Princes William, Harry stand vigil over Queen's casket during ceremony

Sept. 17 (UPI) -- The grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II, including Princes William and Harry, stood vigil at her casket in a ceremony honoring the late British ruler during her lying in state Saturday in London.

The brothers stood guard for 15 minutes while joined by the six of their cousins. They included Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, the children of Princess Anne; Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the daughters of Prince Andrew; and Lady Louise and Viscount Severn, the children of Prince Edward.

Prince Harry wore a military uniform during the event for the first time since 2020 at the request of his father, King Charles III, the BBC reported. Harry had been seen only in civilian clothes at public events since the queen's death.

Experts said Saturday's vigil was the first time in British history that the grandchildren of a monarch have taken part in a lying-in-state ceremony. It came a day after Queen Elizabeth's sons and daughters, led by Charles, performed similar duties in the lead-up to the Queen's state funeral on Monday.

Earlier Saturday, Charles and William greeted people who endured cold overnight temperatures while waiting in line to view the the casket of the long-serving monarch.

They met with members of the British public waiting in the miles-long line at the Albert Embankment on the south side of the Thames River near Lambeth Bridge, shaking hands accepting condolences from them.

Some visitors shouted "God save the King" as Charles moved down the line of mourners while William issued apologies for the wait as the public continued to file past the Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall, The Guardian reported.

A video clip posted by the BBC on Twitter showed Charles and William shaking hands as spontaneous cheers issued from the those waiting to pay their respects.

British officials on Saturday estimated the wait time had risen to 16 hours, with end of the line forming in Southwark Park, about five miles east of Westminster Hall.

King Charles had a busy day on Saturday, including meetings with the nation's top military commanders at Buckingham Palace followed by a reception for the Governors General of the British Commonwealth.

Later in the afternoon he received prime ministers from the Commonwealth nations, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern.