James Viscount Severn

[RoachTheHorse]

He looks so so young standing vigil. That must be hard.

"Would the reason William walked ahead of Harry been precedence? I am hoping that they can at least stand beside each other now - obviously they did a few days ago."

William is The Prince of Wales, direct heir to the throne. So of course he's always firs. That's why William was at the "front" of the coffin too.

Didn't you notice, that when William, Harry, Catherine and Meghan got out of the car at the Windsor walkabout, that despite Harry being first out of car and near the man. Harry didn't hold out his hand until William had.
Because William "outranks" Harry in everything

Yes- a son or daughter ( maybe even a grandchild) can wear their parents medals, normally on their right hand breast. This shows that they are wearing the medals on someone’s behalf, and the medals are not theirs.
A recipient of a military or police medal would wear it on their left hand side.

This wasn't attending the funeral though. I'm sure there was no doubt about them doing that - they were at Prince Philip's. It's more about being in such an exposed position, cameras and people focused on them, without parents right there, not being able to get out or hide amongst others if they wanted, strange situations with crowds watching, emotions high for days, uncomfortable clothes and display behaviour over and over again. And for a child who doesn't handle things like that well, this could have been quite a trial I think.

Who were the other people up on the raised area at the side along with Sophie and Edward? I didn't recognise any of them.

@ajandjjmum I remember that being the well-known situation at the time too, because there was also commentary about how unfair it was on William that he was basically only doing it because Harry wanted to. I think Harry's recollection of events has varied over the years.

To do a vigil for their dead grandmother. Millions of people hold vigils for dead people across the world.

As for the public eye, this is the "price" they pay for being Royal. With the great privilege and power comes a public responsibility.

I was thinking the same. This case is different because it's so much in the public eye, but it wouldn't even occur to be that a 14 year old wouldn't attend a grandparent's funeral tbh. I was at a funeral last week where all 16 grandchildren had a role, down to the four year old. Different cultures I guess.

Anyway, all of them did well, and I can understand why in their shoes and in their family they wanted to do this.

Standing for 15 minutes isn't a difficulty for most 14-yr-olds especially if they're accustomed to going to church. My teen is a similar age and he would absolutely have wanted to take part.
James also knew his parents were there to offer support.

This thread is so odd.

He’s 14?!

I have a 13YO who would totally make his own choice about something like this, and, I’m sure, would actively want to do it.

The people who would actively keep teenagers away from funerals and mourning their own grandmother are the weird ones.

I think it’s weird that people are comparing appearing on TV in front of millions with going to a small family funeral 🤷‍♀️

I’m sure Sophie and Edward wouldn’t have for a moment forced him to do anything

I was talking to my DB (who vehemently hates the monarchy) about this and we agreed that when our beloved DGM died when we were young , the thought of standing next to her coffin whilst thousands of people walked past paying their respects because they respected her and she was impactful was actually something we would’ve found comforting, to see how many people loved her

Exactly this. The price they pay for being royals.They accept the royal titles and privileges that come with this- so they also accept that they’re lives are on public display. And they must perform traditional duties.
The vigils are the royals doing their duty. The Queens death isn’t just private to their family- it’s shared with the world.

And for a child who doesn't handle things like that well, this could have been quite a trial I think.

For crying out loud - 14 is not a "child", and presumably if he, or his parents, didn't think he could handle it he wouldn't have been there. Give people some credit to be able to deal with things in their way.

Nonetheless, he’s 14.

Absolutely old enough to know his own mind.

This.

I actually think that my (only just) 15 yr old ds would not have wanted to do this. His 16 yr old brother and older coudins, would have though and that would have left ds15 in a tricky position if he was the only one who didn't want to to. I think my 10 yr old ds probably would have wanted to and if I could have arranged for him to stand right beside his brother and hold his hand I would have let him. I don't know what I would have done with ds15. Would I have tried to persuade him so he didn't look back with regrets that he hadn't done it? Or respect his decision not to?

The creepy marching in formation

should they have just gone at random like an episode of Run Around?

The cameras don't work both ways. He can't see the 'millions' of people watching and I doubt it crossed his mind. For him, he's standing in a church surrounded by his cousins and within sight of his parents.

I feel for Louise actually - she is starting at St. Andrews shortly and before this probably could have done so largely without attention but will be widely recognised now

My father left school and started work at 14 - he should have been 15 to leave, but the schools were closed due to the polio epidemic and he decided there was no point in going back.

Louise was always going to be recognised at St Andrews by the people who care about recognising a Royal. Playing a small part in her gran's funeral won't make any difference to her experience. St Andrews (both the town and the university) are accustomed to high profile students.

My brother and two older sons were going to be pallbearers at my mother's funeral.
It was suggested my BIL would be the 4th but my youngest son, younger than James wanted to do it. The funeral directors said it was OK but the coffin would be on a wheeled thing as he was too young to actually carry it.

He wanted to be with his brothers and I daresay James wanted to be with his sister and cousins. A 14 year old is old enough to make the decisions and his parents have been very protective so I don't think they would allow him to be forced into it.

I imagine it's the greatest honour of his life.

Sure, I don’t particularly have a view on whether he should have done it. Just bemused by people comparing it to their 14yo attending a family funeral.

The cameras don't work both ways. He can't see the 'millions' of people watching

A very helpful clarification for anyone unsure on this point 😭

Exactly- and whilst Sophie looked upset she'll be proud of them both.