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It’s the image the world will never forget: Prince Harry and Prince William walking through the streets of London behind their mother’s coffin.
And now the Royals have spoken out about how it felt to be made to take part in Princess Diana’s funeral procession.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, and it was a collective family decision to do that,” William reveals in the new BBC documentary Diana, 7 Days.
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. There was that balance between duty and family and that’s what we had to do.”
Harry concurs: “I think it was a group decision. But before I knew it, I found myself with a suit on with a black tie and a white shirt, I think, and I was a part of it.”
Although at the time many argued that William and Harry – then aged 15 and 12-years-old – should never have been included in the march, the brothers admit they have no regrets.
“Genuinely, I don’t have an opinion on whether that was right or wrong,” Harry says.
“I am glad I was part of it. Looking back on it now, I am very glad I was part of it.”
The Princes were accompanied by their father, Prince Charles, their grandfather, Prince Philip, and their uncle, Lord Charles Spencer, for the one hour, 47-minute journey from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey.
But upon reflection, William recalls that the walk was very “long and lonely.”
“Both our parents brought us up to understand that there is this element of duty, and responsibility that you have to do things you don’t want to do,” he says.
“When it becomes that personal, walking behind your mother’s funeral cortege, it goes to another level of duty. But I just kept thinking about what she would want and that she’d be proud of Harry and I and effectively she was there with us. It felt like she was walking alongside us to get us through it.”
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