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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Confusion as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie appear to leave Queen's funeral early

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie left royal fans confused after they appeared to leave their grandmother the Queen's funeral early.

As the funeral service at Westminster Abbey was nearing its end, the two princesses were seen getting up and leaving their seats before other royals in the congregation. It was before the Queen's coffin was carried out of the Abbey - and their mother Sarah Ferguson appeared to want to join them although eventually sat back down. And people watching the funeral on TV, which was beamed around the world, were left baffled by their seeming early exit from the service - although they were outside with the rest of the royals as the coffin left the Abbey.

The Queen's granddaughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)

You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here.

One fan asked on Twitter: "Anyone know why Eugenie and Beatrice left mid ceremony? Sarah Ferguson almost left with them but seems to have been told not to?"

While another wondered: "Any idea why Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice left the funeral prior to the coffin?

Before the service at Westminster, King Charles III and his siblings – the Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex – had marched behind their mother’s coffin as it travelled the short distance from Westminster Hall, where the Queen had been lying in state for four days, to the ancient Abbey.

Tens of thousands have filled the capital to pay their last respects just a few hours after the last person had filed past the Queen’s coffin, bringing to a close the symbolic ritual.

The sisters appeared to leave the Abbey before the rest of the congregation (pixel8000)
The two princesses with the rest of the royal family after the service at Westminster Abbey (Getty Images)

The Queen’s coffin has now begun its final journey from Westminster Abbey to Windsor Castle where the late monarch will be reunited with her beloved husband.

Hundreds of thousands of well-wishers flocked to London and are lining the route through the capital to say their last goodbyes, while millions around the globe are watching proceedings on TV.

The King and his siblings walked behind the coffin as it left Westminster Abbey following the state funeral, while other royals are travelling by car.

The Queen's coffin is carried out of the Abbey (SKY NEWS)
King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward arriving at Westminster Abbey on Monday (AFP via Getty Images)

During the service, Charles was visibly moved and looked close to tears as the national anthem was sung in the Abbey.

Prince George was also comforted by his mother, the Princess of Wales, during the service.

In a personal touch, the wreath adorning the Queen’s coffin had a handwritten note, which was penned by the King.

The message said: “In loving and devoted memory.”

The coffin is now heading to Wellington Arch at the corner of Hyde Park, before being transferred into a hearse for the journey to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

A televised committal ceremony will take place in the chapel at 4pm followed by a private interment service attended by senior royals.

You can now buy Friday's historic Daily Mirror commemorating the death of the Queen here: mirror.co.uk/commemorative

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