The Queen’s youngest grandson was praised by onlookers as he stood guard over Her Majesty’s coffin.
Those who watched the vigil at Westminster Hall praised James, Viscount Severn, for bravely standing by his cousins during the 15-minute reflection period, The Sun reported.
The stoic 14-year-old bowed his head as emotional mourners passed by to see his grandmother lying in state.
Onlookers said the teenager was ‘admirable’ for being vigilant at such a young age.
And many believed the poignant moment echoed images of Princes William and Harry at Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997.
One viewer wrote on Twitter: “Can’t help but notice that Prince Edward’s 14-year-old son James bears a very uncanny resemblance to Prince William during Princess Diana’s funeral.”
Another said: “The Queen’s youngest grandson James Viscount Severn reminds me of Harry when Diana died.”
Someone else commented: “Young Viscount James Severn looks a lot like Prince William when he was the same age and had to go through so much pain publicly, such a brave young man.”
A fourth wrote: “Bless all the royal grandchildren for this vigil.
“Especially the Wessex kids – so young and not much in the limelight, I hope someone gave them a hug afterwards.
“I couldn’t help but think how much William Viscount Severn looked like with his teenage hair at Diana’s funeral.”
James, who is the son of Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, was joined by his sister, Lady Louise Windsor, and his six cousins tonight.
He is only a year younger than William and two years older than Harry when his mother died.
Princes William and Harry, then 12 and 15, stood together as they followed their mother’s casket during her funeral.
Earlier this week, William fought back tears as he told how Wednesday’s royal procession, which saw him and Harry walk behind his grandmother’s coffin in a somber reflection, brought back painful memories of the day he come back.
Jane Wells, who spoke to the Prince of Wales as he laid flowers for the Queen at Sandringham, said: “He told us it had been particularly difficult and following the coffin had reminded him of his mother’s funeral, diana
“He said it had been very difficult.”
This article was originally published in The Sun and is reproduced here with permission
Read related topics: Queen Elizabeth II