King Charles, siblings stand vigil at Queen’s coffin at Westminster Hall

By Busra Nur Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) – King Charles and his siblings, on Friday evening, held a 15-minute vigil around the queen's coffin at Westminster Hall.

Prince Andrew, the duke of York, Princess Anne, the princess royal, and Prince Edward, the earl of Wessex, joined their brother King Charles III in honoring their mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Extended members of the royal family were also present in Westminster Hall, including Charles's wife, Queen Camilla.

The queen's children also held vigil during her a 24-hour "lying-at-rest" at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland.

After Elizabeth II's children, her eight grandchildren, including Princes William and Harry, will also hold a vigil on Saturday.

The vigil of the princess was first held when Elizabeth's great grandfather King George V died. His sons, King Edward VIII; Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI); Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester; and Prince George, Duke of Kent, took guard on Jan. 27, 1936, at the lying-in-state of their father.

Because she had no sons, when Elizabeth II's mother died in 2002, the vigil was held by her grandsons; Charles, Prince of Wales (now King Charles III); Prince Andrew, Duke of York; Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex; and David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley (Queen Elizabeth II's nephew, now 2nd earl of Snowdon).

On the first two such occasions, only male members of the British Royal Family took part in the vigil. However, Queen Elizabeth II's daughter Princess Royal joined her brothers in vigils for her mother, Queen Elizabeth II.