James Viscount Severn

[RoachTheHorse]

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

I am giving them credit. I think he would find it a real trial, but he chose to do it, and I think that was really brave. Acknowledging someone's effort doesn't mean I think it shouldn't have happened. It's people saying "oh it's nothing, my four year old takes part in funerals" that I was directing the comments to.
Yes clearly it was decided that it was ok for him to take part, and his parents agreed and were there to support him. It's still potentially an ordeal for him. Not participating might also have led to regrets and pain, so he might well have decided he really did want to take part, and I think that takes guts.

The marching was just unnecessary. Going up/down the stairs one at a time, all in sync. Walking in twos or alone. All in military step.
They are not armed guards. They could have just walked normally as a group of cousins and taken their place on the stand.

It's his granny just like any other kid whose granny dies and he is entitled to want to be involved. Being royal might affect many parts of his life but being able to be part of saying goodbye to his granny is not something he should have to sacrifice because people who aren't involved have an opinion about it.

The vigil was apparently 15 minutes. At 14, I would have happily stood by my granny's grave for hours if I thought it would have been her wish. And his parents were there to support him. It's fine and it is also fine for them all to look sad. I hate the monarchical stoicism thing. It is okay to not be okay and for a teenager to stand for 15 minutes to say goodbye to his nan.

I think some of the posters who have a problem just aren't accustomed to services or to events in Churches. It's really common to walk in pairs, to match your gait, to be respectful, to turn in a certain direction, etc. The schools that the Royal grandchildren attend will have taught all of them how to behave in these situations. It will be second nature to them.
It's quite sad to see that people have no understanding of the customs around such events so assume everyone else is unprepared or awkward.

Very well said.

I remember that being reported at the time.

She started 2 weeks ago, and was collected from Fresher's week when her grandmother died.

There is nothing wrong with it being quite a trial though. Some people seem to be insinuating that something being hard is a bad thing. He will grow up knowing that he stood vigil for his Grandmother in front of millions of people, that he honoured his Grandmother, that at 14 he had the strength to do that and isn't that great? That's how we grow.

I was a 14 year old that lost a grandparent through suicide, it was sudden and shocking and so much to process, it was hard. Seeing him in an open coffin was hard. Shaking hands with everyone in the parish was hard, standing there knowing everyone was gossiping about how my grandad had died when my heart was broken and i didn't understand why this had happened was hard. It was hard but I did it and it has formed part of who I am.

He wasn't just thrust up there out of no where he will have grown up knowing he is a royal, knowing that Grannie is the queen and what that means. He was surrounded by family that loves and supports him and he did his Grandmother proud.

Classes stared Monday this week. She would have probably been enjoying Freshers week when the Queen became ill.

Excellent post

It's probably wrong isn't it? After seeing the damage done to Harry and thinking about my own son at 14 it's way too much. He's probably never even been to a funeral before and he's put out there in the eye of the world.

This whole spectacle is designed to get the public to support the perpetuation of the monarchy and the next generations. It's not what anyone would choose to do to honour and mourn a loved one.

He went to his Grandfather's funeral last year, which was televised.

Really? Of course he's been to funerals before. He's almost 15, not 5. Give a young man credit - or is this just republican sniping?

He's 14, not a baby. I think that nowadays teenagers tend to be infantilised to a ridiculous extent. And why do people think it is so difficult to stand still for a short amount of time?

Teenagers are very strong and resilient at times, surprisingly so. We don't see it so much as formal education goes on now for loads of people well into their early 20s. My father left school before his 15th birthday and straight into employment at a funeral director's, he coped just fine!

I have also read that it was absolutely their choice to do the walk.

He looked so young and reminded me of Harry when he followed his Mum. I watched it with my 12 year old and he said I would do it. I think it is a lovely idea and he is with his cousins. So I think children think differently. He was not alone. He did a marvellous job.

My just 14 year old would absolutely have done this, do not underestimate the strength of teenagers when doing things that are important to them or to support the people they care about.

Isn't he autistic? I remember he had a hard time at a wedding (Harry's?) because the crowd was cheering. So standing there in a quiet hall with no flashing cameras is probably easier.

I am in my late 50's and am certainly not an hysterical figure in any way. The death of Diana in the way and form was so shocking that the major quasi-state funeral was essential for the British public to come to terms with their grief, loss, shock & mourning. The Royal Family needed to be seen. I am surprised that W & H don't understand this as more mature adults. Even if they didn't as teenagers.

So who ever decided that W & H should walk behind their mother's coffin (be it PP or Tony Blair) was right.

So if Viscount Severn wants to publically stand with his cousins (other grandchildren) then that is OK. (But well done Mum and dad for being there - I too would be nervous, who wouldnt be?)

Very brave and mature young lad. Both he and his sister are a credit to their parents.

To clarify is probably easier from a sensory viewpoint. Not emotionally.

A "well said" from me as well.

All of the grandchildren wanted to do this for their granny, including James. I thought they were all very brave and it was incredibly moving.