The Grieving Windsors: Royal Family View Floral Tributes in Windsor and Balmoral

September 10, Saturday was filled with emotions for the bereaved family of Queen Elizabeth II and the British citizens. The United Kingdom entered into a 10-day period of mourning. The nation is united in grief as they prepare to bid farewell to their beloved monarch, who stood as the unifying symbol of the nation for 70 years.

Thousands have flocked into the Queen's residences to lay flowers and heartwarming messages. The gates of Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Balmoral Castle have been flooded with beautiful flowers and letters as tributes.

Windsor Castle

For the first time since leaving their senior royal roles, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seen in the company of the newly created Prince and Princess of Wales. The royal brothers and their wives made a walkabout at Windsor Castle's gate to view floral tributes and messages left by the grieving public.

The royal brothers were united in grief

Prince William, now the Prince of Wales, reportedly invited his brother and sister-in-law, to accompany him and his wife, the new Princess of Wales, to walk around the castle's gate to view flowers and messages left by the public. They also greeted and thanked the people who gathered around the castle.

The fab four were seen once again outside the Windsor Castle's gate

Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the newly created Prince and Princess of Wales

It was the first time that they were together in public since the Commonwealth Service in Westminster Abbey in March 2020. The royal brothers reportedly were not on speaking terms since then.

However, the death of their beloved grandmother paved the way for the thawing of frost in their fractured brotherly relationship. And Saturday was the day they have set aside their "rift" to show public unity.

The brothers and their wives viewed floral tributes

In the video clip shared by the press, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were holding hands while standing beside the Prince and Princess of Wales viewing flowers. Prince Harry and Prince William can also be seen chatting along while waving hands to the crowd.

Duke and Duchess of Sussex

The foursome, both in mourning clothes, can be seen stepping out together at the castle's gate, staying around 20 minutes outside the gate, something that delighted bystanders. 

One mourner said: "We couldn't believe it when the gates opened, and we saw William and Harry walk down with Meghan and Kate. I'll be honest there was a little bit of a groan when Harry and Meghan came down our side, but I passed him a bunch of flowers and he was happy to take them. I'm pleased that they came out together and as a family, I'm delighted that they all took the time to come and say hello to the crowds".

The brothers and their wives joined forces to greet bystanders outside Windsor Castle

Prince William also paid tribute to his dear grannie, part of his statement: 

"On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms, and the Commonwealth was absolute. 

"I, however, have lost a grandmother, and while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefits of the Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade.

"She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life.

"I knew this day would come, but it will be sometime before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real".

"I will honor her memory by supporting my father, The King, every way I can".

Balmoral Castle

More subdued scenes were captured in Balmoral estate where the Queen died Thursday afternoon. Her three children - The Duke of York, The Princess Royal, and The Earl of Wessex, led the walkabout of the members of the Queen's family outside the estate's gate to view floral tributes. 

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex

They were followed by the Countess of Wessex, Sir Tim Laurence (husband of Princess Anne), the Queen's grandchildren - Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor.

Lady Louise and Princess Eugenie

From left: Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips, Lady Louise, Zara Tindall, Countess of Wessex, Duke of York, Earl of Wessex, Princess Anne, and Sir Tim Laurence

The family members, obviously convulsed in grief, were emotional as they walked around viewing flowers and reading messages left by the public. The Countess of Wessex and Zara Tindall were seen wiping tears, while Prince Andrew consoled his youngest daughter, Princess Eugenie.

Prince Andrew, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice

The Queen's family viewed floral tribites

Prince Andrew led the royal family during a private church service in Balmoral

Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence

The Duke of York, who is now 8th in the line of succession to the British throne, told the crowd: "we've been allowed a day, now we start the process of handing her on". His words meant that they only have one day to spend privately with the Queen's remains placed in the ballroom of Balmoral Castle.

Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Peter Phillips and Zara

The Duke of York, who is said to be the favorite son of the Queen, led the senior royals as they attended a private ceremony for the Queen in Balmoral. Prince Andrew clasped his hands together before waving and bowing in thanks to those who had gathered outside the castle.

The gesture was welcomed by the crowd who waved back before breaking into a spontaneous round of applause. 

The Duke of York thanked the bystanders

The Countess of Wessex

Prince Andrew was seen waving hands to the crowd

Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Lady Louise, Countess of Wessex, Duke of York

The Queen's funeral schedule

Senior palace officials revealed that Her Majesty's oak coffin, which is lying in the Ballroom at Balmoral Castle, will be taken by road to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on Sunday, September 11, on a six-hour journey by hearse. 

The Queen will then lie in state for four clear days in Westminster Hall from Wednesday, September 14 before the state funeral.

Royal courtiers announced that the Queen's state funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19, 2022, at 11:00 in the morning.