Sophie Wessex and Prince Edward greet royal well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace

The Earl and Countess of Wessex surprised benefactors who gathered outside the gates of Buckingham Palace this afternoon – after the beloved couple said the royal family was “overwhelmed by the wave of emotions” after the queen’s death.

Royal fans applauded Sophie and Prince Edward and said ‘sorry for your loss’ as the couple spontaneously walked outside the palace gates this afternoon – shortly after King Charles III and the Prince of Wales encountered mourners queuing along the banks of the Thames to to see the Queen lying in state in the Palace of Westminster.

The Queen’s youngest son was heard asking the mourners where they came from and whether they were on their way to Green Park to lay flowers. He then told them that the Queen would “appreciate” the number of people who paid their respects – while his wife was given bouquets and a hug as she shook hands with the people gathered.

In an emotional statement released last night, just hours before he attended a poignant vigil with his siblings, the King, the Duke of York and the Princess Royal at Westminster Hall, the Earl of Wessex said: ‘As a family we grew up in learning to relate to our parents, especially our beloved mama, share with the nation, its realms and the commonwealth.

“While it was wonderful to have spent time saying goodbye to us in Balmoral in private, now is the time to give others the opportunity to say goodbye.

“We have been overwhelmed by the wave of emotion that has swept over us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect for such a very special and unique person who was always there for us. .

“And now we’re here for her, united in sorrow. Thank you for your support, you have no idea how much it means.

The Queen’s passing has left an unimaginable void in our entire lives. Sophie and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing our James and Louise enjoying the places and activities their grandparents loved so much.

“Since my mom let us spend so much time with her, I think she also enjoyed watching those passions blossom. Those times together, those happy memories, have now become immensely precious to each of us.

“May God bless Her Majesty and may her memory be long cherished, even as the baton she has carried for the past 70 years now passes to the next generation and to my brother, Charles. Long live the king.’

On Thursday, Prince Edward and Countess Sophie greeted mourners in Manchester as thousands paid tribute to the Queen. The day before, the couple was part of the procession that carried the Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.

In Manchester, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, met 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.”

Edward and Sophie, along with their children, Lady Louse and Viscount Severn, paid tribute to the Queen at Westminster Hall earlier this week.

It comes after King Charles and his son Prince William greeted mourners in line for the Queen’s state.

Hundreds of people lined up in Lambeth, south London, cheered and applauded as Charles and William stepped forward on Saturday afternoon, before the pair thanked those waiting to pay their respects to the late monarch at Westminster Hall. One woman expressed her condolences to the king as he shook hands, and another shouted, “I can’t believe this.”

Dozens shouted “hip hip hooray” as Charles and William walked past the line, pausing with each person. Several people called their friends and family on the phone to tell them what they had just seen. Others also shouted “God save the King” and “God save the Prince of Wales” as they passed by.

William was heard talking about how long the people had waited and whether they could keep warm. Several people cried after meeting him, and a woman said to him, “One day you will be a brilliant king.”

Charles left for William, both in cars surrounded by police vehicles.

Meanwhile, the line for the people in state in Southwark Park began to grow, with a steady stream of mourners joining the end of the line.

The sign at the beginning of the line told mourners to wait a minimum of 14 hours, which was generally greeted with relief from well-wishers, with a group cheering as they passed.

It came after the king thanked the aid workers for their work during the mourning period.

Charles met Sir Mark Rowley, the London Police Commissioner and was briefed by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors and Commander Karen Findlay, who lead police operations around London before and during the Queen’s funeral. Home Secretary Suella Braverman and London Mayor Sadiq Khan were also in attendance.

Early this morning, the queue tracker of the Ministry of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports warned people not to travel and stand in the back of the queue. It changed guidance at 8am and said the line had reached Southwark Park with waiting times of ‘at least 24 hours’.

Although it was a very clear morning in central London, temperatures remained cool, especially in the shade, around 12C.

Alfie, 11, from Lancashire, wore his Scout uniform, complete with Platinum Jubilee badge, to line up for the rigged.

His grandmother, Karen Todd, said, “Alfie really wanted to pay his respects to the Queen and he wanted to come in his Scout uniform to honor her. And we came because it is a momentous occasion and a moment in history. They will always remember this for the rest of their lives, so we only have this one chance.”

Later, the Queen’s grandchildren will keep watch around her coffin. William will be joined by his brother the Duke of Sussex in uniform at Westminster Hall.

Harry, who saw action on the front lines during two missions in Afghanistan, has previously been denied the chance to wear his military uniform while mourning publicly because he is no longer a working royal. But royal sources say the king has decided that his youngest son may wear a uniform at the wake, and says he will stand at the foot of the coffin, with William at the head.

William will be flanked by his cousins ​​Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, while Harry will be with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, with Lady Louise Windsor and her brother Viscount Severn in the center of the coffin.

Last night the Queen’s children – Charles, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex – took part in their own wake.

It comes as final preparations are made for Monday’s funeral, with politicians and royal dignitaries from around the world expected to arrive over the weekend.

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