The Duchess of Edinburgh has spoken about Lady Louise’s role at the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
Sophie, 60, revealed that she was “slightly holding my breath” during the vigil her two children participated in at Westminster Hall, in which they stood watching over the coffin of their grandmother.
The duchess has two children, Lady Louise, 21, and James Earl of Wessex, 17.
The royal described the occasion as “incredibly moving” during an interview with the Telegraph to make her 60th birthday on January 20.
The Duchess of Edinburgh has commented on Lady Louise’s role at the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
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Sophie added that she felt “just so proud of them” – not only James and Lady Louise Windsor but “all of the cousins,” including Prince William and Prince Harry.
James was eager to participate despite being younger than his cousins, leading Sophie to question whether it was “appropriate”, the royal recalled.
She said: “He was really keen to do it.
“And I think it was really important for him to do it, and obviously for Louise as well.”
Lady Louise and James are the children of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh
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She added: “I was slightly holding my breath, wanting them to feel that they’d done it well more than anything else.
“I wasn’t worried about anything happening; it was more that I wanted them to feel that they’d done their bit for their grandmother.”
Sophie continued: “It was incredibly moving, and lovely to see her surrounded by them.”
Lady Louise and James were kept out the spotlight during their childhood.
Lady Louise and James held a vigil in honour of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall
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Although Lady Louise is the older sibling, James inherited the title of Viscount Severn due to an ancient law that grants titles to the eldest male heir.
Louise holds the courtesy title of Lady rather than Viscountess.
When Prince Edward became Duke of Edinburgh in May 2023, James’s title changed to Earl of Wessex.
Neither Lady Louise nor James have HRH titles, which was a decision made by their parents to enable them to lead more normal lives with the potential to work for a living.
