Queen Elizabeth II 's grandchildren holding vigil around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown in Westminster Hall. Photo: AFP/Aron Chown
The Queen's eight grandchildren have held a vigil at the coffin of their grandmother, and a haka by New Zealand Defence Forces troops has stirred social media.
Princes William and Harry stood vigil at either end of Queen Elizabeth's coffin on Sunday morning NZ time (Saturday evening UK time), as a line of mourners streamed past the late monarch coffin as she lies in state.
William, now the heir to the throne, stood, his head bowed, at the head of the coffin and Harry at the foot. Both princes, who are military veterans, were in uniform.
They were joined by their six cousins, Prince Andrew's daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Princess Anne's children Zara Tindall and Peter Philips and Prince Edward's children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
The Queen’s grandchildren hold a Vigil beside Her Majesty’s coffin at Westminster Hall. pic.twitter.com/lChZW6OdIP
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 17, 2022
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie earlier paid tribute to Britain's longest-reigning monarch, saying:
"You were our matriarch, our guide, our loving hand on our backs leading us through this world.
"You taught us so much and we will cherish those lessons and memories forever. For now dear grannie, all we want to say is thank you."
RNZ's Corin Dann is at the Hall and has witnessed mourners become emotional at saying their brief goodbyes to the Queen.
He told Sunday Morning the people waiting for up to 15 hours are doing it through a sense of duty.
PM Jacinda Ardern her partner Clarke Gayford walk in London during a day of meetings for Ardern. Photo: RNZ/ Nick Monro
"You can't deny the British people, and how much it means to them to be a part of this, and that's what's so striking about talking to people in the queue - they don't care that it's that long, they want to queue, they want to be there doing the long bit, because that's the story, the journey, the thing that they'll tell their grandkids about."
Overnight, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met with King Charles briefly, as well as talking with UK Prime Minister Liz Truss about the war in Ukraine and New Zealand's free trade agreement with the UK.
Social media reacts to NZ Defence Force haka for Prince William and Kate
New Zealand Defence Force troops performed a haka for Prince William and Princess Catherine Photo: Pool footage
New Zealand Defence Force personnel hosted the Prince and Princess of Wales in London, ahead of the Queen's funeral, performing an up-close haka for the royals.
More than 30 personnel arrived on Tuesday to begin preparations for the funeral procession tomorrow, where they will be on display alongside their Canadian, Australian and British counterparts.
Contingent Leader Lieutenant Colonel Dean Gerling said the online response to their poignant haka at the conclusion of the visit was a surprise.
"The team are over-awed by the response they've got from back home and all around the world from what's been put on social media.
"There's a bit of ribbing going on amongst the contingent about the new Facebook stars, but we're keeping that all in check."
all in check."
He said it was a privilege to be in London for such a monumental event and all attention is focused on the events on Monday, with early morning rehearsals most days.
Photo: Pool footage
-RNZ/ABC
