They looked immaculate yet emotional, polished yet mournful.
In a congregation of the world’s 500 most regal and influential people, the Queen's grandchildren and their partners stood out with their perfect poise.
Their formality fitted their royal status. But their subtle hand squeezes, shared glances and swift tissue-lending showed they were a family drawn together by love and grief.
Everything, from their pristine clothes, their just-right jewellery and picture perfect posture, proved they understood the late monarch’s priorities perfectly: duty and family must always come first.
The Princess of Wales was the epitome of grace and dignity in her black coat dress, pleated at the back in an echo of the miniature version worn by her adorable daughter Princess Charlotte.
Although never courting attention, years in public spotlight have taught Kate that all eyes would be upon her.
Everything about her appearance, from her delicate mourning veil and muted make up, showed that today was not about her.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, had Audrey Hepburn elegance in her immaculate cape coat, wide-brimmed hat and elbow-length gloves.
Nothing in her body language hinted at deep family divisions when the occasion made even monumental fall-outs seem insignificant.
Zara Tindall, said to be one of the late Queen’s favourite grandchildren, must be wrought with worry over her mother Princess Anne who has barely left the her grandmother’s coffin and is surely physically and emotionally exhausted.
Her silk-collared coat and elegant pillbox hat were perfectly chosen and showed just how mature the former royal rebel has become.
Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, perhaps not always known for their sartorial style, nailed it for the occasion.
And Sophie, Countess of Wessex, seems to have grown in stature as the public have learned how much she was adored and respected by our late Queen.
Tucked in her leather clutch bag were a stash of tissues presumably for her children Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn but handed first to her husband, the Queen’s youngest child Prince Edward.
No wonder our Queen was so proud of her grandchildren, who were without exception beautifully turned out and behaved.
Each bearing matching feelings of grief and painful loss, we can only hope that away from the cameras and formalities they were all able to enjoy a warm hug and happy memories of their grandmother together.
