Viewers draw heartbreaking comparison between James, Viscount Severn and a young Prince William

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By stefan armitage

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With the state funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II set to take place on Monday (September 19), the final ceremonies and traditions are continuing to take place.

And on Saturday evening, Royal fans were moved by the Queen's eight grandchildren coming together to hold a 15-minute vigil around their late grandmother's coffin as it lie in state in Westminister Hall.

Brothers Prince William and Prince Harry led their six cousins - Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall, Peter Phillips, Lady Louise Windsor, and James, Viscount Severn - as they took their place around the Queen's coffin.

Known as the Vigil of the Princes, it was the first time in British history that a monarch’s grandchildren have performed the tradition - roughly 24 hours after their parents did the same on Friday evening.

The somber moment certainly resonated with viewers, but it was the rare public appearance of 14-year-old James, Viscount Severn - son of Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex - that led to many fans of the Royal family making a heartbreaking comparison to the new Prince of Wales.

Dressed in a black suit and respectfully bowing his head, many believed the teenager bared a striking resemblance to Prince William at the funeral of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Known as "The People's Princess", Diana passed away in 1997 following a car accident in Paris. At the time of her death, Prince William was just 15 years old and Prince Harry was 12.

Ever since Princess Diana's funeral on September 6, 1997, both Princes have won the hearts of many people around the world for bravely walking behind their mother's coffin as the world watched.

And, for many, the sight of James, Viscount Severn at yesterday's vigil called back to that solemn moment.

Sharing a side-by-side image of the two young Royals, one Twitter user wrote: "This side by side shows even more how much James and Prince William look alike.

"William was 15 at his mum's funeral. James is 14 at his grandma's funeral, he turns 15 in Dec. Both having to control their emotions at such a young age because the world was literally watching."

A second wrote: "I was wondering why James Wessex, Viscount Severn's, participation threw me so much. Yes the age but then I realised, the hair. Calling of Prince William 25 years ago."

Another added: "Young James Viscount Severn looks so much like Prince William when he was of a similar age and having to go through so much pain publicly, such a brave young man."

"James, Viscount Severn reminded me this evening so much of #PrinceWilliam at the funeral of his Mother #PrincessDiana. I was on The Mall for that funeral and seeing James at the vigil brought it all back," added another.

Sunday marks the final full day that members of the public can visit Westminister Hall to see the Queen's coffin lying in state. Access will be cut off at around 6:30AM on Monday morning.

The Queen's coffin will then be moved to Westminster Abbey at around 10:44AM, ready for her funeral service at 11:00AM.

Following the service, her coffin will then be transported through London to St George's Chapel for a committal service.

Later that evening, at a final family service, Queen Elizabeth II will be buried alongside her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, at the King George VI memorial chapel.

Featured image credit: PA Images / Alamy

Viewers draw heartbreaking comparison between James, Viscount Severn and a young Prince William

vt-author-image

By stefan armitage

Article saved!Article saved!

With the state funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II set to take place on Monday (September 19), the final ceremonies and traditions are continuing to take place.

And on Saturday evening, Royal fans were moved by the Queen's eight grandchildren coming together to hold a 15-minute vigil around their late grandmother's coffin as it lie in state in Westminister Hall.

Brothers Prince William and Prince Harry led their six cousins - Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall, Peter Phillips, Lady Louise Windsor, and James, Viscount Severn - as they took their place around the Queen's coffin.

Known as the Vigil of the Princes, it was the first time in British history that a monarch’s grandchildren have performed the tradition - roughly 24 hours after their parents did the same on Friday evening.

The somber moment certainly resonated with viewers, but it was the rare public appearance of 14-year-old James, Viscount Severn - son of Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex - that led to many fans of the Royal family making a heartbreaking comparison to the new Prince of Wales.

Dressed in a black suit and respectfully bowing his head, many believed the teenager bared a striking resemblance to Prince William at the funeral of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Known as "The People's Princess", Diana passed away in 1997 following a car accident in Paris. At the time of her death, Prince William was just 15 years old and Prince Harry was 12.

Ever since Princess Diana's funeral on September 6, 1997, both Princes have won the hearts of many people around the world for bravely walking behind their mother's coffin as the world watched.

And, for many, the sight of James, Viscount Severn at yesterday's vigil called back to that solemn moment.

Sharing a side-by-side image of the two young Royals, one Twitter user wrote: "This side by side shows even more how much James and Prince William look alike.

"William was 15 at his mum's funeral. James is 14 at his grandma's funeral, he turns 15 in Dec. Both having to control their emotions at such a young age because the world was literally watching."

A second wrote: "I was wondering why James Wessex, Viscount Severn's, participation threw me so much. Yes the age but then I realised, the hair. Calling of Prince William 25 years ago."

Another added: "Young James Viscount Severn looks so much like Prince William when he was of a similar age and having to go through so much pain publicly, such a brave young man."

"James, Viscount Severn reminded me this evening so much of #PrinceWilliam at the funeral of his Mother #PrincessDiana. I was on The Mall for that funeral and seeing James at the vigil brought it all back," added another.

Sunday marks the final full day that members of the public can visit Westminister Hall to see the Queen's coffin lying in state. Access will be cut off at around 6:30AM on Monday morning.

The Queen's coffin will then be moved to Westminster Abbey at around 10:44AM, ready for her funeral service at 11:00AM.

Following the service, her coffin will then be transported through London to St George's Chapel for a committal service.

Later that evening, at a final family service, Queen Elizabeth II will be buried alongside her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, at the King George VI memorial chapel.

Featured image credit: PA Images / Alamy