Prince William and Kate Middleton Meet Commonwealth Troops Taking Part in the Queen's Funeral

Since the Queen’s death was announced, the new Prince and Princess of Wales have viewed floral tributes in Windsor and at Sandringham as well as attending a moving service ahead of the Queen’s Lying in State. And today, they arrived at the Army Training Centre in the village of Pirbright to meet with Commonwealth troops deployed to the UK for Monday’s State Funeral.

The royal couple arrived at the centre, which is about 30 miles west of London, at about 3:30 p.m. UK time to meet with some of the troops. Soldiers from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have gathered at Pirbright to rehearse their roles in the ceremony, and William and Kate were there to thank them for the part they are playing in the Queen’s funeral.

The visit came as it was announced that approximately 6,000 service personnel from all three branches of the Armed Forces and from across the Commonwealth will be involved in the processions before and after Monday’s funeral. The Queen’s coffin will be pulled on the State Ceremonial Gun Carriage by members of the Royal Navy, a tradition since the 1901 funeral of Queen Victoria. Royal Canadian Mounted Police—or “Mounties” as they are known—will lead the procession through London after the service from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch.

Meanwhile today, the King and Queen Consort visited Wales, the final stop on their tour of the United Kingdom since he took to the throne. They attended a service of prayer and reflection at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff before receiving a motion of condolences at Welsh Parliament, the Senedd, then meeting members of the public at Cardiff Castle. Just as Queen Elizabeth was the longest-serving British monarch, Charles was the longest-serving Prince of Wales, a title he was given aged nine in 1958.

Tomorrow, Prince William will be joined by his brother Harry and their six cousins as the Queen’s eight grandchildren out a vigil around her coffin. William will be at the head with Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, while Harry will be at the foot of the coffin alongside Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Lady Louise and her brother James, Viscount Severn, will be either side of the middle of the coffin. Prince Harry, who lost his honorary military positions after stepping back as a working royal, will wear military uniform for this one event but will be in morning dress for the funeral.

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