Prince William And Kate Meet Soldiers Deployed To U.K. For Queen’s Funeral
Prince William and Kate Middleton have met with Commonwealth troops to extend their gratitude to the forces deployed to the UK to take part in the Queen’s funeral.
“Soldiers from Canada, Australia and New Zealand have gathered at Pirbright to rehearse their roles in the ceremony,” reads a statement from Kensington Palace, referring the Pirbright military training center, which is located about an hour outside of London.
500 members of the military will accompany the Queen’s coffin on Wednesday afternoon from Buckingham Palace down the Mall to Westminster Hall, while Monday’s funeral parade will be the largest of its kind in living memory, featuring 4500 members of the military alone.
“The Prince and Princess will meet with senior representatives of the defense staff and servicepeople from each nation to thank them all for the part they are playing in marking the death of Her Majesty The Queen.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton were confirmed to have officially inherited the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales, titles traditionally held by the heir, in King Charles III’s first speech as monarch.
“As my Heir, William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me. He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes on the responsibilities for the Duchy of Cornwall which I have undertaken for more than five decades,” said His Majesty the King.
“Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, TywysogCymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty,” the new sovereign added.
“With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the center ground where vital help can be given.”
The royal couple’s first outing as the new Prince and Princess of Wales was on Thursday in Sandringham, touring the 30,000 flower bouquets, balloons, notes and other tributes left there by the Queen’s loyal subjects in the week following her passing.