Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh emotional over her children as she admits 'I don't think I can talk about it any more'
The duchess recalled the moment her kids stood vigil at Queen Elizabeth II's coffinSophie, Duchess of Edinburgh became emotional in a recent chat as she opened up about her children.
The duchess celebrated her 60th birthday on January 20.
Recently, in the lead-up to her milestone birthday, Sophie opened up during a visit where she reflected on her life within the royal family.
She also opened up about Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, and that’s when she became emotional.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh emotional over children standing vigil at Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin
The late queen died on September 8, 2022. After her death, her coffin lay in state inside Westminster Hall for a couple of weeks before her state funeral on September 19.
During the lying-in-state, all of the queen’s eight grandchildren stood vigil. It saw them stand around the coffin with their heads bowed as members of the public walked through the hall to pay their respects.
It was incredibly moving and I was just so proud of them – all of the cousins.
The queen’s children also did the historic tradition.
Sophie has opened up about watching her children – Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and James, Earl of Wessex, 17, – stand vigil.
Duchess Sophie said Queen Elizabeth II vigil was ‘incredibly moving’
At the time of the vigil, Louise was 18 and James was just 14. The queen’s other grandchildren were Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.
Sophie opened up during a visit to L’Arche – a community in London which provides learning disability support for adults.
The Telegraph reports that Sophie said: “It was incredibly moving and I was just so proud of them – all of the cousins.
“I suppose there was a part of me initially that thought, ‘Would it be appropriate for James, perhaps, to do it?’ because he was younger than the others, but 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.
“But they did it so well, each and every one of them. 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 then became emotional and said “I don’t think I can talk about it any more”.
Duchess of Edinburgh’s birthday plans
January 20 marked Sophie’s big 60th birthday. It’s not known exactly how she would spend the day, but a royal expert recently shared some details on how she could mark the occasion.
Read more: Duchess Sophie on why she and Prince Edward made decision to not give HRH titles to children
Speaking exclusively to Royal Insider on behalf of JeffBet, he said: “I have no doubt that the king will be planning a birthday party for her probably at Clarence House with as many royals there as possible.
“[Prince] Edward will make sure she feels very special and it is a real milestone for her.”
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