Nun says she was ‘overcome with emotion’ after the death of the Queen 

A nun who kissed the hands of the Earl of Wessex and his wife Sophie said she “just had to do it” after being “overcome with emotion”.

In an exclusive conversation with MailOnline, Sister Clare Champion, 59, was joined by three other nuns from her Brigidine convent when they met Edward and Sophie.

They had waited more than three hours outside Cambridge Gate at Windsor Castle to lay flowers and pray for the Queen and were about to leave when they heard the royal couple had arrived.

TV cameras captured the moment when Sister Champion, who has been a nun since she was 20, kissed Edward and Sophie on the hand.

Sister Clare, pictured with the other three nuns, said she was ‘overcome with emotion’ and had to kiss both royals on the hand

She said: ‘I told them both how all the sisters mourned their loss and I thanked them for what the Queen did and what they did.

“I was so overcome with emotion that I had to kiss them both on the hand, I hope they didn’t mind, but they seemed nice people.

“I said we all adored the Queen because she was such a very faithful woman and very wise – none of us could come to London, so we decided to come to Windsor instead.”

The nun, pictured in Edward’s hand, said the royals seemed “dear people” after meeting them today.

Sophie was pictured taking flowers as a tribute to the Queen to place among the sea of ​​others

Sister Champion, who was once held hostage in the Holy Land for two days in 2006, added: “I told Edward and Sophie we were praying for the Queen and her family.

“We had a long conversation and I said that everyone was very grateful for what their mother had done and what her family is doing now.

“I said we feel your loss and he said he and everyone else in the family did too and he said everyone will eventually feel the loss of someone they hold dear.”

She was seen kneeling while looking at other floral tributes and laying down some that had been given to her by members of the public

It comes after Sophie and Edward met crowds in Manchester yesterday.

Sophie met and hugged Josh, a young mourner waiting to see her with his mother, Sue.

Sue talked about the moment they met and said, “She just said ‘nice to meet you, do you want me to bring you flowers?'” Then Josh said “can I have a hug?” They hugged and then he asked for a photo. The bouquet is signed by Josh, but it also has my name on it.’

When asked what the moment felt like, Josh – who is nonverbal – replied, “Happy.”

Referring to the Queen, his mother added: ‘She’s like a grandmother, isn’t she, she’s always been there. We’re going to tell babysitter and aunt Paula [about the experience of meeting Sophie].

In Manchester, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, met Josh, a young mourner who had gathered in Manchester with his mother, Sue.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, hugs young Josh during a visit to Manchester

The Earl and Countess of Wessex watch tribute as they visit Manchester Cathedral, where they lit a candle in memory of Queen Elizabeth II

This is the touching moment when the Earl and Countess of Wessex lit candles in Manchester Cathedral in memory of the Queen

Sophie and Edward also viewed flower arrangements on Sint-Annaplein and a condolence register in the Central Library.

The pair traveled to Manchester a day after paying their respects to the rest of the royal family at Westminster Hall, where the Queen lies in state.

Since the monarch’s death, the public has flocked to the cathedral to sign a register of condolences and light a candle.

The Earl and Countess had been invited by the Dean of Manchester, the Reverend Rogers Govender and the Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, to light a candle each.

They were also shown photos of the Queen’s last visit to the cathedral, on the occasion of the collegiate church’s 600th anniversary in July 2021.