Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Charles in 1997.Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library
The Crownreturned to Netflix with the first part of its sixth and final season on Thursday.
The image of the two young royals walking behind Princess Diana’s coffin became a lasting one for those who lived through it. And for both Prince William and Prince Harry, it’s been something that they have since reflected on.
Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Earl Spencer, Prince William and Prince Philip in 1997.JEFF J MITCHELL/AFP/Getty
JEFF J MITCHELL/AFP/Getty
Both brothers confirmed in BBC’s 2017 documentaryDiana, 7 Daysthatit was a “group decision” for them to join, with Prince William saying, “It wasn’t an easy decision, and it was a collective family decision to do that.”
Spencer was against the idea, telling PEOPLE and 2017’sThe Story of Dianathat he didn’t believe that “tiny” Harry should havemade the grueling journey. “I was just so worried — what a trauma for a little chap to walk behind his mum’s body,” Charles, 9th Earl Spencer, said. “It’s just awful. And, actually, I tried to stop that happening, to be honest.”
In his 2023 memoir,Spare, the Duke of Sussex wrote decision for them to walkthat day, revealing that “several adults were aghast” and that “mummy’s brother, Uncle Charles, raised hell. ‘You can’t make these boys walk behind their mother’s coffin! It’s barbaric.’ "
Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Charles Spencer.Getty Images
Getty Images
Prince Harry then revealed an “alternative plan” for Prince William to walk alone was pitched before being shut down. “Back came the answer. It must be both princes,” he wrote, adding that “I didn’t want Willy to undergo an ordeal like that without me. Had the roles been reversed, he’d never have wanted me - indeed, allowed me - to go it alone.”
“But before I knew it, I found myself with a suit on with a black tie and a white shirt, I think, and I was part of it,” Harry recalled in the 2017 documentary. “Genuinely, I don’t have an opinion on whether that was right or wrong. I am glad I was part of it. Looking back on it now, I am very glad I was part of it.”
Prince William also described hiding behind his blond bangs, calling them “my safety blanket.”
Looking back inSpare, Prince Harry said he felt “numb” during the walk but getting strength from his brother, who he kept in sight despite keeping his eyes on the ground.
“Most of all I remember the sounds, the clicking bridles and clipping hooves of the six sweaty brown horses, the squeaking wheels of the gun carriage they were hauling,” he wrote. “I believe I’ll remember those few sounds for the rest of my life, because they were such a sharp contrast to the otherwise all-encompassing silence.”
Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997.STR/AFP via Getty
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Prince William and Prince Harry in 2022.Justin Setterfield/Getty
Twenty-five years later, on Sept. 19, 2022, the brothers found themselves in a similar situation asthey walked behind the coffinof their grandmother,Queen Elizabeth, who died at the age of 96 on Sept. 8.
Days later, the Prince of Wales and his wife,Kate Middleton, the new Princess of Wales, connected with the crowd during a walkabout in Sandringham. There, William revealed that the late Queen’s ceremonial processionreminded him of the same ritualfollowing the death of his mother.
A mourner in the crowd said Prince William spoke of how “difficult” it had been. “He said how difficult it was yesterday and how it reminded him of his mum’s funeral,” said mourner Jane Wells,The Telegraphreported. “Catherine said it’s just been such a difficult time for all of them, for the whole family.”
source: people.com
