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The Princess of Wales revealed during a special meeting with well-wishers outside Windsor Castle on Saturday that her youngest son, Prince Louis, had offered her words of comfort following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96.
Kate, formerly Duchess of Cambridge and now the Princess of Wales, appeared at the castle's long-walk on Saturday evening U.K. time to view the floral tributes left by members of the public. This drew considerable attention when the princess unexpectedly appeared with Prince William alongside her in-laws Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The event marked the first time the two couples had been photographed together since the Sussexes last public engagement as working royals in 2020 before they moved to the U.S.
After arriving together by car with William driving, and viewing the floral tributes as a foursome, the couples split to walk either side of the castle's long-walk which was banked by well-wishers.
Video footage recorded by a member of the public during this time, viewed over a million times on social media, has shown Kate reveal the touching words of comfort offered to her by Louis, 4, in response to the queen's death.
"The whole nation's having to be brave aren't they?" she said to one mourner. "Don't worry I have plenty of moments like this too.
"My little Louis, he's so sweet. He said: 'Mommy don't worry because she's now with great-grandpa."
The reference to the young prince's great-grandfather comes after the death of Prince Philip, the queen's husband of 73 years, in April 2021.
"This just shows you," she said, referencing the large crowds. "Just how special she was to everybody, all generations...thank you for coming to pay your respects."
Prince Louis shared a series of special moments with his great-grandmother the queen earlier this year which went viral during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
At a balcony appearance after the Trooping the Colour parade marking the monarch's 70th year on the throne, the queen and members of her family watched a flypast from the Royal Air Force.
Throughout this appearance, the young prince shared snatches of conversation with the queen resulting in a number of heartwarming images with one of her youngest great-grandchildren.
William paid a personal tribute to his grandmother on Saturday in a statement released a short time before he met crowds outside Windsor Castle.
"On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign," it read.
"I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade."
The new Prince of Wales also voiced his gratitude that his wife and children, Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Louis had all enjoyed the privilege of getting to know her.
"My wife has had 20 years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives," his statement continued.
"She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real."
The official program of events taking place in the lead up to the queen's state funeral was released by Buckingham Palace on Saturday following the official accession council and proclamation of King Charles III.
The plans include the queen's body being moved from Balmoral Castle where she died on Thursday to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on Sunday, before being moved to St Giles Cathedral on Monday where the people of Scotland will be able to pay their respects.
The late-queen's body will then be flown from Scotland to London on Tuesday where, after spending the evening at Buckingham Palace, will be transferred to Westminster Hall on Wednesday. Here the official lying-in-state will begin, lasting until the morning of her funeral which will take place on Monday, September 19 at Westminster Abbey.
On Saturday, King Charles III approved a proposal to make the day of the queen's funeral a public holiday.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more