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Kate Middleton’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton arrived at Westminster Abbey today to pay their respects to the Queen.
Carole and Mike, who are known to be close to the Princess of Wales, opted for a smart black mourning dress and seemed deep in thought when they arrived for the event in London today.
It is unknown how often Carole and Michael met the Queen, although they often attended family events, such as Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s christening, with each other.
The Middletons, who live in Berkshire, will be happy to support the Princess of Wales and their grandchildren, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, as they attend the Queen’s funeral today.
The Prince and Princess of Wales only recently moved closer to Kate’s parents when they moved into Adelaide Cottage late last month.
Kate Middleton’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton arrived at Westminster Abbey today to pay their respects to the Queen
Carole and Mike, who are known to be close to the Princess of Wales, opted for a smart black mourning dress and appeared deep in thought as they arrived for the London event today
It has been an extremely busy period for Carole and Michael’s daughter Kate, who has publicly supported her husband, Prince William, and undoubtedly helped her children adjust to life without their Gan-Gan.
The death of their great-grandmother the Queen will be a heavy blow to Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and four-year-old Prince Louis, as they and their parents begin a new life in Adelaide Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle – where Her Majesty spent most of the year.
Carole and Michael will likely provide a stabilizing presence for the family during the period of change.
Kate is known to be close to her parents and siblings, while royal experts have previously said Carole has acted as a ‘second mother’ to William, teaching him ‘how a loving and supportive family works’.
Carole has brought a ‘real sense of normalcy amid any chaos’ for the Duke of Cambridge since he married Kate in 2011, royal biographer Angela Levin previously told The Sun.
It’s been an extremely busy period for Carole and Michael, who have likely supported daughter Kate and no doubt helped her kids adjust to life without their Gan-Gan.
The Princess of Wales’ parents arrived side by side at Westminster Abbey this morning for her state funeral this morning
The 66-year-old founder of party favors company Party Pieces is said to have acted as a second mother to Prince William, while his brother Prince Harry “didn’t have that parental opportunity,” the author claimed.
Angela claimed that while the Duke of Cambridge adored his late mother, who died aged 36 in a car accident in Paris in 1997 when William was 15 and Harry 12, she was “relentlessly demanding” of him.
But as an adult, he is accepted and supported by his mother-in-law, and the couple have become very close since he started dating Kate in college.
Angela said: ‘William adored Diana and was attracted to her magnetic charm, but she ruthlessly demanded of him as a young child, describing him as her ‘closest confidante’ and speaking of her lovers, when it is a mother’s duty to take care of her. son, not the other way around.
‘[Carole] made him feel safe, comfortable and protected and he didn’t have to worry about what he said or be responsible for her emotions.”
The author added that the Prince learned how a “loving and supportive family works” through Kate’s household.
The Middletons, who live in Berkshire, will be happy to support the Princess of Wales and their grandchildren, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, as they attend the Queen’s funeral today
It is not known how often Carole and Michael met the Queen, although they often attended family events, such as Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s christening.
Prince William and Kate saw the Berkshire businesswoman as a “stabilizing and supportive force,” royal author Phil Dampier told The Sun.
Meanwhile, another source told the publication that Prince William considers his mother-in-law to be his “second mother” in Princess Diana’s absence.
Their presence today comes after the Duchess’ brother, James, paid tribute to the monarch as “the epitome of steady grace, determination and reassurance.”
Earlier this week, her brother James posted a tribute to the Queen, writing: “Queen Elizabeth II, the epitome of steady grace, determination and reassurance.
‘Our constant in a world of change. Thank you for a lifetime of service and leadership.”
Dignitaries from the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand and Canada, will mourn alongside the Firm today, as will monarchs from across Europe and the world.
The Queen’s state funeral will end today with a two-minute national silence as a “appropriate tribute to an extraordinary reign” before she is buried next to her late husband.
Police also received a no-fly zone order over London today, following 10 days of mourning.
In addition to thousands of uniformed Metropolitan Police forces springing into action, plainclothes officers will also mingle with the crowd to keep an eye out for any threats.
It is expected that other troops will be asked to supply officers under ‘mutual aid’.
The Queen’s Coffin will be carried from Westminster Hall to the State Gun Carriage today and then placed outside the North Door of the building.
The procession then heads from New Palace Yard through Parliament Square, Broad Sanctuary and the Sanctuary before arriving at Westminster Abbey just before 11am.
Carole and Michael seemed to be deep in thought as they arrived side by side at the funeral today
Carole opted for a smart black outfit for the occasion and as an accessory with a pearl necklace as an apparent tribute to the Queen
After the state funeral ends around noon, the coffin is placed on the state gun carriage outside the abbey.
At 12:15 PM the procession leaves for Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner.
The route goes from the Abbey via Broad Sanctuary, Parliament Square (south and east sides), Parliament Street, Whitehall, Horse Guards including Horse Guards Arch, Horse Guards Road, The Mall, Queen’s Gardens (south and west sides), Constitution Hill and Apsley Way
At Wellington Arch, the Queen’s casket will be transferred from the State Gun Carriage to the State Hearse just after 1:00 PM, prior to the journey to Windsor.
It then travels from central London to Windsor, on a route not disclosed by the palace. When the hearse arrives in Windsor, the procession begins just after 3pm at Shaw Farm Gate on Albert Road.
The state hearse will join the procession, which will be formed and in position, at Shaw Farm Gate before traveling to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
The procession follows the route of Albert Road, Long Walk, Cambridge Gate, Cambridge Drive, George IV Gate, Quadrangle (south and west sides), Engine Court, Norman Arch, Chapel Hill, Parade Ground and Horseshoe Cloister Arch.
Just before 4pm, the procession stops at the foot of the West Steps of St George’s Chapel in Horseshoe Cloister. Here the bearer carries the coffin in procession up the steps to the chapel.
The Queen will be buried at 7:30 p.m. in a private funeral at the King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.