In an emotional moment, Prince William recently opened up about the powerful memories he had of walking behind his mother Princess Diana’s coffin 28 years ago, especially since Queen Elizabeth passed away two years ago, bringing those silent memories of his late mother to the forefront once again.

As William and Princess Catherine made their first solo outing as the newly titled Prince and Princess of Wales, they visited Sandringham. While interacting with the crowd, they paused to read the heartfelt condolence cards and floral tributes left outside the estate’s Norwich Gates. William spoke candidly with the crowd, admitting that walking behind the Queen’s casket brought back painful memories of walking behind Diana’s coffin as a young boy.

“The procession yesterday was very difficult,” William shared emotionally. “It brought back a lot of memories of walking behind my mother’s coffin.” A mourner noticed the emotional weight of the moment, and William responded, “Don’t cry now, you’ll start me.”

During their interaction, William also shared a personal insight about his children’s awareness of the Queen’s death. He revealed that his eldest son, Prince George, understood the passing, while his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis,  weren’t yet fully aware of the loss.

The conversation then shifted to William’s own memories of that fateful day in 1997 when, at just 15 years old, he followed his mother’s coffin through the streets. He spoke of the long and lonely walk, recalling how he tried to hide his face beneath his hair, too overwhelmed to process the public grief surrounding him. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” William said, recalling how the decision to participate was a collective family decision, a balance between duty and personal loss.

Prince Harry, in a 2017 interview, reflected similarly on the painful walk, saying no child should be asked to go through such an experience. His words resonated with many who understood the emotional toll both brothers had endured during their mother’s funeral.

Back at Sandringham, Catherine shared her own struggles with the overwhelming flow of sympathy cards and tributes, revealing to a mourner that reading too many would bring her to tears. The couple spent nearly an hour mingling with the public, reading the notes, and connecting with their supporters.

One moment at the gates of Sandringham was especially poignant when Fran Morgan, a 62-year-old mourner, spoke with Catherine. “I can’t believe how many cards and flowers there are,” Catherine said, “but I can’t read them all or I would cry.” Meanwhile, a young mother, Maisie, recalled how she had intended to wake her 3-month-old son to show him to the royals, but decided against it when he fell asleep.

In a conversation with one well-wisher, Princess Catherine reassured the crowd that her children were doing well and were being well cared for at school, showing a glimpse of how the family is coping through such a difficult time.

The royal couple has been navigating an incredibly hectic period, from moving into their new home in Windsor to settling their children into their new school. Despite their personal loss, William and Catherine have remained committed to their royal duties, showing up to honor Queen Elizabeth’s memory, alongside other members of the royal family, during events in London and at Sandringham.

Outside the Queen’s Norfolk estate, thousands of mourners have continued to gather, paying their respects and leaving an outpouring of tributes. As people stand in long lines to view the Queen’s coffin, the Archbishop of Canterbury noted how deeply the public’s affection for the Queen has moved him. “The turnout shows the sense of deep affection for the stability she provided,” he said, remarking on how remarkable her wisdom was throughout her reign.

As the royal family continues to honor the Queen’s memory, Prince William’s reflections offer a poignant reminder of the weight of public duty and the deeply personal grief he and his family have experienced over the years.