The Queen’s four male grandchildren showed off their collection of service medals as they stood guard over Her Majesty’s coffin in Westminster Hall.
Prince William was joined by his brother Prince Harry and their six cousins for the solemn 15-minute vigil on Saturday night.
The brothers, who both wore the uniform of the Blues and Royals, displayed medals commemorating personal military achievements, commitment to public service, and key milestones in the Queen’s extraordinary 70-year reign. Their cousins Peter Phillips, 44, and James, Viscount Severn, 14, had their medals pinned to their suits.
Prince Harry wore (from left) The Afghanistan campaign medal, the 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal, the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Medal, the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Medal. Prince Harry also wears the Neck Order and Star representing his role as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, an honour bestowed by the Queen in recognition of services to the Sovereign
Prince William wore (from left) the 2002 Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the 2012 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 2022 Platinum Jubilee medal. Below is the Garter star, signifying he is a member of the Order of the Garter
The Queen’s eldest grandson, Peter Phillips (left), has not served in the military but wears medals commemorating milestones. Pictured from left: the 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal, the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 2022 Platinum Jubilee medal. Similarly, James, Viscount Severn (right), wears the Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Platinum Jubilee Medal
All four men wore the 2022 Platinum Jubilee medal, which was given to members of the Royal Family to mark Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.
As well as senior royals, recipients included Mike Tindall, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank, who are married to Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, respectively.
Female members of the Royal Family also received the medal, although they have fewer occasions on which to wear them.
Medals have been awarded to mark royal jubilees since the Victorian period when the 50th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign was commemorated in 1887 with a medal.
In recent decades, medals have been issued to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, Golden Jubilee in 2002 and Silver Jubilee in 1977.
Owing to his age, James, Viscount Severn, has the fewest number of medals. He wore the the Platinum and Diamond Jubilee Medals. Peter Phillips also wore them, as well as the Golden Jubilee Medal.
Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Lady Louise Windsor followed in the footsteps of Princess Anne by taking part in a ceremony that has been traditionally reserved for male members of the Royal Family
Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor and Princess Beatrice stood vigil at Westminster Hall on Saturday night
Princess Eugenie joined her sister and cousins at the vigil (left). Right, Prince Harry was permitted to wear military dress
James Viscount Severn, 14, looked sombre as he stood vigil beside his grandmother’s coffin this evening at Westminster Hall
Pictured: Princess Eugenie (back left), Princess Beatrice (back right), James, Viscount Severn (centre left), Lady Louise Windsor (centre right), Peter Phillips (front left) and Zara Tindall (front right)
Princess Eugenie (left) and Zara Tindall (right) looked sombre as they took part in the Vigil of the Princes on Saturday night
Prince William and the Duke of Sussex lead their cousins into Westminster Hall for the vigil on Saturday night
Queen Elizabeth II ‘s grandchildren (clockwise from front centre) the Prince of Wales, Peter Phillips, James, Viscount Severn, Princess Eugenie, the Duke of Sussex, Princess Beatrice, Lady Louise Windsor and Zara Tindall hold a vigil
Prince William’s military service and senior role within the Royal Family is reflected in the medals he wears in addition to the commemorative honours from his grandmother.
On his left breast, underneath his row of medals, is The Garter Star, signifying his membership of the Order of the Garter.
Founded in 1348 by Edward III, the Garter is the senior British order of chivalry awarded by the sovereign for outstanding public service and achievement.
Originally it served the double purpose of bringing together the sovereign and 25 senior knights who were the country’s military leaders as well as establishing a new fellowship in religious worship.
Prince William became a Knight of the Garter in 2008, aged 25. The blue sash worn across his uniform, is known as The Garter Sash, and also reflects his position.
The eight sombre grandchildren arrived at Westminster Hall where they performed a vigil at the Queen’s coffin
Queen Elizabeth’s grandchildren arrived in Westminster just before 6pm where they will hold a 15-minute vigil
Prince William bows his head as he stands beside his grandmother’s coffin in Westminster Hall
The Prince of Wales (right) and the Duke of Sussex before holding a vigil beside the coffin of their grandmother
The Prince of Wales also wears the RAF Pilot Wings above his medal, in recognition of his military career.
His brother, Prince Harry, who was wearing military dress for the first time since 2020. The Duke of Sussex, who was forced to give up his military roles when he stepped down as a working royal, has worn civilian dress throughout the mourning period but is said to have been given special dispensation for tonight by his father.
As well as the Jubilee medals, Prince Harry displayed the Afghanistan Operational Service Medal, which he received in 2008 in recognition of the two tours of Afghanistan he served during his 10 years in the Army. He rose to the rank of Captain.
Harry also wears the KCVO Neck Order and Star. Prince Harry was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 2015. Awards in the Royal Victorian Order are made personally by The Queen, for services to the Sovereign.
The Duke of Sussex also wears the Army Pilot Wings.
Medals are worn on a number of occasions and are specified as part of a dress code. They can be displayed with either military or civilian dress. It is expected they will be worn for the Queen’s funeral on Monday.
The Queen’s eight grandchildren carried out a vigil at her coffin on Saturday evening in the Palace of Westminster
Mourners watched as the vigil was held for the Queen in Westminster Hall by her eight grandchildren on Saturday evening
The Queen’s grandchildren stand in solemn silence as they mount a vigil for their late grandmother in Westminster Hall
The Prince of Wales stands vigil beside the coffin of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, as it lies in state in Westminster Hall
From left, Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor and Princess Beatrice hold a vigil in Westminster Hall, London