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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Russell Myers & Jennifer Newton

Zara Tindall praised for 'totally relatable' moment after stumbling during Queen's vigil

The Queen's oldest granddaughter Zara Tindall has been praised by royal fans for her grace during a "totally relatable" moment following a historic vigil around her grandmother's coffin.

Tonight, all eight of the late monarch's grandchildren, including Prince William and Prince Harry, stood guard at the coffin in Westminster Hall as weeping mourners filed past. They were led to the vigil by William, the new Prince of Wales, who was flanked by Zara, 41, and her older brother Peter Phillips. At the other end of the coffin were Harry, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie while Lady Louise Windsor, aged 18, and her 14-year-old brother, and James, Viscount Severn stood in the middle.

Zara Tindall during an emotional vigil at Westminster Hall around the Queen's coffin (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Zara holds a vigil around the coffin (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

All eight stood guard for around 15 minutes before they were once more led by William out of Westminster Hall, where the moving ceremony took place.

As the group walked back up the staircase to exit the hall, Zara's right shoe came off her foot.

She shared a smile with Lady Louise and reached down and placed her black heeled shoe on her foot - causing the rest of the mourners to wait.

Zara stepped back as she appeared to retrieve her shoe (sky)

But royal fans praised Zara's grace in dealing with the mishap and said it showed how "totally relatable" she is.

One wrote on Twitter: "Suspect Zara lost her shoe there, dealt with it in good grace. Beautiful vigil."

Another said: "Zara loosing her shoe lightened the moment and made things more real."

One viewer remarked: "I was crying until Zara lost her shoe going up the steps. Totally relatable moment that made me smile."

The Queen's grandchildren all mount a vigil at her coffin (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

While another noted of Zara: "So relatable, real people going through a horrible experience and showing us how amazing our royal family is."

Most of the Queen's grandchildren all wore formal black dress for the occasion apart from William and Harry who were in military uniform.

Harry was wearing the Blues and Royals, No.1 Uniform, KCVO Neck Order and Star, Afghanistan Operational Service Medal, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals and Army Pilot Wings.

The Queen's grandchildren walk in formation towards her coffin (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

William was wearing the Blues and Royals, No.1 Uniform, The Garter Sash, The Garter Star, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals and RAF Pilot Wings.

Harry, who saw action on the front line during two tours of duty in Afghanistan, has previously been denied the chance to wear his military uniform as he publicly mourns, because he is no longer a working royal.

But royal sources said the King decided his youngest son could wear uniform for the vigil.

William led the Queen's grandchildren down the stairs (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
William and Harry emerge in their military dress (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Despite being a former Army officer, Harry has been in civilian dress for official events this week, including walking behind the Queen’s coffin on Wednesday.

As the royals returned to their cars after the vigil, Zara appeared to be linking arms with Harry, while Peter, Louise and Beatrice were walking along together.

On Friday evening, the Queen’s children – Charles, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex – took part in their own vigil.

They were all dressed in uniform, with an exception made for disgraced Prince Andrew, who is no longer a working royal, to wear his military uniform as a “special mark of respect” for the Queen.

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

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