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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Danielle Kate Wroe

Meghan Markle donned black gloves to pay sweet tribute to Queen at her funeral

After much speculation about what the Royal Family would wear to Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral, we now know that they opted to keep up traditions and wear black. Royals including Meghan Markle, Princess Kate and Princess Eugenie were also seen wearing, or carrying black gloves at the service this morning.

Whilst this accessory is not compulsory at such an event, it has been suggested that the women chose to wear the gloves as a touching nod to the late Queen, who was always spotted out with her signature pairs of gloves, which she wore for a number of reasons - including hygiene.

Meghan was pictured wearing long black gloves to the Queen's funeral, potentially as a mark of respect to the monarch (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were also spotted wearing black gloves (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)

Follow the latest updates as the world mourns Queen Elizabeth II at her funeral on our live blog.

Often Royals will be expected to shake a lot of hands during funerals and large events, so this could be part of the reason that gloves were worn or taken by the women. Another reason is modesty - the Queen wore gloves partially because she wanted to ensure that no part of her arms were exposed.

Genevieve James, the daughter of the Queen's glove maker, told Insider : "When you're the Queen and you're shaking hands, you don't really want to show your arms. The glove goes a bit under her [sleeve], so you don't actually see any arm."

She also said that the gloves are an integral part of her outfit, and you would never see the Queen without them. Elizabeth II used to opt for brushed cotton for many years, but later switched to cotton jersey as it was a lighter material. Each pair takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour to make, but allegedly the Queen would re-wear the pairs for up to 40 years.

It would make sense that the Royals were making a sweet tribute to the former monarch by wearing gloves, though, as Meghan Markle was pictured wearing her black gloves as she attended the state funeral in an elegant black ensemble.

Meghan Duchess of Sussex, Camilla Queen Consort and Catherine Princess of Wales all looked sombre in their black outfits (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)

Kate, the Princess of Wales, wasn't pictured with her gloves on, but she did carry them in her hands, potentially as a mark of respect, alongside her clutch bag. She also wore a wide-brimmed hat that came complete with a subtle veil.

The Queen Consort also held a pair of black gloves in her hand as she was photographed entering and leaving Westminster Abbey, and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice were also pictured donning black gloves, matching their outfits.

The state funeral was an emotional affair, and it saw Prince Andrew unable to hold back tears alongside the Queen's other heartbroken children, King Charles III, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, alongside her grandchildren Prince William, Prince Harry and Peter Phillips who walked behind the coffin as part of the funeral procession.

Whilst many have queued to see the Queen lying in state and lined the streets to say their final goodbyes, the Queen's burial this evening will be a private affair, and will not be televised.

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

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