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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Prince Harry kept 'eye on' William for strength as they walked behind Diana's coffin

Prince Harry has revealed how he kept his eye on his brother Prince William as they walked behind their mother's coffin on the day of her funeral to give him strength.

As a 12-year-old boy, Harry and a then 15-year-old William joined their father Charles, grandfather Prince Philip and uncle Charles Spencer in Princess Diana's funeral procession following her tragic death in a Paris car crash.

The heartbreaking image of the two youngsters with their heads bowed as they followed the coffin is one many will never forget.

And in his new memoir Spare, Harry reveals how he almost didn't join the walk after his uncle was horrified at the plan.

Harry alongside older brother Prince William at Princess Diana's funeral (AFP via Getty Images)

But knowing William would be taking part and he would be too - he says he wanted to be with his brother and recalls setting off.

He says: "First thing in the morning, we set off, all of us together. Uncle Charles on my right and Willy on his, followed by grandpa. My father was on my left. At first, I noticed how serene grandpa looked, as if this was a royal engagement like any other."

Harry then writes: "I could see his [Philip's] eyes clearly, because he was looking straight ahead, like everyone else. I, on the other hand, was looking down, just like Willy.

Harry, William, Charles and Diana's brother Charles Spencer at her funeral in 1997 (DAILY MIRROR)

"I remember feeling numb. I remember clenching my fists. I remember keeping a little piece of Willy in the corner of my eye because it gave me strength."

He later goes on to say that he almost cried after Elton John finished his performance of Candle in the Wind during the service at Westminster Abbey and that the "truth hurt" during his uncle's ferocious eulogy, where he appeared to criticise the royal family.

It's not the first time that Harry has opened up about the day of his mother's funeral and the walk through the streets of London behind her coffin.

The book is out next week (Penguin Random House)

In 2017, he said no child' should be made to walk behind a coffin like he was and said he didn't think "it would happen today".

He told Newsweek: "My mother had just died, and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin, surrounded by thousands of people watching me while millions more did on television.

"I don't think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances.

"I don't think it would happen today."

And in the same interview, Harry praised Diana for playing a huge part in showing him an ordinary life.

Details from the book emerged after a bookstore in Spain started selling the memoir five days early.

It is not due to be released until Tuesday (January 10) with Harry having several TV interviews lined up to promote it over the weekend.

This story is based off a translated version of Prince Harry’s memoir Spare. Spare published by Penguin Random House will be available to buy in the UK on January 10.

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