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Simon Duke

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie spark Queen's funeral confusion over 'early' exit

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie sparked confusion amongst the many viewers who tuned into coverage of the Queen's funeral as they appeared to make an 'early' exit from the service.

The Queen's grandchildren and daughters of Prince Andrew,. Duke of York and ex wife Sarah Ferguson, joined their parents and many members of the Royal Family, including young Prince George and Princess Charlotte for the state event at Westminster Abbey, having been at Westminster Hall alongside the likes of Prince William and Prince Harry for a very poignant vigil at Westminster Hall just a few days earlier.

The two Princesses were seen making their entrance into the Abbey as the eyes of the world fixed on the historic building and TV cameras captured the build up to the service. The Queen's funeral proved to be a very moving occasion, with the order of service featuring hymns chosen by the late monarch herself and many world leaders in attendance as an estimated congregation of 2,000 paid their respects to Her Majesty and honoured her remarkable reign.

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And, as proceedings in Westminster Abbey drew to a close, people watching the live broadcast at home saw Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie getting up and moving away from their seats, before the Queen's coffin was actually carried out, before being taken on a gun carriage up to Wellington Arch, before being transferred into the royal hearse and onto Windsor.

Their mother Sarah was seen looking like she wanted to follow them but then sat down in her seat, with her being positioned right behind Kate, Princess Of Wales.

Reacting to the footage they saw on screen, one Twitter user swiftly asked: "why did Beatrice and Eugenie leave early from the funeral?" A second quizzed: "Anyone know why Eugenie and Beatrice left mid ceremony? Sarah Ferguson almost left with them but seems to have been told not to?

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice are seen in a car following the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbe (Getty Images)

Another curious viewer speculated: "Yeah maybe. Was very strange the other royals all turned and looked so I didn’t think it seemed planned."

While the two sisters looked like they'd made a rather premature exit, they were seen outside of Westminster Abbey as cameras picked up members of the Royal Family getting ready to get into cars for the next phase of proceedings.

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