Queen Elizabeth II’s great-grandchildren arrive at the vigil at Westminster Hall

Queen Elizabeth II’s great-grandchildren make their first appearance at Westminster Hall, where the Queen’s coffin rests until her funeral on Monday.

The Queen’s four children – King Charles II, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex – paid tribute to their mother on Friday September 16 during the Princes’ Vigil at Westminster Hall.

The King led his siblings, all dressed in military uniform, as they stood guard around the Queen’s coffin during the 15-minute ceremonial vigil. All four stood in silence as mourners in line continued to walk past the coffin.

A number of members of the royal family were watched from above as the ceremony took place. Among them were the Queen’s consort and Princess Anne’s husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

The Queen’s grandchildren – James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor – also attended the vigil with their mother: Sophie, Countess of Wessex. Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank watched the vigil from above alongside Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

The Duke of Kent, one of the Queen’s four living first cousins, attended with his son and daughter-in-law, the Earl and Countess of St Andrews.

Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips and his two daughters – Savannah, 11, and Isla, 10 – also watched the princes’ vigil from above. Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall and husband Mike Tindall were also with their daughters – Mia, eight, and Lena, four.

This is the first time one of Queen Elizabeth II’s great-grandchildren has been seen since the Queen’s death on September 8. There has been much speculation as to whether any of the Queen’s 12 great-grandchildren would attend her funeral on Monday, considering they are still young.

The last time the young royals were spotted in public together was during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, and they drew plenty of attention for their shenanigans.

Four-year-old Prince Louis particularly impressed at the Trooping of the Color parade and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant. The youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales stole the show with his expressive faces and screams during the Royal Air Force flyby.

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At one moment during the pageant, the Queen’s great-grandchildren were caught fighting over a bag of candy. Lena pulled out the bag of candy and offered one to Princess Charlotte. Savannah caught the bag, but Lena pulled it away before she could grab a handful. Prince Louis tried to steal the bag, but Lena broke free to offer something to Prince George.

Although it is unclear what role the 12 great-grandchildren will play at the funeral, the Queen’s grandchildren will attend a vigil at her coffin on Saturday. A royal source said the Prince of Wales will lead the Queen’s coffin, while the Duke of Sussex will stand at the foot.

At the King’s request, his sons Prince William and Prince Harry will both wear military uniforms. Harry had previously been banned from wearing his uniform during Wednesday’s coffin procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall and instead wore a black suit with his military medals pinned to his coat.

Many royal commentators criticized the restriction as the prince had served ten years in the British Army and completed two deployments to Afghanistan.

Earlier this week, Prince Harry tried to draw attention to his grandmother’s life rather than his looks.

“[Prince Harry] will wear a morning suit at all events honoring his grandmother,” his spokesman said. “His decade of military service will not be defined by the uniform he wears and we respectfully ask that the focus remain on the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”