Sophie Wessex made a heartwarming gesture towards a young well-wisher who was paying his respects to the Queen. Prince Edward and his wife, who is regarded as Her Majesty's closest daugher-in-law, were in Manchester today to light a cande in memory of the late monarch at the city's cathedral.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex also viewed the floral tributes in St Ann's Square and the book of condolence at Manchester's Central Library before going out to greet floods of people who had gathered outside. During one particularly emotional moment, Sophie shared a hug with a young royal fan named Josh.
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There were actually two special interactions, as Josh passed a bouquet of flowers to the Countess when she first walked round.
Then the royal couple were receiving applause from the crowd as they made there way back to the car to leave, but Sophie saw the youngster holding his arms outstretched.
She rushed over to the youngster to give Josh, who was clutching onto his teddy bear, a second warm ambrace before she left.
Speaking to Sky News afterwards, Josh said the heartwarming moment made him feel "happy" - and he also revealed his love for the Queen's handbag and Paddington Bear.
Josh's mum Sue explained what it meant to her son, who is non-verbal, and revealed Sophie had said: "Nice to meet you. Do you want me to take your flowers?"
"It was quite emotional to be honest. I'm trying to hold it all in," explained Sue. "I wanted to lay some flowers but I wasn't expecting Sophie to come over and take them off him. It was a nice moment."
Meanwhile, the Earl of Wessex was seen crouching down as he laid a floral tribute to his mother in poignant scenes.
Sue praised the couple for taking the time to speak to every person on the front row, and revealed what Sophie said to her son.
The mother and son had been travelling to Manchester to lay flowers, but decided to come down earlier after discovering the Wessexes were in attendance.
"It's going to be a nice memory," she added.
The Wessexes travelled to Manchester after attending the procession of Her Majesty's coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.
On Wednesday, King Charles III was seen carrying a gift from the Queen today during the historic procession.
The new monarch was joined by his siblings, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward along with his two sons, Princes William and Harry, for the historic occasion.
The King wore full day ceremonial uniform with the rank of Field Marshal - and in held a special gift from his beloved mother.
His Majesty carried his Field Marshal Baton presented to him by The Queen when he became Field Marshal in 2012.
He looked tear-eyed as he walked behind his mother's coffin - and a number of people could be seen wiping away tears as the it made its way down The Mall.
They were followed by cars containing Queen Consort Camilla, Kate Middleton, the new Princess of Wales, Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
During the service, the senior royals stood in formation facing the coffin on its purple-covered catafalque, which was flanked with a tall, yellow flickering candle at each corner of the wide scarlet platform.
The King and Queen Consort stood together a metre or so apart, with the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence behind them, then the Duke of York alone, and in the next row the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Behind them were the Prince and Princess of Wales, with the Duke of Sussex behind William, and the Duchess of Sussex directly behind Kate.
Thousands of people are now queuing up to see Her Majesty lying in state in Westminster Hall - with many braving the elements through the night.
Officials are expecting upwards of 750,000 people to go and see the coffin and the line has now stretched to four miles long.
* You can now buy Friday's historic Daily Mirror commemorating the death of the Queen here: mirror.co.uk/commemorative
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