Lorraine Kelly has spoken in defence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they were criticised fro their affectionate appearance as they left Westminster Hall on Wednesday (September 14). The Duke of Sussex joined his brother, Prince William, and his dad, King Charles III, as they followed the Queen's coffin during a procession from Buckingham Palace.
A gun carriage that had borne the coffins of her mother and father carried the late monarch to Westminster Hall in a procession of pomp and pageantry through the heart of the capital watched by tens of thousands who lined the route.
King Charles III led members of the royal family, including his siblings and two sons, Princes William and Harry, as they walked behind the coffin, draped with a Royal Standard, adorned with the Imperial State Crown and pulled on a gun carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
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The family were joined by Camilla, Queen Consort, Kate, Prince of Wales, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex as they stood in front of their mother and grandmother's coffin. Other members of the royal family also stood in line.
Meanwhile, dozens of MPs and peers were congregated at one end of the hall with the Prime Minister and other party leaders, while at the other stood seven of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting, all dressed in black.
On her self-titled ITV show on Thursday morning (September 15), Lorriane chatted to Jennie Bond about the events of the previous day. Lorraine said of Harry, who marks his 38th birthday today: "He did look absolutely shattered the poor wee soul."
She then continued to comment on pictures taken of Harry as he left Westminster Hall, gripping onto the hand of his wife. "And on the way out [of the service] quite instinctively he held hands with his wife as he should," Lorraine commented, adding: "I don't think there's anything wrong with that. He obviously needed the support from Megan and it was there."
Jennie, who worked for fourteen years as the BBC's royal correspondent, replied: “It’s almost their trademark, isn't it? They always work hand in hand, and it's lovely to see. I don't see why anyone should stand on protocol even at grand occasions like this."
She continued: "So she is there supporting her husband. I think actually, Catherine also quietly stroked William’s arm, they're supporting their husbands who are united in grief and Harry always has been the more emotional I suppose."
Jennie also reflected on Harry's birthday, adding: "Another sad birthday for him, again he will think back 25 years ago when he was just 13, a week or two after his mother died and now he’s 38 today."
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