Princess Anne says she ‘was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother’s life’ and insists ‘it has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys’
- Princess Anne has released an official statement following death of the Queen
- The 72-year-old confirmed she was with her mother during her last 24 hours
- Said travelling with her mother’s coffin from Scotland to London was an ‘honour’
- Added she’s ‘grateful for the support and understanding offered’ to King Charles
- Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing
The Princess Royal has paid tribute to her mother and said it had been ‘an honour and a privilege’ to accompany the Queen on her final journeys as she travelled with the monarch’s coffin back to London.
Princess Anne, the late monarch’s only daughter, told how she was ‘fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother’s life’.
She said the love and respect shown to the Queen on her journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh and onto London had been ‘both humbling and uplifting’.
Anne also thanked the nation for the ‘support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles’ as he takes on his duties as King.
She ended her statement with the words: ‘To my mother, The Queen, thank you.’
The Princess Royal (pictured) has paid tribute to her mother and said it had been ‘an honour and a privilege’ to accompany the Queen on her final journeys as she travelled with the monarch’s coffin back to London
Princess Anne (pictured today with the Queen’s coffin), the late monarch’s only daughter, told how she was ‘fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother’s life’
Statement: Princess Anne released this statement (pictured) today. She offered her ‘thanks to each and every one who share our sense of loss’
The princess was in Scotland when the Queen was taken ill, and stayed at her bedside at Balmoral Castle, as senior royals rushed to say their final farewells.
Elizabeth II – the nation’s longest reigning monarch – died peacefully on Thursday September 8.
Anne has taken on the duty of accompanying her mother’s body back to London, with the Queen leaving Scotland for the last time bound for RAF Northolt on Tuesday.
The Queen’s oak coffin, accompanied by Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, travelled to Buckingham Palace where King Charles III, the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be waiting to receive it.
Anne (pictured at RAF Northolt in London) also thanked the nation for the ‘support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles’ as he takes on his duties as King
The royal (pictured with Timothy Laurence, left) was by her mother’s side throughout the last 24-hours of the monarch’s life, and today travelled with her casket from Scotland to London
Also there will be the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank, Zara and Mike Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn, and Princess Margaret’s children Lady Sarah Chatto and Earl Snowdon.
Anne’s full statement said: ‘I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother’s life. It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys.
‘Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting.
‘We will all share unique memories. I offer my thanks to each and every one who share our sense of loss.
The Princess Royal watches as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is taken to a hearse as it departs St Giles’ Cathedral
Princess Anne, Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence watch as pallbearers carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from St Giles’ Cathedral
The bearer party carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II to a hearse as they prepare to depart from St Giles Cathedral
Princess Anne and her husband Sir Tim Laurence arrive at St Giles’ Cathedral
‘We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted.
‘I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of the monarch. To my mother, The Queen, thank you.’
The princess, who was with her mother leading up to her death, has also been beside her in the days since she died.
Last night, Anne made history when she became the first royal woman to take part in the ‘Vigil of Princes’ – standing vigil by her mother’s coffin alongside her brothers King Charles, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.
During the 20-minute vigil at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, Princess Anne, who wore her navy ceremonial uniform, kept her eyes fixed towards the floor.
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