “It means an awful lot you’re here.
She, the Queen, would never believe this.
You’ll make some friends for life, those who have met in the crowd.”
William, sharing a glimpse into his personal emotions, mentioned that his wife Kate Middleton and their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, were coping well despite their shared sense of loss.
Touched by the encounters, several individuals shed tears after meeting the Prince of Wales, with one woman expressing her confidence in his future role as King.
Following their interactions, Charles departed before William, both escorted by police vehicles.
Earlier in the day, the royals engaged with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Home Secretary Suella Braverman, and London’s Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley at Scotland Yard’s special operations.
During their visit, the King extended his appreciation to the police personnel for their meticulous planning and execution of security measures leading up to the Queen’s funeral.
Concluding his tour of the home nations, the King commenced his day with a visit to Wales, following recent visits to Northern Ireland and Scotland.
As final preparations unfold for the upcoming funeral in two days, anticipation mounts as 2,000 VIPs, including world leaders Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron, Jacinda Ardern, and various royals, are expected to arrive on Thursday.
The King and his family are set to arrive over the weekend, following a poignant silent vigil held by the King and his siblings in Westminster Hall to honor their beloved mother.
