Prince George at The Queen's funeral?

Ooh the youngest was nine, perhaps.

My grandsons went to their nan's funeral (the youngest was ten, the other fourteen)

Then, less than a year later they went to their mums funeral.

My grandkids attended their Daddy’s funeral when they were 4 and 6 it was on the advice of a childrens bereavement charity They said if a child is left out they often are regretful when older
Again they said they can have less chance of understanding that the person has actually died The finality if it whist heartbreaking is the truth, when not attending they will often believe the parent or grandparent is ‘somewhere’ just that they are not in touch any more that they ve left them because they didn’t want to be with them
When they were older 11 and 9 they attended their grandads funeral as they had been very close to him they didn’t attend their Nans as they d only known her in a home with Alzheimer’s
It is up to the family of course but I don’t think children should be hidden away from death

My five grandchildren aged from 9 down to 5 all came to Gt Grandads funeral. Admittedly a little less public than tomorrows on leavingthe chapel l the eldest took my hand and whispered ‘Granma. When’s lunch?..’ I felt my dad would have loved that…

Very young members of the Royal Family were present at Westminster Hall when the Queen’s children held their vigil, so they have obviously been well prepared and would be aware of the formalities involved.
There is a world of difference between witnessing a funeral, and having an active role of walking behind a coffin as William and Harry did.
I am sure the presence of Prince George and Princess Charlotte would be delicately handled.

My first funeral was over 60 years ago for a school mate who had died at 11. The class were told we had to go and be the choir at her funeral. We were sitting close to her distraught family and had been warned on no account to cry. I did cry though, it was so sad to see their distress and was roundly admonished by the teacher as we trooped back to school.
On the back of that, years later , I can’t believe it now, but I couldn't face my grandmothers funeral because I knew I would cry.
Our family is small so no further funerals apart from my mum and in laws, which of course I went to, so excluding those I have only been to about 5, my social and family circle is clearly very small. My dd has already been to about 40.
What I am trying to say is yes children can be traumatised so it needs to be thought through, carefully, but in principle I am not against it.

It's obviously up to the parents in each individual circumstances, but I wouldn't have had any issues with taking my children to a funeral at that age. I lost all three of my grandparents at quite a young age (my paternal grandfather died before I was born) and I remember feeling quite sad that I was never given a chance to say goodbye to them. As M0nica says, death is part of life and I think it's far healthier for them in the long run to be given that opportunity to say goodbye to a loved one. Of course, if the child doesn't want to go, they shouldn't be made to.

What a very unpleasant post Glorianny, ut solet.

There will also be some younger than 9 at the headteacher’s funeral tomorrow. Even younger than 9, a child may possibly have had some say in the matter otherwise it’s the parents’ decision, something people may have differing opinions about, but not something to make nasty comments about.

Glorianny In 20 years time they could just as easily deeply regret and feel quite bitter that they were not allowed to go to their great grandmother's funeral.

No one can tell how any individual, young or old, will react to a particular event in 20 years time, least of all the individual involved.

I doubt many of the family funerals mentioned were conducted with millions of people watching , media intrusion, and a very long service .
Surely better for the children to attend the smaller service

How cynical and unkind, Gloriana. It is entirely up to their parents. They know their children's characters best.
It could be that in twenty years time the children might say how glad they are that they were at their great-grandmother's funeral. Just wondering.

Apparently the length of the service is 55 minutes, everything timed to the nth degree in order to reach Windsor at the correct time for the family comital.

My granddaughter aged 5 or 6 came to my mother's funeral and gave a short reading! We'd explained everything to her and answered her questions and it was quite uplifting.
The Royal Family have to make their own decisions - and this funeral will probably last far longer than usual funerals which could make a real difference to whether or not Prince George attends

My dgs came to my husband’s funeral in early 2020, pre-COVID. They were 9 & 6 and completely understood what was going on. They behaved perfectly both during the service and afterwards at the wake. I think my mother in law especially found it comforting to have them there.

No Glorianny, I do not think that, ( post 11:04:15)
How unpleasant.
It is not our business, at all.

Slightly off track, we had no problem with our young children attending funerals.

What they did find strange was the wake afterwards, they couldn’t understand why the majority of people were so jolly , why were we all laughing, eating and drinking. We explained that is was a party for the deceased, to celebrate the life they lived and swop anecdotes.

It took some time for them to understand that it was not disrespectful.

My parents great grandchildren all attended my father’s funeral. The youngest were two years old and three years old. All fourteen great grandchildren were there. My father adored them all and my mother wanted them there. Most of them attended my mother’s funeral last week, but they were six years older and the youngest there was nine. Having said that, both funerals were only about 40 minutes long as they were held at the crematorium and both focused very much on the grandparents children knew alongside the religious aspects. One of the twins in New Zealand became upset upon hearing the news about Great Nana, and worried that we, his grandparents might die. Love and reassurance was given, but we cannot shield children from death, it’s part of life.
Catherine and William will make this decision in the best interests of George. Only they know their child and if he will cope. Some of the Queen’s other great grandchildren have been seen already in Westminster Hall, but that would have been for a much shorter time. It’s nothing to do with us. Every family makes their own decision with regard to funerals and children.

Obviously it’s up to his parents. Probably the private part of it at Windsor without the crowds might be a better option.

I agree with Monica. It's part of life. I remember at 9 our whole class attended the funeral of a classmate's grandfather.

Then again, I had all my children at the births of their siblings, which is something not everyone would do either. But, it's part of life and holds special memories for them.

Us Brits are not generally good with talking about death, hence why some are not comfortable with saying so and so has died . Passed, departed, lost are frequently used instead of the D word.

If death is handled sensitively by the parents I see no reason for children not to attend family funerals.

I have a dear friend who had never attended a funeral until that og her Fathers (she was mid 50’s) she was doubly traumatised not only by the death of her Father but also by the funeral itself.

I agree that a very long day on display in front of trillions of people is not like a private family funeral, and could be very difficult for young children. That's why I said that I hope they can find a way for them to be on the side lines rather than on full display to the public for the whole day.

These children are growing up with ‘public show’ as part of their development. PG seems to have loving, child centred parents. It’s up to them, not courtiers or news papers to decide. There’s no way PG won’t have seen tv images, heard discussion about his father and uncle Harry etc.
If he goes, I hope it’s to a small, rather more private part of the day. In my family, he’d with with his sister and maternal grandparents. This isn’t any ordinary family, or ordinary funeral

Do you suppose in 20+years one of those children might possibly be saying "I went because it seemed to be what was expected of me, but it haunts me to this day?"
Just wondering.

rafichagran

How unpleasant Gloriany Its up to the parents to decide. My Grandson aged 8 or 9 went to his Great Grandmothers funeral. He was well behaved and respectful.
I know it's not the same as the Queens is a state funeral, but I think we should respect the parents desition.

No objections to children attending funerals that are quiet family affairs.. It's the public show I object to.

DD, aged 9, went to my mother's funeral so I think both George and Charlotte could attend the ceremony at Windsor at their parents' discretion.
Perhaps the ceremony at Westminster might be too much for a child but I'm sure their parents will do what they think is best for the children.