3 April 2002
PRINCES' VIGIL DURING THE LYING-IN-STATE OF THE QUEEN MOTHER
 The Queen Mother's grandsons will hold a silent vigil at some point during the Lying-in-State at Westminster Hall. The Queen Mother's four grandsons - The Prince of Wales, The Duke of York, The Earl of Wessex and Viscount Linley - will pay a silent tribute to their grandmother in Westminster Hall, standing guard at each corner of the coffin. The ceremony has Royal precedent in a similar vigil mounted for George V in 1936 in Westminster Hall, when his sons, Edward, Albert, Henry and George, stood at their father's coffin.
Whilst Her Majesty's Coffin Lies-in-State, a constant and solemn guard will be kept under the direction of the Commander Household Cavalry. Her Majesty's Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard, The Royal Company of Archers, The Queen's Body Guard for Scotland, Officers of the Household Cavalry, and Officers of the Foot Guards will variously take turns in mounting Watch. Each Watch will last six hours, and be divided into twenty-minute Vigils. At any time, four Officers will stand guard around the Catafalque, with others stood near by. The first Vigil will be kept by the Household Cavalry, the last by the Irish Guards.
Illustration: The Lying in State of King George V (evening): The Princes' Vigil, 28th January 1936 - painting by Frank Beresford (1881-1967)
© Reserved / The Royal Collection
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