Certain moments catch you out, says William on grief

The Prince and Princess of Wales met people who helped facilitate the committal service in Windsor

The Prince of Wales has told volunteers and staff who helped on the day of the Queen's funeral "certain moments catch you out" as he continues to grieve.

Prince William reflected on his grief during his and Catherine's first appearance since the Queen was laid to rest on Monday.

The prince also said he "choked up" over Paddington Bear tributes.

The Royal Family is observing an extended period of mourning.

In the visit to Windsor's Guildhall to thank those who helped with the committal service, when one of the staff talked about how difficult the last few days must have been, William replied: "If you flip it on its head, it is always very comforting that so many people care. It makes it a lot better.

"There are certain moments that catch you out. You are prepared for all, but certain moments catch you out."

Revealing he got "choked up" seeing Paddington Bear tributes to the Queen, following a sketch she filmed with the fictional character for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, he added: "It is the things you don't expect that get to you."

Speaking to council workers, he later joked about there being a new "competition" between Paddington Bear and the corgis, but "the corgis have been there longer".

The prince and princess had been meeting those who helped facilitate the service in the town. Large crowds gathered to watch the procession of the Queen's coffin on her final journey to the castle, where the committal service was held.

While Catherine asked if many of those in the crowd on Monday were from Windsor itself, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead volunteer ambassadors replied that people had travelled from across the world.

The princess said: "It's amazing how many people wanted to come and pay their respects."

About 103,000 people gathered in Windsor to pay their respects to the Queen on her final journey to the castle

The royal couple also spoke to members of the Crown Estate staff who helped to organise floral tributes. The prince and princess heard an estimated 100,000 were laid in Windsor.

"The spotlight was on Windsor and it looked incredible, so well done," the princess said.

About 900 stewards helped manage crowds in Windsor, which numbered about 103,000, according to the local authority.

Lindsey Hobbs, who works for South Central Ambulance Service, met the royal couple.

She said: "It was so lovely to sit down with Catherine, bearing in mind she's had to be a mother and a wife and as a family they haven't really been given any adequate time to kind of grieve themselves, but yet they're still out doing their public-facing duties."

On Monday, the nation paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II - Britain's longest reigning monarch - at a state funeral service at Westminster Abbey in London and the committal service at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

The Queen was then laid to rest in a private burial service alongside her husband the late Duke of Edinburgh.

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The walkabout came after Prince William spoke of his late grandmother in a video released on Wednesday to promote the environmental competition he founded, the Earthshot Prize.

In the virtual message broadcast to people gathered for an Earthshot summit in New York, he said: "During this time of grief, I take great comfort in your continued enthusiasm, optimism and commitment to the Earthshot Prize and what we are trying to achieve.

"Protecting the environment was a cause close to my grandmother's heart. And I know she would have been delighted to hear about this event."

Princess Anne thanked Royal Navy personnel who took part in the Queen's funeral procession

Following the national period of mourning, which ended after the funeral, the Royal Family is continuing mourning for the Queen until Monday.

During this time, members of the Royal Family are not expected to carry out official engagements, and flags at royal residences remain at half-mast until 08:00 BST on Tuesday.

The Princess Royal - Princess Anne - has also been on a visit to thank those involved in Monday's services. She visited Portsmouth Naval Base and St Omer Barracks, Aldershot, to speak to members of the Royal Navy and army involved in the funeral.

The Earl of Wessex - Prince Edward - is visiting Estonia and Germany to thank the armed forces for their service to the Queen as their commander-in-chief, and their commitment to the King as the new head of the armed forces.

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