'Goodbye Gan Gan': Prince George and Princess Charlotte walk behind Queen's coffin at funeral

Prince George was said to be very close to the late Queen who even celebrated his 9th birthday

UPDATED SEP 19, 2022

Prince George and Princess Charlotte were part of the funeral procession for the Queen (Photo by Phil Noble/Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Prince George and Princess Charlotte were spotted for the first time since the Queen's death as they arrived for her funeral on Monday, September 19. George, 9, second-in-line to the throne, was accompanied by his younger sister Charlotte, 7, and their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, as they walked with the coffin to Westminster Abbey.

According to the Mirror, the Queen's coffin was lying-in-state for four days prior to the funeral. Thousands came to catch one last glimpse of the longest-reigning monarch, who passed away on Thursday, September 8, at her Balmoral residence.

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The procession through Westminster Abbey was led by King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla, followed by Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex.

Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales walk behind The Queen's funeral cortege borne on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy as it proceeds towards Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. — Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales walk behind The Queen's funeral cortege borne on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy as it proceeds towards Westminster Abbey on September 19 in London, England (Getty Images)

The Queen's children were followed by William, Kate, and their two children, followed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Peter Phillips and the Earl of Snowdon as well as the Duke of Kent, the Duke of Gloucester and Prince Michael of Kent.

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Sophie, Countess of Wessexm Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried into Westminster Abbey during the State Funeral on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. — Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Sophie, Countess of Wessexm Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried into Westminster Abbey during the State Funeral on September 19 in London, England (Photo by Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Charlotte and George joined other royals for the committal service at St George's Chapel in Windsor. Earlier, the two attended for a memorial event for their great grandfather Prince Philip, who died in April 2021. However, they did not go to his funeral due to Covid restrictions across UK.

Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince George, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales depart Westminster Abbey during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. — Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince George, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales depart Westminster Abbey during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II who died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022.(Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

As per the outlet, Geroge is younger than both his father and uncle, Harry, who took part in the official coffin procession for their mother, Princess Diana. William and Harry were aged 15 and 12, respectively then.

Harry and William memorably followed their mother Diana's coffin at the ages of just 12 and 15 for her funeral in 1997 (left); during their surprise appearance at Balmoral the warring brothers showed no signs of affection (Getty Images) — Harry and William follow their mother Diana's coffin when they were just 12 and 15 in 1997; during their surprise appearance at Balmoral the warring brothers showed no signs of affection (Getty Images)

Despite the period of national mourning, William and Kate continued to send their children to school. Their youngest, Prince Louis, who is four years old, did not attend as he is too young. According to the DailyMail, an insider said, "Courtiers are keen for Prince George to be at the funeral in some capacity, if only to reassure the nation of the order of succession."

the outlet also reported reported Kate saying that George “understands the loss” of his great-grandmother, who he nicknamed ‘Gan Gan’, when she met mourners in Sandringham on September 15. He reportedly had a close relationship with his great-grandmother. The Queen also celebrated his ninth birthday in July by sharing a picture of them together on the balcony at Buckingham Palace at the Jubilee weekend. The Queen's official Twitter page featured the post saying, "Wishing a very Happy 9th Birthday to Prince George!!" along with a cake emoji.

🎂 Wishing a very Happy 9th Birthday to Prince George! pic.twitter.com/RenASYiAsU
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 22, 2022

Ever since the Queen passed away, William and Kate's children have not been in the public as their parents met mourners and other dignitaries.